Backyard Bowhunters Are Slowing Spread of Lyme

by
posted on September 23, 2014
mehall_ah2015_fs.jpg (50)

undefinedWhen I contracted Lyme disease in Maryland 15 years ago, I wrote about my experience in NRA Publications to help increase awareness of the disease within the hunting community. When you consider the rise in deer populations throughout the East since then—and and the fact we hunters tend to spend our free time in the woods—the threat remains very real. Scientists now say one way to combat Lyme is through urban deer culls.

Scientists with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division recently published a 13-year study involving two areas in Connecticut where urban culls were highly effective in slowing the spread of Lyme. When hunting decreased deer populations from 8 to 5.1 animals per square mile, residents reported an 80 percent decrease in cases of Lyme.

One of the co-authors behind the study, Howard Kilpatrick, explained there now are only two or three reported cases of Lyme disease a year compared to 10 times that number when deer populations were at their peak. He attributed much of that change to bowhunting season in the two communities.

Of course, the study points to what we hunters already know: that hunting is a necessary wildlife management tool that can be one of the best ways we’ve got to thwart the most common tick-borne disease in North America. Moral of the story: Be a backyard bowhunter!

Latest

SUPPORTZF 45 27X50i Cam 03 Preview 01
SUPPORTZF 45 27X50i Cam 03 Preview 01

New for 2023: GPO Spectra 4.5-27x50i SFP

The German Precision Optics (GPO) Spectra 4.5-27x50i SFP is built for those who hunt game in environments where shooting at extended ranges is often required.

#SundayGunday: Davidson’s Pietta 1873 Great Western II

Get a closer look at the Davidson’s Pietta 1873 Great Western II, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Recipe: Fettucine with Ricotta and Venison Sauce

Contributor Brad Fenson gives his readers a hearty pasta sauce recipe to help round out the cold winter months.

Garmin Introduces Updated Navigation Devices

Garmin has announced the GPSMAP 67 Series and the eTrex SE. These rugged GPS handhelds are packed with tools to help find the way, while enhanced battery life supports longer expeditions.

First Look: Scent Thief Olfactory Eliminator

Scent Thief is out to revolutionize scent control for hunters and trappers. Rather than cover human odor, Scent Thief’s patented “No-Smell” technology shuts down an animal’s ability to smell.

First Look: Burris Signature LRF 2000

Burris has bridged the gap between the company's advanced rangefinding riflescopes and rangefinding archery sights with the introduction of the Signature LRF 2000 handheld rangefinder.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.