even with the cold weather their still going to be on the deer,not all deer ticks carry the L.D. just be careful when cleaning the deer, if biten the tick has to be attached for around 24 hour and have the L.D. before you can get it.my brother had L.D. a few years ago from a tick,he was biten in late jan. and didn't get sick til around mar.it like to have got the best of him.doc. said if he hadn't been a bigman,it would have, but don't let that keep you from bustingbig boy. be safe & good luck.