“lyme disease”

Be prepared when you enter the turkey woods this spring with this year's must-have gear.

While the art of last-minute scouting won’t soon disappear, most hunters know they’d be better served having been better prepared. The season’s end is the best time to get the drop on deer movement and behavior. And you don’t have to worry about busting your spot putting boots on the ground.

Here are a few tips to ensure your four-legged hunting companion stays as safe as possible in the field.

Data from a recent survey show there are now confirmed positive reports of Lyme disease in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, meaning hunters everywhere need to be more tick-aware.

Just the thought of ticks or chiggers is enough to make a grown man cringe in horror, but knowledge, preventive measures and common sense will help hunters avoid them.

New York’s Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies anticipates a bad year for ticks in the northeastern United States. Its predictions are based on a simple trend: more mice mean more ticks, and an increase in Lyme disease the following year.

Hunters, hikers and anyone that spends time outdoors are going to be exposed to ticks. It’s just part of the deal when we go outside. The more informed you are about these woodland pests the better you can deal with them and spend more time in the woods.

Hunting keeps deer populations in check while decreasing the incidents of tick-borne illnesses.

Spring squirrel hunting is a great way to expand your season and avoid the off-season blues.