Don’t fear the ticks or the woods but please be aware they are out there.

I got a big, fully engorged one on my stomach yesterday and I pulled it with a tick key I keep in my truck. I’ll monitor it for a Lyme rash but do far no bulls eye.

Ticks and Lyme disease are a growing part of life with our changing climate. Better management of our forests and pastures including controlled burns, timber harvests and removal of invasive species can help reduce the tick threat but not eliminate it.

Life is to be lived and enjoyed, not worry much about wearing out the bearings in your body. Face it, you’re going to wear out eventually and be landfill in a cemetery or incinerated in a crematory just like everything else in this world. None of us are going to live forever, so get out, take risks enjoy the wilderness.

But definitely use DEET or Picardin. The later is wonderful, much less nasty than DEET. Carry a tick key, check for ticks and bulls eye rashes. Go to your doctor if you think you have Lyme disease. But most importantly, enjoy life and woods while you still can.