Galliform

I hear you. My experience is anecdotal only, as is yours... but I strongly suspect that they can live in a house/closet/whatever for longer than a few days. 3 months seems like a long time and I don't think that they would all live that long, but it was a surprising eye opener for me. This was an adult deer tick, by the way. I don't know how long nymphs would last.

Random trivia that is probably useless: that bone is called the baculum and is found in many mammal species.

It was always my understanding that tick populations were more closely linked to acorn mast and rodent populations than to winter conditions. Of course, though, they are more active when it's not bitter cold, and more people tend to be outside when the weather isn't brutal, so it seems like there are more ticks.

I once did an experiment with a deer tick I found crawling up my knee after hunting. I put it in a very tiny airtight glass tube, a medical grade one, to see how long it would live without water, a meal, or even fresh air. It lasted three months, and would 'follow' the warmth of my finger through the glass. Now, this is hardly a scientific analysis on the longevity of ticks, but it seems they can live a long time without water/feeding. If you can get your clothes into something that is truly airtight and you don't plan on using them until next fall, that might be okay. I've always been told that running clothes through a drier set on high heat was the best way to kill them if they are already on your clothes (or if you suspect some might be). Just make sure there are no scented drier sheets or anything in there, as I suspect you don't want your hunting clothes smelling pretty.

How cold was the meat when you discovered the problem? Any chance you tested some with a thermometer (I know not everyone has a meat thermometer)? You might be okay. Don't put yourself/family at harm, but fresh, carefully handled meat like your venison can be safe if it is not warm for too long, especially if your butcher was a clean production.

Sorry as this is a bit off topic, but this is a bit of a grey area in NY, especially concerning detached antlers or deadheads. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/legal_protection_pdf/11_01.pdf http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8305.html It also warrants mentioning that state laws vary. In some states it is quite illegal to sell antlers, even found sheds. Pennsylvania is one of those states. Harvested or found antlers originating from PA may not be sold in any way. I think Maryland is the same but I haven't looked the laws up in a while.

For those that like the warm weather, I hear taxes are much more reasonable down south...

Had to quit for today due to family obligations. Hunted most of the season with 1-3 other family members. I got about 40 hours in, my dad a bit less, with zero chances for a safe shot (on either bucks or does) between all of us. Not sure what we did wrong but I know the deer numbers are still there based on the sign. All my trailcam photos were at night for the last two weeks. Sad to miss out on the venison but thankful for the opportunity to hunt and spend time with family. Someday I'll invest in a smokepole so I can hunt the late season too. Good luck and safe wishes to those that hunt the late season! I will probably go chase some squirrels.

All quiet here. Mosquitoes bothering me on December 13th sure is weird.

Edit, sorry double post

Well done! Did a very careful still hunt with 2 family members today, spread out in case we bumped deer around. No one even got busted. At least it was a nice day, and my brother saw a fox.

Super overcast with misty fog passing through here in 9x. Two shots heard so far, neither close by. Still hunting some travel routes extra slowly, wind is in my favor.

Agreed, depending on your locality, ticks are a year-round concern in the woods, except perhaps during very bitter cold snaps. Better to always check yourself after going afield, regardless. Permethrin works very well, good move.

They are studying deer movements down in PA. This is very interesting, make sure to look through the archives as well. http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/projects/deer/news http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/projects/deer/news/2014/one-square-mile http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/projects/deer/news/2014/those-cunning-bucks There are many variables that change what a buck's (or any deer's) home range is, and I think as hunters we will all find that each property has unique variables.

True. I couldn't hunt big game in NY legally until I was 16 either. They have dropped it in the past. They may, again.

Had to call it quits early today to do some work. Lots of fresh sign, and a lot of new rubs. Some are pretty exciting. Honestly though I am looking for some for the freezer and would be happy with a doe or a buck for my first this year. No sightings today. I have a strong suspicion they mostly bed on a neighboring property but I don't have permission there.

Waiting in the car till legal time so I can still hunt my way in. Hoping to at least see one today.

Very quiet today. It was super crispy frosty this morning and didn't catch anything moving except a few squirrels. Did some very slow still hunting around the thick stuff after the frost melted. Expected to see something or at least get busted all afternoon but didn't see/hear anything. They are partying in my yard right now that it's dark, I just watched a few bed down in the grass near the driveway.

Got today off, so I'm heading out now. Fingers crossed...!

Beautiful divers, there.

Tough weekend, no deer seen except for at home, in the yard, after dark.... I had to quit a bit early today for family obligations. There is a ton of deer sign on one of the properties I hunt, but we don't have the "right time, right place" part down yet it seems. I hunt with either 2 or 3 other people and we have doe tags (it's a miracle for 9X) but none of us have had a safe/ethical shot yet. Still, I love being out in the woods and I am teaching my younger brother how to hunt for the first time so that's exciting. I'd love for him to get a shot at a deer. Had a red squirrel come up and almost sit in my brother's lap yesterday, it wanted the apple core from the apple he had as a snack. It sure was entertaining.

Woke up to a few inches of snow here, to my surprise. I'm itching to go out but it's still rain/snowing and I don't want to get soaked. Been there and it was miserable. I'll watch the radar closely and get out as soon as it stops. Hope it doesn't warm up too much.

Mostly down in the southern tier, southern parts of region 9.

Thanks, everyone!

I am fond of them but haven't had any success in a long time! Deer hunting: Yes. I love venison, and the meat in the freezer is important to my family so admittedly I deer hunt more than other game. I enjoy small game though too.