Early Season Bowhunters?
 

A boring topic but one I am always worried about here in VA with the high temperatures and amount of ticks during the early season. The research in the attached link sounds promising.

Has anyone here ever had or known anyone infected with Lyme Disease? I know the numbers have been on the rise and I tend to worry about it a little more because I'm taking the kids to the woods.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319193029.htm

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

I was talking to some guys about this the other day while shooting 3D. I have NEVER seen a tick on a deer here in the part of NC I hunt. Just never seen one.

I don't know of anyone contracting Lyme disease....but a neighbor contracted Rocky mtn. Spotted fever several years ago.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

Yup, and there have been people on this board that had or or someone in their family. I know I think it was FlHuntress' husband had and they didn't detect or determine what it was for sometime. It had really gotten a hold of him. He was pretty much useless for 3 years. You can get it in your yard. Bad stuff.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

Yes, a family friend was always complaining about this ailment or that one. Everyone thought she was a hypocondriac(sp?). It was several years before they figured out what it was. Luckily, she is still around.

Ticswere bad around here last year, the buck I shot in October had his ears covered with them. During the summer when I was putting up stands I had to check, check, and check again. The damn seed ticks were terrible[:@]

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

I know several people with Lymes disease and some are fine, others have some difficulties. It really depends on when it's diagnosed. Problem is, most doctors don't know to look for it. Many times it's misdiagnosed for Parkisons (sp) and MS. If caught early, it's very treatable. If left unchecked, it can be very difficult resulting in a variety of issues.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

I am a tick hater!! We have a lot of ticks here during the early season. We USE a tick repellent on are clothes. We have to spray it on a day or two before we go out and it works great. I cant remember what it is called but it starts with a P I think permaione and you can get it at Wal-Mart in the sports section.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

Unfortunately I've seen allot of deer ticks here in Minnesota where I hunt. So far none of us or anyone I know has gotten the disease but we are very careful also when watching out for these tiny little devils!

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

Lots of deer ticks in MN and always see deer with ticks on them. A family friend got lymes but caught it very early on so no side effects.

I think this year the dog and I are going to share doses of Frontline, I'll put it between her shoulder blades and she'll put it between mine, that way I cant lick it off[8D]

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

A guy my cousin knows had lyme disease... almost died lost 85 lbs he was 200 lbs could hardly stand up... this was 4 years ago and he is still recovering... lyme disease is ascary thing. [:@]

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

I got it in early October this year I caught it early enough and had to take pills for 14 days.Everytime you come in from the wood you have to do a tick check. I pick them off my kids in the summer. It's not bad if you keep a watchfull eye on it.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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!!!!!

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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!

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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.

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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]

RE: Early Season Bowhunters?
 

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.