Madison Reporter

Hunters in Wisconsin are being urged by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees as they prepare for the upcoming deer hunting season. The warning comes as emerald ash borer infestations continue to affect ash trees across the state.

The DNR reports that most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are either dead or dying due to the emerald ash borer, and infestations are increasing in northern areas. The invasive insect has now been confirmed in all 72 counties, and officials believe there may be additional unreported cases.

Placing tree stands in infested ash trees poses a safety risk. Trees weakened by emerald ash borer can break unexpectedly or drop large branches, which could result in serious injuries for hunters. This risk is present not only when climbing into tree stands but also when walking near these trees, especially during windy conditions.

Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, emphasized the danger: “Dead and dying ash trees are structurally weaker than healthy trees, so they are not safe places to put deer stands. In many cases, it can be hard to tell if a tree has been infested by emerald ash borer, so hunters should place deer stands in other types of trees instead.”

Tree stand accidents remain a leading cause of serious injury among deer hunters. Research indicates that one out of every four bowhunters has experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand. To help reduce these incidents, the DNR recommends following basic safety practices regardless of tree type:

- Always wear a full-body harness (fall-arrest system), connect to your tether line, and keep it short.

- Maintain three points of contact while climbing—using either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand.

- Use a haul line to raise and lower unloaded firearms or bows and other equipment.

- Stay connected with a lifeline from leaving the ground until returning.

Additional guidance on tree stand safety is available through resources provided by the DNR’s website.

For those uncertain about identifying ash trees, key features include opposite branching patterns—where two branches grow directly across from each other—and compound leaves with five to eleven leaflets. More details on identification can be found at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology’s Emerald Ash Borer webpage (https://eab.russell.wisc.edu/).

The DNR also advises hunters traveling for hunting season to obtain firewood close to where it will be burned. This practice helps prevent spreading pests like emerald ash borer, spongy moths, and oak wilt throughout Wisconsin forests. Using dry firewood with loose bark reduces this risk further; certified firewood—which is treated or seasoned to eliminate pests—is widely available and labeled accordingly.

Information about emerald ash borer symptoms and current infestation locations can be accessed via the DNR's Emerald Ash Borer webpage (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/foresthealth/emeraldashborer).

Hunters are encouraged to stay informed about forest health issues affecting their safety as well as Wisconsin’s natural resources.