I have one climber and it goes where I go...can't get stolen, harder for guys to know where I hunt, I can follow the freshest sign, can make the necessary adjustments as foilage decreases and rut patterns develop, have over 50 stand locations marked on gps...so in short, no, I cannot emphatize haha!
On top of that a few of my hunting locations are infested with rattlesnakes and I don't particulary enjoy the swamp ass, mosquito and fly bites, and spider web facials that accompany any summer trip to the woods!
Yup trail cams and stand maintenance. I hunt all private too so my stands are out all year. Some I may move or cut better shooting lanes now too. I'm like you 2-3 weeks prior to opener you won't find me in the woods.
Waste of time? My most productive stands have been hung in the same trees for 12 years?
Why stink up the place a day before the season?
I won't go anywhere near a few stands until the first week of November and only then with a good wind.