I have left stands on public land before but not over a couple days and definitely not on the tree. I think thats where folks mess up. Hide it in a blowdown or something, cover it up. Get there early enough to have time to put it on the tree quietly. Still taking a chance, but not nearly as much as leaving it on the tree. Stands on trees stick out and are easy to see even from a distance. I have al older Summit Shooter 2 climber and it weighs about 22lbs. Definitely not fun to carry a mile back on the woods.