If you have problems with people hunting in your tree stand, or stealing your stand, use a Y-board for the stand and "Sky hooks" instead of rope steps to get into the tree.   You can buy them here:

http://www.treestand.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AOTLB20

You take the Sky hooks off  the lag bolt once your done hunting, then nobody can get into the tree.   You can buy Sky hooks from Cabelas or Sportman's Guide.   The Sky hooks use Lag bolds to screw into a tree (or a 4x4), and then you hook your step on the lag bolt.  I used a 4x4 here because it was only $8 or $10 and I had a metal climbing stick trashed at this particular stand site, by someone.  The climbing stick was $40 buck, so this was my tamper resistent work around.  Note somebody malicious can cut the 4x4 or remove the lags or do other stupid things, but they will have to have tools with them.  Chap.