Should I be concerned about ticks while hunting in Ohio?

Tick Habitat and Seasonality in Ohio

Ohio’s ticks are most active during the spring and fall seasons, when temperatures are mild and humidity is high. They thrive in areas with dense vegetation, leaf litter, and moisture, making wooded areas and brushy fields ideal tick habitats. In Ohio, the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the primary species that transmits Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

Preventing Tick Bites During Ohio Deer Hunting

To minimize the risk of tick bites during Ohio deer hunting, wear protective clothing, including tick-repellent sprays or permethrin-treated gear, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tucking pant legs into socks and using tick-repellent wipes or sprays on exposed skin can also help prevent bites. Regularly inspect your body for attached ticks, especially after being in tick-prone areas.

Identifying and Removing Attached Ticks

Recognize the signs of a tick bite: a small, circular red rash or a hard, flat tick attached to your skin. To remove an attached tick, grasp it with fine-tipped tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull upwards with steady, even pressure. Avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly, heat, or cold, which can cause the tick to burrow deeper into your skin. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water and monitor for signs of infection.