With Lyme Disease carrying ticks all over the place here in the central-east, I'm starting to fret about the possible risk of transporting dead birds and other game animals in the handy game carrying pockets on the back of my hunting jackets and orange vests. It seems to me the ticks will drop off the cooling animal and start looking for another place to attach and, since it seems they can live nearly forever without feeding, that they could end up on me or a family member a long time later. Or right away, whatever. Has anyone else considered this?
Tick hazard from carrying shot game?
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
Found a fully engorged tick near the weeny of my deer a couple years ago as I was field dressing it, cut that s*h|t off and took deer home. Have had ticks follow me home from the range a few times, found a couple in the truck and one made it to my bathroom probably off my clothes and freaked the wife out as it was crawling up the bathroom door a day or so later. For birds it never crossed my mind, waterfowl don't see it as an issue and for grouse the wings are stepped on and legs pulled right after the shot and that delicious breast meat hits a Ziploc baggie. I would think birds would be eating ticks on the ground or when grooming themselves but I don't really know if that is true or not.
MIRAMICHIER
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Miramichi,Nb
What is doxycycline antibiotic is it a prescription from a Doctor ????
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I’ve yet to see ticks on upland birds but I could see it happening if it was a bad year for them, I see ticks on my deer every year.
Yes, it is an orally taken antibiotic. I personally wouldn't take it in prevention as an antibiotic all year round as Medvedqc recommended because it may result in lesser effectiveness of prescribed antibiotics at a later date. However I would contact my personal doctor and see what their learned opinion is before taking medical advice from strangers on the internet.
It has not crossed my mind ... until now ...
You mentioned that you hunt in central-east ... what is the nearest town/city? I have not noticed any ticks camping in Huntsville, South River, Bancroft ... How far east are you?
this was 2017, expect ranges to have grown
Thank you! That explains why I haven't seen any. I also spend a lot of time in Sault Ste. Marie area too ... and I notice that there are none up there either.
As far as I'm concerned those maps are total BS. I've run into different folks who got Lyme from areas not coloured yellow. I've even been told by a doctor of one person he dealt with who was from Thunder Bay who had Lyme. As far as I'm concerned if you are in Ontario you are at risk.
As for getting Lyme from dead game I have no doubt that is how I got it. In 1999 in Grey County I skinned most of the deer our gang shot. At the time I didn't know it but I had the symptoms develop but passed them off as a cold or flu as it was winter. It took 10 years to get diagnosed with a blood sample sent to the US. I never found a tick on me and haven't seen one.
I am asked every few months to talk to folks who have a relative or friend who may have Lyme. This is in Bruce County which according to the map is not a risk area. I have met folks who have got Lyme in this supposed free of risk area. The local Health Unit says there have been no persons diagnosed with Lyme in Grey and Bruce Counties. They don't tell you that is because you have to get the diagnosis done outside these counties.
As for getting Lyme from dead game I have no doubt that is how I got it. In 1999 in Grey County I skinned most of the deer our gang shot. At the time I didn't know it but I had the symptoms develop but passed them off as a cold or flu as it was winter. It took 10 years to get diagnosed with a blood sample sent to the US. I never found a tick on me and haven't seen one.
I am asked every few months to talk to folks who have a relative or friend who may have Lyme. This is in Bruce County which according to the map is not a risk area. I have met folks who have got Lyme in this supposed free of risk area. The local Health Unit says there have been no persons diagnosed with Lyme in Grey and Bruce Counties. They don't tell you that is because you have to get the diagnosis done outside these counties.
You looked at pictures and didnt read...areas shown are the higehest risk. Ticks can be encountered anywhere in Ontario where favourable conditions exist
Yup...
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
What if anything will stop the spread?
About a week of -30°
jmichelin84
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Big Land, nL
Bloody hell, you guys talking about ticks got me checking, itching with the thought of them crawling on me z d j damn near took my nipple off in the dark, now I'll dream about them all night lol.
That poor deer I'd try to help it if I could
That poor deer I'd try to help it if I could
jmichelin84
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Big Land, nL
Is it poison to dogs? I have a German Shepherd pup, he slept in my coat last night lol
it was a joke and i forget the LOL.
but this is actually the only antibiotic that works if taken in time.
yes you need to see a doctor but most of the blood test may show it a little too late.
now -30c for a week are not killing ticks, we are starting to see lyme disease in the Yukon ... coming from the south but who knows ...
