Tree stands

Construction of a permanent tree stand or permanent steps to a tree stand is prohibited on sovereign lands. Portable tree stands, portable steps, screw-in steps, natural tree stands, and portable ground blinds may be used. Portable tree stands, blinds, game cameras, or traps are required to have the owner's name, city, and phone number on the items and be visible at all times while present on state sovereign lands. Portable tree stands and portable steps are defined as those that are held to the tree with ropes, straps, cables, chains, or bars. Screw-in steps are those that are screwed into the tree by hand without the aid of tools. Ladder-type stands that lean against the tree are portable stands. Natural stands are those crotches, trunks, down trees, etc., where no platform is used. Tree stands do not preempt hunting rights of others in the vicinity of the tree stand. Tree stands and steps may not be put up before August twentieth and must be removed within three days of the close of the archery deer season. Stands and steps not removed within three days of the close of the archery deer season are considered abandoned property and are subject to removal and confiscation by the department. A person who violates this section is guilty of a noncriminal offense and shall pay a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars per tree stand.