Though winter lingers ticks have returned in full force.
Last week in between snow storms, we took advantage of one of the few mild days that we’ve had this spring to do some yard work. Ticks came to mind while raking leaves and picking up tree branches and I kept checking my sleeves and pant legs while working. We’ve been finding ticks on the dogs for a few weeks now, but hadn’t found any on ourselves.
The next morning I felt an itch on the back of my thigh and, sure enough, it was a deer tick buried into my leg. Mary removed it for me and I kept an eye on the bite just in case I developed any symptoms of the hard-to-diagnose diseases ticks can transmit. I did get an itchy red bump and a small red rash, but that only lasted for a couple of days.
On Friday, when there was still snow on the ground, Mary and I walked the edge of stream looking for wildlife and early signs of spring. I stayed on a small path, but Mary ventured into a few brushy areas to take photographs. I didn’t see any ticks on me, but Mary found three on her pant legs, two on one of her hands and one on the side of her neck. Neither of us got any bites that we know of, but just seeing them is a wake-up call to start taking precautions while outdoors.
Besides checking for ticks after every outing, we’re both going to start using bug repellants now. I spray my outdoor clothing with permethrin and once the chemical is dry, it works for over a month. There are warnings that come with the product and it’s important to follow directions on how to apply it to your clothing. The brand I use is manufactured by Sawyer.
Mary prefers a more natural approach and has had good luck with a homemade spray she learned to make from organic gardener George Stanchfield. To make 4 ounces of tick and mosquito spray, combine: 2 ounces boiled water; 1 ounce witch hazel; one-half ounce vodka (Tito’s is best); 25 drops peppermint essential oil; 20 drops lemongrass essential oil; 10 drops lavender essential oil and five drops tea tree essential oil. She sprays it on her clothing and shoes before each trip.
Kids Fishing Day: The 27th annual Kids Fishing Day hosted by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of Trout Unlimited for any child 14 years old or younger will be held Saturday, April 14 from 8-11 a.m. at Meadow Brook, which is on Willow Avenue at the East Bridgewater Highway Department building.
The event is free and instructions on fishing will be offered by TU members. A grab bag of tackle will be given to each child participating in the event. There will also be a free prize drawing. The brook will be stocked with trout on Thursday, April 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Children and their parents are encouraged to take part in the stocking. For more information contact Jim Clinton at 617-947-0550.
TU Free fly casting classes: The Southeast Mass Chapter of Trout Unlimited is also conducting their free Bob Veraka Memorial Fly Casting and Fishing Classes on Wednesday evenings during the month of April and there is still time to attend. The classes teach the basics of fly-casting and fishing.
All equipment is provided. If you have your own fly rod you are welcome to bring it along. This is a great time of year to get your casting arm into shape for spring fishing. The next three classes will be held April 11, 18 and 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Community Center at Sachem Rock Farm, 355 Plymouth St., East Bridgewater. For more information call Jim Clinton at 617-947-0550.
Public hearings: The Fisheries and Wildlife Board has scheduled a public hearing to establish rules and regulations for the 2018-19 migratory game bird hunting seasons on Tuesdayl at 3 p.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westboro. Due to federal requirements for migratory game bird season selections, the Board will vote on the proposal on the same day immediately following the public hearing.
The proposed seasons, hunting hours, and bag limits are similar to last year except for increasing the September goose bag limit to 15 birds and adding five days to the woodcock season. The proposed woodcock season dates are Oct. 4–Nov. 24 The woodcock bag limit will remain at three birds. More information about the public hearing and proposed season dates can be found on MassWildlife's website.
Also on Tuesday at the same location a public hearing to extend the archery deer season in Eastern Massachusetts will be held at 7 p.m. The proposal is to open the archery deer season two weeks early in Eastern Massachusetts (Wildlife Management Zones 10-14). Written comment to Field Headquarters will be accepted any time before the hearings and for two weeks after.
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Enterprise correspondent Randy Julius’ Outdoors appears Sunday in The Enterprise.