"That tap-tap of metal on metal -- like your barrel on the rail -- the deer will bust you every time on that," he said. "The last five or six years, more of those stands have come out with some kind of foam covering the rail, but you can also get some of the foam insulation that covers plumbing pipes and cover the rail with that, or you can duct tape over the metal."

TREE STAND EXTRAS
Pye stresses that safety should be a tremendous concern to all hunters who use tree stands. He advises not only using a safety harness at all times while you're in the stand, but also while putting the stand up and climbing into it. And a single rope doesn't make a safety system, he said.

He also advises hunters to carry with them a kit to help set up and repair stands. It can be as little as a plastic bag or fanny pack, but there are several items that Pye said he won't go into the woods without.

"A perfect tree stand kit will have a portable hand saw or some pruning shears for cutting limbs and brush around the site, a length of rope so you can pull your bow or gun up into the stand, and extra wing nuts or bolts that fit your stand in case you need one," he said.

"Also, don't forget to take a small pair of vice-grip pliers, or maybe a Leatherman tool in your kit, some of the foam pipe-insulation in case you need to make repairs, and I like to carry a roll of duct tape in case I need to cover up any metal that I might bang into and make noise."

This year, as you scout your deer hunting sites, consider the requirements of the site, your weapon, how far in you have to get the stand and how often you have to move that stand. If you choose the right type of stand for the job, you'll be a happier, safer and, in all likelihood, a more successful deer hunter.