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DNR urges tree stand safety as ash trees weaken | Bob Schuh

Bob Schuh’s column also includes tree stand safety tips, the Maribel Sportsmen’s Club archery tournament and a visit to Lincoln Park Zoo.

Bob Schuh

Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Aug. 23, 2026, 4:59 a.m. CT

Wisconsin DNR warns deer hunters to avoid ash trees: Bob Schuh column

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  • Wisconsin hunters are advised to avoid placing deer stands in ash trees because of emerald ash borer infestations.
  • Dead and dying ash trees are structurally weak and can unexpectedly snap or drop branches.
  • Hunters should always use a full-body harness and a haul line for equipment when using any tree stand.
  • To help limit the spread of pests, hunters should obtain firewood near where they plan to burn it.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees as they scout properties ahead of the upcoming deer hunting season.

Most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are dead or dying because of emerald ash borer, and infestations in northern Wisconsin are spreading rapidly. Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 72 Wisconsin counties, and unreported infestations also are likely present.

Trees infested with emerald ash borer can unexpectedly snap or drop large branches. Hunters also should be cautious around ash trees while on the ground, especially in windy conditions, because affected trees are susceptible to branch and stem breakage.

https://4da4236714a9a65911ce5df6b6dcbfaa.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.htmlRead last week’s column: Wisconsin DNR asks public to report deer, game bird sightings

“Dead and dying ash trees are structurally weaker than healthy trees, so they are not safe places to put deer stands,” said Bill McNee, DNR forest health specialist. “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.”Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Research shows one in four bowhunters has experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand. Hunters can help keep themselves safe by following basic tree stand safety rules, regardless of the type of tree selected.

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Tree stand safety tips for Wisconsin deer hunters

  • Always wear a full-body harness (also known as a fall-arrest system). Connect to your tether line and keep that line short. The tether is designed to keep the hunter in their seat, not to catch them after they fall.
  • Always have three points of contact while climbing into and out of the tree stand, whether it’s two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
  • Always use a haul line to raise and lower an unloaded firearm or bow into and out of the stand. The haul line can also be used to haul other things, such as a heavy backpack.
  • Use a lifeline when climbing up and down, being sure to remain connected from the time you leave the ground to the time you put your feet on the ground.
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The DNR offers a webpage with additional tree stand safety information, including a brief tree stand safety course.Read more in Outdoors: Click here for the latest headlines in Outdoors

How to identify ash trees before hanging a deer stand

  • Opposite branching patterns, with two branches coming off the main stem directly across from one another.
  • Compound leaves with 5-11 leaflets.
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More about ash trees and how to identify them is available on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology’s Emerald Ash Borer webpage.

How hunters can help limit the spread of emerald ash borer

When traveling for hunting season, obtain firewood close to where it will be burned to reduce the chance of spreading tree-killing insects and diseases such as emerald ash borer, spongy moth and oak wilt.

Dry firewood with loose bark has the lowest risk of spreading harmful insects or diseases. Purchasing certified firewood is another option because it is widely available and is seasoned or treated to eliminate pests and diseases. Bundles of certified firewood have a printed certification label.

More about emerald ash borer, signs and symptoms of infestation and where the pest has been found is available on the DNR’s Emerald Ash Borer webpage.

Wisconsin deer hunting dates: 2026 seasons

Here are key 2026 Wisconsin deer hunting season dates, according to the Wisconsin DNR:

  • Archery and crossbow: Sept. 12-Jan. 3, 2027.
  • Archery and crossbow in metro subunits and counties with extended archery seasons: Sept. 12-Jan. 31, 2027.
  • Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities: Oct. 3-11. This is not a statewide season.
  • Youth/disabled gun deer hunt: Oct. 10-11.
  • Gun deer hunt: Nov. 21-29.
  • Gun deer hunt in metro subunits only: Nov. 21-Dec. 9.
  • Muzzleloader: Nov. 30-Dec. 9.
  • December four-day antlerless-only hunt: Dec. 10-13.
  • Antlerless-only holiday hunt: Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2027. Open only in select Farmland Zone 2 counties.

Note: No bucks may be harvested during antlerless-only hunts. Dates are subject to change through rulemaking or legislative action, so hunters should check the Wisconsin hunting regulations for complete dates, unit designations and county-specific rules.