After 38 years of killing deer and enjoying the hunt , I'm starting to wonder if I'm done . To think that it's all because of tick (the wrong tick I guess) is almost devastating . I've always known that I should take more precautions against the little devils ... just never done it . I've been suffering through a lot of medical problems this year and recently discovered that some of it was due to being allergic to red meat . Apparently this allergy comes from a tick bite and I had a bunch of those this past spring . I had been having reactions to eating deer most of this year but really figured out my problem while skinning and processing my last doe a couple of weeks ago . I had started wearing gloves while handling the meat and managed to get along alright but while finishing some jerky for the kids today things took a turn for the worse . As I was removing the jerky from the dehydrator and bagging it (without gloves) my throat started swelling . Got to admit it had me a little worried but my wife has to carry an epi pen cause of the allergy shots that she takes so I knew that if it got too bad we at least had 1 on hand . I went ahead and took an anti histamine tablet and got over the reaction but it left me wondering about future deer hunting and if I really need to go . Not sure how the future of my deer hunting will go but couldn't imagine not doing everything I can to be able to get out there next year . Before it is too late for the rest of you , DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN to keep the tick off of you . I know Permithrin is supposed to work pretty good at keeping them off of you and would be good insurance against some of the nasty stuff that ticks carry . In hindsight , I wish I had used a lot more of it
That's crazy, I've seen this mentioned couple times on here and can't even imagine how bad it'd suck. The deer hunting yea but not being able to eat red meat would definitely suck.
Sucks either way and I'm sympathetic to your plight but I think if I were in your shoes id still be hunting. I'd just donate the meat, sucks I know but in most areas there are plenty of needy families very eager to receive a freezer full of ven and typically there will be a processor or community program around who will cover the processing. Shoot, drop off, and done.
Sorry to hear this! Don't let this discourage you from enjoying your favorite past time. Hang in there! A coworker's wife has the meat allergy from a tickbite. I just read an article and hopefully this will cheer you up. Love Red Meat? Watch Out for Ticks. - WSJ.com
My biggest problem is that I'm not just allergic to the eating of red meat , I have a reaction just touching deer . I did discus this with my brother and a couple others early this morning and there seems to be plenty of local help for me when it comes to field dressing and hauling the deer out so I'll probably give it a try next year . Our state has a share the harvest program that I have donated to before along with donating to people I know need the meat . I was in the process of making jerky for a friend to send to troops in the middle east when I had the reaction . Just hate the thought of others having to help me so I can just give it away in the future but we'll see how it goes .
Sorry to hear about your situation but hang in there. Yeah. I spray permethrin on my cloths after every wash. Works great.
