Wisconsin DNR Issues an Urgent Warning for Deer Hunters This Fall

Few fall traditions are woven into Wisconsin life quite like deer hunting. Every year, hunters buy roughly 790,000 deer-hunting privileges statewide, and they register nearly 300,000 deer across the combined seasons. It's part sport, part heritage and, for a lot of families, the highlight of the year.

It's also big business. The average gun hunter spends around $375 on gear, gas, food, lodging, and licenses, which amounts to more than $252 million for Wisconsin's economy each year.

By total harvest, the state ranks among the top five in the country, so Wisconsin is a genuine deer-hunting heavyweight.

A New Season Means a New Round of Prep

With the fall seasons approaching, hunters are already out scouting properties, checking trail cameras and picking spots for their stands. And this year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a timely and important reminder that comes down to a single decision: where you place that stand.

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The DNR is urging hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees while scouting. The reason is a tiny, destructive invader — the emerald ash borer — that has quietly hollowed out much of the state's ash population.

Why Ash Trees Are the Wrong Choice

Most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are already dead or dying, and infestations are spreading fast up north. The pest has now been confirmed in all 72 Wisconsin counties, and infested trees can unexpectedly snap or drop heavy branches.

"Dead and dying ash trees are structurally weaker than healthy trees, so they are not safe places to put deer stands," said Bill McNee, a DNR Forest Health Specialist.

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Because it's often hard to tell if a tree is infested, the DNR recommends choosing a different type of tree altogether — and staying alert around ash on the ground, especially on windy days.

Tree Stand Safety Never Takes a Season Off

The warning lands on top of a sobering statistic: the DNR notes that one in four bowhunters has experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand.

Regardless of the tree, the agency urges hunters to wear a full-body harness, keep three points of contact while climbing, use a haul line for unloaded gear, and stay connected to a lifeline the entire time.

A little planning now can make all the difference in November. The best hunt is the one you walk away from, so this fall, pick your tree as carefully as you pick your spot.