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. Get our free mobile appThe DNR is urging hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees while scouting. Why Ash Trees Are the Wrong ChoiceMost ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are already dead or dying, and infestations are spreading fast up north. "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.