I agree.in my experience, mature bucks don't pay much attention to ladder stands IF they have been there for a while...I wouldn't expect to throw one up and kill a big one the next day with a ladder, but a lock-on I wouldn't hesitate to sit in it the same day it's hung
I have a couple 8 and 10 foot ladders.
I hide them well and just use them to shoot over heavy cover.
Deer can't really see them and never walk right by them.
I think they kinda pick out the Stand Alone ,easily seen ladders and tend to glace up as soon as they walk in sight..might just be me but I like to hide..
thanks for the responses. im goingto mainly loc ons. just hating setting them up an sometimes it nice just to easly climb up in a ladder.