This is something I have to put up with where I hunt year round including rattlesnakes(I've seen it in the high 90's during mid December). I wouldn't worry too much about it though. It's the same as worrying you might step on a mesquite thorn and get hospitalized with a joint infection(happened to someone I know). We are all aware of the inherent risks when entering the woods; I just count that as one of them. Besides, from what I know, the ticks must be attached to you for approx. 24 hours before you can contract the disease. Therefore, if you just make sure to check yourself at the end of the day, you should be fine.

ACtually if you look at a geographic concentration, it's most prevalent in the northern mid-western states, MN and WI, and then along the Northern Atlantic Coastal states, CT, PA, MD, NY, NH, DE. NH, DE, and CT have the highest prevalence of all states, wit h 46-56 cases reported per 100,000 people. VA only has about 4.7 cases per 100,000 people. Not saying you shouldn't worry about it, but it's pretty rare in most states. In OH it's about 4 people in 1,000,000 that will have it each year!!!!!

I figured as much as far as the actual numbersbut I still thought the article was interesting since an "ounce of prevention is worth"......you know the rest.

I hate those little blood suckers, I must have Ticko-Fobia.
Yah - parts of NH have them, mostly southern areas, once you get past the White Mtns. your pretty safe.
I have a few friends dogs that have been affected along with one older friend.
My older friend was affected pretty drasically almost like a stroke, he's better now, but not the same.
Definately be careful!

Lots of ticks in area's close to me.The closer you get to the Hudson River the greater the concentration of ticks in my area.Peramone is the stuff that works very well.Sprayed clothing must be permitted to completely dry before it can be worn and it is supposed to last through at least two washings.I wonder how good it is to have that stuff touching your skin? I have used it sparingly and I know of folks that use it extensively.It works.

I am the safety coordinator for my technician group at work, and I just finished a presentation on insect & snake bite in regard to the work place. In regard to Ticks, the following are recommended:[/align][/align]1. Use an insect repellant that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) and Permethrin.[/align]2. Cover your body with as much clothing as possible, and wear a hat.[/align]3. Ticks (& mosquitoes) are attracted to dark colored clothing, so where light clothing when possible. (Also helps in seeing ticks)[/align]4. Tuck pants into socks and boots.[/align][/align]In regards to hunting, I would recommend getting a bug suit. I purchased a mesh oversuit in a realtree patternfor an Alaska hunt to protect myself from mosquitoes on the north slopes. It worked like a charm and paid for itself right off. If scent control is a concern, they make "scent free" bug repellant[/align][/align]Ticks are slow feeders, and can take up to 36hrs for disease transmission. This makes early tick removal crucial.[/align]1. Check yourself for ticks often when outdoors.[/align]2. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers:[/align] - Grasp or "pinch" the tick & skinbetween your fingers[/align] - Grab the tick with tweezers, andwith a steady motion pull the tickstraight up and away from the skin[/align] - Apply an antiseptic to the bite area[/align]3. DO NOT use a hot match, petroleum jelly, nail polish or other products to remove the tick.[/align][/align]I hope this information helps [/align]

Yep Im with Shultzy and MNPurple on this one. Every deer I shot in the last few years had ticks on them. Mostly deer ticks also. My brother in law had lymes disease, my best man in my wedding, aneighbor to us at hunt camp. Just to think of a few. It is more comon than most think. At least up this way. I am talking about deer killed in MN in November also.