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.
“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.”
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.
Tree stand safety tips for Wisconsin deer hunters
The DNR offers a webpage with additional tree stand safety information, including a brief tree stand safety course.
How to identify ash trees before hanging a deer stand
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:
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.
Maribel Sportsmen’s Club fall archery tournament is Aug. 29-30
Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will hold its fall archery tournament Aug. 29 and 30. Registration is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
The course features 30 3D targets through a mostly wooded area.
Questions can be directed to Rodney Gove at rrg54228@yahoo.com or 920-901-2654.
Maribel Sportsmen’s Club is next to Interstate 43 at exit 164, State 147, in Maribel.
Lincoln Park Zoo in Manitowoc offers active animals and family fun
Last week, Mary and I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Manitowoc, where we met my daughter, Ashley, and her four children.
We arrived a bit before 9 a.m. and immediately heard the excited yipping of the coyotes, probably because it was feeding time. Many of the animals were active on the cool morning.
Two rams were butting horns. One would stand on its hind legs and come down hard on the other, trying to show dominance. Their hooves clacked on the wooden structure built for them. Even with the fighting, neither ram lost its balance.
We had never seen the zoo so busy, with many families visiting with children and grandchildren.
If you haven’t been to Lincoln Park Zoo in a while, make sure to go take a look. Every year, there seems to be something new.
After the zoo, we had one more stop to make as this grandpa treated the group to ice cream at Dairy Queen. No wonder they come running for a hug when they see this old grandpa!
That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.
Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. Reach him at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: DNR urges tree stand safety as ash trees weaken | Bob Schuh
Reporting by Bob Schuh, Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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By Bob Schuh, Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | USA TODAY Network
