I've done it many a times. Once, I was so mad and didn't have time to go get one, so I collected cans and bottles out of the ditches and made one. it was a beaut, truly amazing piece of art that I wish I still had. Someone shot it down that year I found a stand the weekend before Shot gun season, and I wasn't going to be able to be there opening day, so i'm sure it was glorious as the trespasser sat in the dark listening to chimes of ol' Happy.
Sounds like they set their own bait, hang some camera's watching those stands and you will have them on camera. Hope you catch them