deer ticks

[rick]

Im watching a show about ticks on deer. The 3 and 1/2 year old buck I shot this year had at least 7 ticks on it that i saw. This was the first time I have noticed ticks on a deer that I had shot. Are they something that all deer have and I just haven't noticed them or are they unusual. Are they on the increase?
Maybee ticks will be our next major problem with our deer herd. I hung my hide and beat the crap out of it with a board before taking it to the taxi. They are some nasty looking little suckers.

[rick]

Sorry Steve I meant to post this on the deer forum

[boehr]

Deer ticks, wood ticks and a few others have been around for a long time. From my experience as the body temp cools they will leave on their own. Bears have a lot of ticks on them especially early in September. I'm guessing you probably shot your deer the first half of October because you are less likely to find them later in the season. I have no knowledge of them creating any effect as far as causing concern eating venison. If you do get them on you it can give you problems (Lime Disease). When I worked in the U.P. officers would have kind of like contest as to who had the most wood ticks of them while going through the woods in the summer, if memory serves correctly 30 something was the record. My whole family has had wood ticks sucking blood at one time or another.

[This message has been edited by boehr (edited 01-25-2001).]

[bigmountain]

In Baldwin last Spring Turkey season, I was infested with Ticks. I have never seen them this bad before. I would find one crawling up my leg and then look at my arm and see one crawling up there too. They were so bad that I ended my hunt early because they were getting everywhere. I think they are on a rise just based on my own experience.

[Recurve]

I haven't seen a tick since moving to Michigan from Florida. Deer ticks are the ones that are dangerous for carrying Lymes disease. They seem to be more of a problem in New England and Middle Atlantic states. Interestingly enough, I understand mice are affected by the same type of tick. In Florida, my sister's lab used to get them (common brown tick) but her 3 cats were unaffected. I don't know how many varities Michigan has. I have taken three deer in the last two seasons and no ticks, mid Oct to early Nov.

Ticks are opportunistic parasites, they'll hitch a ride on a host and stay until full. They are quite small but get peanut sized when full of blood. They'll make the fur stand up like a cowlick. If one had just attached you probably wouldn't see it. Usually, if there is one, there will be more. Lymes disease is spread by the tick bite not the venison so you don't have to worry about that. Also, ticks will drop off (leave) a dead animal because it's the blood they are after. If you or your animal gets bit by a tick remove it carefully with a pair of tweezers by grabbing it close to the skin and pulling it off whole. Do not try to burn it off with a cigarette. Clean the area with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. If you see any signs of a red ring or rash see the doc or vet immediately. I believe there is also a vacine for Lymes near approval by the FDA. Ticks are a creepy creature right out of Pandora's Box.