While bow hunting on one of those warm, but damp October evenings in the region last week, mosquitoes suddenly began to form all around me at dusk. Being someone who despises mosquitoes, just seeing these little blood-sucking devils in such large numbers at dusk certainly got my attention, and I bet you know why. At that moment, it didn’t matter that I’d been on the stand for over five hours and that the magic hour — when it’s neither day or not and animal movement becomes imminent — had finally arrived. The only thing on my mind at that moment was to get up and get out of there because to me, the reality of what I’d been hearing for months from Mass. Wildlife about this dangerous mosquito borne virus called EEE was possibly becoming reality. The little parasites were everywhere, meaning this hunt, for me anyway, was over.
Now, please don’t panic and refrain from hunting, or enjoy what’s left of our beautiful autumn evenings. Those same health officials have also told us that people are more likely to get West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite than they are of contracting EEE. Nevertheless, it is very important to be aware that no matter how infrequent the cases are, this stuff is now everywhere as 2019 has been the worst year recorded in recent history.
Don’t worry, there is good news — EEE does not occur every year. When active however, the virus can cause severe illness and possibly lead to death in any age group, especially with people under age 15 or over 50. Currently there are several documented cases which have prompted both state and local officials to advise people to stay indoors during dusk and dawn hours. But hunters, who will be frequenting the woods for the remainder of the season precisely during those hours, need to be especially guarded about mosquitoes, as does anyone else who is outside and exposed during this time period. That is, at least until we’ve had a week or more of sustained temperatures hovering around 25 degrees. But until that time, everyone must remain in a state of high alert while taking the necessary precautions whenever they set foot in the woods.
Here are some ideas regarding those precautions that will help people reduce their risk factor while outdoors:
■ Wear an effective mosquito repellent such as DEET, Permethrin, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus while outdoors. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
■ Limit exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and pants.
■ When possible, stay indoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Hunters can also minimize risk of EEE and other wildlife diseases by taking precautions like:
■ Wear gloves and safety glasses when handling, field dressing, and processing game.
■ Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill pathogens.
■ Use caution and minimize contact with wild animals.
■ Handle knives carefully to prevent accidental cuts.
■ Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling carcasses and before and after handling meat.
■ Sanitize all tools and work surfaces used during processing with a bleach solution (one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water). Consider keeping a separate set of knives used only for butchering game.
And if you hunt with dogs, you need to remember that they can also become infected with EEE simply from the bite of an infected mosquito. While dogs rarely become ill from the virus, you still need to take precautions. Apply mosquito repellents that are veterinary-approved for use on your dog. Mosquito repellents recommended for humans are not approved for veterinary use, so don’t go spraying them on your dog. Consult with your veterinarian for advice about what’s considered safe for your dog and read the product label before usage. Make certain that you follow all instructions carefully. While the risk of EEE transmission to dogs from eating or otherwise meeting up with infected birds or mammals is considered low, consider limiting your dog’s contact with game as much as possible.
Finally, take heart in knowing that only 4 to 5-percent of people who are infected with EEE develop any severe symptoms. At the same time, we must accept the fact that the distribution of this awful virus is in our midst even as I write this. EEE occurs throughout eastern North America, primarily on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and this year it has settled here in Massachusetts in ways that many of us have never witnessed before. For now, we wait for the cold winter air that will wipe it all away but until then we must remain cautious while venturing into the outdoors and beautiful woodlands of another Franklin County autumn season.
Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, consultant and active member of the New England Outdoor Writers Assoc. Joe is also a member of the Quaker Boy Game Calls, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Pro-Staff.