Use some caution in the woods

[Bob]

I went out scouting turkeys first thing this morning and got covered with Ticks, I mean covered. I had six of them attached and I don't know how many all over me. I just didn't think about spraying or taking any other precautions. My camo is hanging in the garage I had to spray it down, tomorrow I will vaccume them, hopefully that will do it. It must be all the rain and warm weather that brought them out in force.

On a better note I did hear two gobblers at day break and I saw a jake walk by, I wasn't using a turkey call just an owl hooter, I worry about making them call shy. The jake would have been out of range even if the season was in, only five more days to go.

[Tusker]

In Addition, NVA is plagued with RABIES-- Fairfax, McLean, Don't know where else. Feral cats, and racoons-- WATCH OUT!!!

[allingeneral]

I don't think you can get rabies from a tick. However, to back up your rabies claim, below is a snippet from a story run in the Virginian Pilot a couple of days ago...

The thing to consider with ticks is Lyme Disease. Read everything you ever wanted to know about Lyme Disease

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/officia ... reat-grows
© April 3, 2008
By James Thomas Jr.
Correspondent

The sensitive barrier between humans and rabies exposure in Southside Hampton Roads is being threatened, according to local health officials and veterinarians.

Pets are the barrier to wildlife but due to increased development in recent years that protective barrier may be weakening.

"More people are moving into areas once completely rural; they set out garbage and animals are going to come looking for food," explained Lisa Wohlford, environmental health manager at the Western Tidewater Health District. "More people and pets are coming into contact with wild animals now because they're being forced out of their natural habitat."

State health officials back Wohlford's claim. The latest figures for animal rabies cases in Virginia show the highest numbers in the past 25 years.

In 2007, 730 cases of rabies were reported to the Virginia Department of Health. That is the highest it's been since 745 cases were reported in 1982.

The thing to consider with ticks is Lyme Disease.

[mroyal98]

Yea, ticks are a pain but what I REALLY hate is chiggers (red bugs).

[Vahunter]

Yea, ticks are a pain but what I REALLY hate is chiggers (red bugs).

I'll second that I work outside and during the summer I provide a food source for them. It's almost time for them to come out.

[Bob]

I hear ya, those chiggers have fed off me too. I never learn it happens every year, you think at my age I would know better.

Those ticks had a good time with me I must have twenty some bites all over, they itch like crazy. They walk around and bite before they attach them selves. I wasn't expecting them to be out this early in the year.

[VAJay]

I pulled a tick off me a couple weeks ago. Darn thing bit me before I knew it.

[Tusker]

I DO hope no one thought I was suggesting you could get Rabies from ticks?

[Bob]

I hope not Tusker, I knew exactly what you meant. I don't hear much about rabies around here, but about three years ago I had a rabid racoon that I shot.

I was walking down the creek bottom with my dog it was in the middle of the summer and in the middle of the day. The racoon was just stumbling around it never tried to climb a tree or get away. Lucky my dog listens good. I got her under control and took her up to the house, I told my wife I was going to shoot the racoon and to keep the dog inside.

When I got back down there it was still there so I shot it. I came back home and wanting to be a good guy I called the health dept. I told them I just shot this racoon and I was positive it had rabies. I asked them if they wanted me to bring it up to them, they said no, no, don't bring it here. So I said don't you want to know where it is or who I am, they they said no, so I said what do you want me to do with it, they said just bury it. They didn't want anything to do with it.

I thought I'm not burying this rabid racoon on my land so I got a shovel and a burlap bag, I didn't want to touch it, so I picked it up with the shovel and put it in the bag and threw it in the county dumpster. So much for the Health Dept.

[Tusker]

Damn! What county was THAT?!! Not much really scares me, but rabies does. And, I HATE Ticks!

[allingeneral]

I DO hope no one thought I was suggesting you could get Rabies from ticks?

Hmm...lol sorry, I misread what you said... I guess the "In addition" part of your earlier statement indicates that rabies is a wholly different problem, but somewhat related. Sorry for the confusion!

[Bob]

Wasn't that something Tusker, it was Campbell County Health Dept. I mentioned this to a lot of people around here some where upset and some said no big deal. I didn't like one bit.

Every word that I wrote is a fact thats exactly what happened, I couldn't believe it. The big mistake I made was not getting the name of the person I was talking to, that won't happen again.

The next time I have to deal with anyone from the government for any reason, I'll have a pencil and paper with me and write down their name.

[fiasconva]

The deer tick is very tiny, not much larger than a pencil point dot. Over 50% of the people never get the rash associated with a tick bite and lyme disease. As a person who got Lyme disease a few years ago, you need to be aware of it and if you have any symptoms, see a doctor. Mine was in the 2nd stage before I realized it and ,luckily, a round of antibiotics cured me. I had a hard time even mowing the yard without having to stop and rest so if you even think you are infected, get tested ASAP.

[skeeterss0]

Just trick I learned in the Marines. Before going in the woods blouse (tuck them under) a big rubber band or we used boot bands sold at the PX. When you blouse them stick a dogs flea colllar inside them. I used to use one flea collar cut it in half and you have a half for each leg.

Blouse your boots like this:






Hope this helps

[allingeneral]

Hmm...flea collars. That's an interesting idea. Thanks for sharing, Marine!

[Bob]

That flea coller is a good idea skeeter, I'll give it a try. I should of thought of that.

I sometimes use camo Duck tape around my pants and boots, that works real good.

When did they start calling it Duck Tape instead of Duct Tape, you can fix almost anything with it, great stuff.