Sitting in a tree stand the other night waiting for a black bear to arrive, the number of mosquitoes droning around my head amazed me. A national news story the previous evening regarding the growing number of cases of West Nile virus only added to my discomfort. Add to that several recent articles in newspapers, national sporting magazines, and medical journals, as well as radio and TV blurbs about ticks and increasing cases of Lyme disease and my comfort level deteriorated further still.
The greatest worry wading anglers and boaters dealt with 50 years ago encompassed having a leech, locally called blood suckers, latch on to a body. Fishermen and early season hunters used a liberal application of Uncle Bens to keep black flies, mosquitoes, and no-see-ums at bay, as well as any nearby person with acute olfactory senses. Even if a leech or biting insect did its worst, the only results were a bite mark, a little swelling and some itching.
Currently, if the right tick or female mosquito bites an outdoorsman, hiker, gardener or woodsman, severe illness and even death may be the result. While the odds of tick bites increase in southern Maine’s warmer climate, mosquitoes are prevalent in huge numbers throughout the Pine Tree State. The unusual warming trend the last couple of autumns likely will increase the tick threat in Aroostook as well as prolonging all insect seasons.
While the odds of contracting either of these diseases seems low, when you’re the one in the hospital odds fly out the window. Sportsmen and outdoor workers seem to have two alternatives: stay inside or protect yourself to the fullest extent possible. A close friend of mine was bitten while turkey hunting and it took almost two years and dozens of hospital visits and doctor’s appointments to finally diagnose Lyme disease. During that period he went from a strong, vibrant outdoorsman to an aching mass of skin and bones barely able to get around, let along enjoy any sporting activities.
Turkey, grouse, woodcock, deer, bear, and moose hunters all spend extended periods in the woods where the deer tick resides. Those sports sitting on a stand or hunkered in the brush, especially turkey, big game and waterfowl gunners, who must stay hidden and quiet for long periods become prime targets. For these folks, the first line of defense is offense.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, if cooler weather allows put on two layers. Tuck pants into socks, sleeves into gloves and always tuck in shirts. Wear a bandanna around the neck or outside the shirt collar. Apply liberal layers of insect repellent with a healthy percentage of DEET to exposed skin and even around ankles, wrists, and neck areas where clothes may separate to expose skin.
The chemical Permethrin kills ticks on contact, but should not be applied to bare skin, it can however by sprayed on clothing. A liberal application should last for several hunting trips. Several companies manufacture hunting and fishing clothing already impregnated with permethrin that lasts through dozens of washing. Check L.L.Bean, Bass Pro and Cabelas for these readymade repellent garments.
Since avoidance to the possible problem isn’t an option for devout sportsmen, awareness is the next best option. Inspect your body thoroughly after each outing, use a full-length mirror for a complete inspection. If a tick is located, remove it with firm, steady pressure from a set of tweezers, then place it in a small container of 70 percent alcohol and make an appointment with your doctor and take the offending bug along.
Not all ticks carry the virus, but symptoms of fever, joint pain, and severe muscle aches will occur within 24 to 48 hours of a bite by an infected tick. An expanding red rash will be the first sign of a problem if a tick escapes detection. Early detection and quick treatment with antibiotics will keep Lyme disease in check, but if missed or ignored the disease is debilitating.
During several random samplings of mosquitoes so far this summer, West Nile Virus (WNV) showed up twice here in Maine. So far it’s not widespread, but the territory seems to expand annually as do the numbers of those infected. As with the black fly and no-see-ums, mosquitoes seem to be kept at bay with applications of DEET infused repellents. Multiple applications should be applied for prolonged cast and blast outings and of course the less bare skin exposed the better to avoid bites.
Two other viable options to keep bugs at bay include a small butane-powered unit called a Thermacell. A repellent infused replaceable wafer in the lightweight appliance keeps a 15-square foot area bug free. There’s no odor to alert game animals and it has worked great each time I’ve used mine the last two years. The other protective option a number of my friends are using is a portable ground blind. Not only does a quick set-up ground blind keep insects outside it also keeps human scent inside and is far more comfortable than a tree stand.
Maine sportsmen must always be concerned with gun safety, water safety, and weather conditions, now insects enter the mix. Forewarned is forearmed, and for those that take precautions the threat is minimal, but as always it’s best to be aware and prepared.
