Stay Safe This Deer Hunting Season: Health & Safety Tips for the Outdoors
As open deer hunting season begins October 6 across Massachusetts, thousands of hunters will head into the woods. Hunting is a treasured tradition that supports wildlife management and provides outdoor recreation, but it also comes with some safety risks. One of the most significant here on Cape Cod is the risk of tick bites, which can lead to Lyme disease and other serious tick-borne illnesses.
Tick Bite Prevention is a Critical Part of Hunting Safety
While many people think ticks are only a summertime problem, deer ticks remain active well into the fall. Any time temperatures are above 40°F, deer ticks can be found in the wooded areas, tall grasses and brush—same habitat as deer. Hunters, who often spend long hours outdoors, are at elevated risk for tick exposure. Fortunately, there are simple and effective steps to reduce the risk of a tick bite while hunting:
- Wear Permethrin-Treated Clothing and Gear
One of the most effective defenses against ticks is clothing and gear treated with permethrin, a synthetic version of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. When applied to fabric, permethrin kills ticks on contact, disrupting their nervous systems and causing paralysis and death within seconds to minutes. Despite its potency against ticks, permethrin is completely safe for humans when used as directed. That’s because our nervous systems and metabolisms are far more complex than those of insects, allowing our bodies to break down permethrin quickly and harmlessly. It’s so safe, in fact, that it’s recommended and endorsed by globally reputable health and safety organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
You can buy factory-treated clothing that remains effective for up to 70 washings or treat your own clothing and gear with DIY permethrin sprays, which lasts about 5-6 washings. It’s also odorless, won’t affect your camouflage, and provides lasting peace of mind in tick-prone environments.
- Dress Defensively
Cover skin as much as possible by wearing long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or boots. Light-colored clothing can also help you spot ticks more easily.
- Perform Regular Tick Checks
As soon as you return indoors, change clothing and do a full-body tick check using a mirror. Pay special attention to areas like:
- Along the waistband
- Underarms
- Behind knees
- In and around ears
Showering within two hours of returning indoors is also helpful to spot ticks and wash them away before they have attached.
- Check Your Gear and Pets
Ticks can hitch a ride on your gear or pets and later attach to you. Carefully Inspect backpacks, outerwear, and any dogs accompanying you on the hunt.
Permethrin-Treated Clothing: The Game-Changer for Hunters
For Cape Cod hunters, permethrin-treated clothing isn’t just another piece of gear, it’s a vital tool for health and safety. With 30% of ticks capable of transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and other illnesses, it’s worth taking the simple, science-backed step to protect yourself. Using permethrin-treated clothing allows you to focus on the hunt, not what’s crawling through the brush.
General Deer Hunting Safety Reminders
In addition to tick-bite prevention, don’t forget these essential hunting safety guidelines:
- Wear blaze orange: Massachusetts law requires a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange during deer hunting season. It’s critical for visibility.
- Handle firearms safely: Always treat every firearm as if it’s loaded. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and be aware of your target and what’s beyond it.
- Tell someone your plan: Let someone know where you’ll be hunting, your route, and expected return time. Carry a fully charged phone or emergency communication device.
- Know the weather: Dress in layers, carry rain gear, and bring enough food and water to stay safe and hydrated.
Stay Informed
2025 Massachusetts Deer Hunting Season:
- Archery: Zones 1–14: October 6 – November 29
- Paraplegic: October 30 – November 1
- Shotgun: December 1 – December 13
- Primitive Firearms: December 15 – December 31
Hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset. To find out more about Massachusetts regulations on deer hunting, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/deer-hunting-regulations
Camp Edwards Controlled Hunting Program:
- Military/First responder deer hunt: December 5
- Shotgun deer hunt: December 8 -December 13
- Muzzleloader deer hunt: December 18 – December 19
During these dates, 11,000 acres of Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod are open to deer hunting. Pre-registration is required to participate. Find out more here: Camp Edwards controlled hunting program
