Ticks

Just a heads up guys that some deer are absolutely full of ticks this year. I was at my buddy’s place tonight and he was removing the skin from the head of the buck that I shot yesterday so he can mount it. We were working in his basement and as the hide heated up, the ticks just came pouring out of it. Lost count after 50. Looked like both wood and deer ticks too. Also, another guy brought one over that was killed last night. After sitting in the warm basement for 30 minutes the ticks started crawling out of it as well.

Jake:

Pretty interesting stuff… I know when I have shot deer in the past, there have been multiple ticks adhered to the bottom of the neck!!! Impressive how many started walking around out of his deer… Wonder if those were embedded or just hanging out.

I know the local vet told me that until we get 3-4″ of snow or the ground freezes solid, those deer ticks are still around!!! Pretty amazing!!!

Mark

Mark,

It was pretty crazy how many of them came pouring out of his hide. And they were all over, not just in his neck area. What is crazy, is that he was out in the garage the night before and it had to have been below 25 degrees in there. However, when we got him in the heat they probably realized they needed another place to live decided to vacate the hide. Thought it would be a good heads up in case anyone was going to leave a cape/hide in a warmer garage/basement overnight.

In the picture there are 3 wood ticks and 1 wood tick that was super gorged on that bucks blood, but there were also several deer ticks on him as well.

Interesting. I’m not sure if it has something to do with the head area but a few years back I was skinning a deer head and they were all over me. a few deer ticks got me and I went to the doc. His response was that if they were there less than 24 hours and you dont have a ring around it, you’re fine. Mine where there for maybe an hour or two but I didnt mess around with it. THis post is a good reminder to check out stuff after you have anythign to do with deer clean up!

Also remember not all deer ticks carry lymes. I get bit by them and wood ticks every year, usually many times, and nothing has ever happened outside of nasty itchy bumps that lasts for several weeks. Sometimes longer.

Not surprised! I’ve had january derr, coyotes,… all have ticks, flras, and more. They are a warm body host.

I just shuddered. I like bugs, but man I HATE ticks!