WISCONSIN — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to not place deer stands in or near ash trees, as Wisconsin's 9-day gun season approaches.
Deer season is already underway, and the 9-day gun season will be here before we know it. That's why the DNR is taking the time now to ask hunters to protect themselves and the ash trees that are already dying from emerald ash borer infestation.
“Infested or dead ash trees are not as structurally sound as healthy trees, so they are not safe places to put deer stands,” said DNR Forest Health Specialist Bill McNee. “At this time of year, it can be hard to tell if a tree is infected, so hunters should place deer stands in other types of trees instead.”
The precautions from the DNR comes as tree stand accidents are the leading cause of serious injury for deer hunters.
The DNR said hunters should also be careful when they're near or underneath an ash tree, especially in windy conditions. These trees are much more susceptible to breaking due to the infestation.
