WATCH FOR TICKS TO PREVENT LYME DISEASE

 

Watch for Ticks to Prevent Lyme Disease

Spring is here, so it’s time to think about the outdoors and proper protection against ticks. Maine had 1,171 cases of Lyme disease reported in 2015. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and we want to remind you the importance of daily tick checks and encourage the “tick watch” prevention strategy.

Ticks are primarily active in warmer months.  Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by a bite from an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).  In Maine, Lyme disease is most common in adults 65 and over and children between the ages of 5 and 15, but anyone can get the disease.  Individuals who work or play outside are more likely to be exposed to ticks. The most common and visible symptom of Lyme disease is a red bulls-eye rash that grows and appears within 3-30 days of exposure.  Other symptoms may include fevers, and joint or muscle pain.

Lyme disease is treatable and most individuals recover completely with a proper drugs. However, the easiest way to avoid the disease is prevention, using “No Ticks 4 ME”:

1)      Use caution in tick infested areas
2)      Wear protective clothing
3)      Use an EPA approved repellant
4)      Perform daily tick checks after any outdoor activity

A tick must be attached for a minimum of 24 hours before the infection can be passed on, further stressing the need for prompt and proper tick removal. If you are bitten by a tick, or work in a known tick habitat, watch for symptoms for up to 30 days, and call a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Deer ticks can transmit not only Lyme disease, but also two other tick-borne infections that are present in Maine: anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Babesiosis cases increased in 2015 and cases of Anaplasmosis remained steady.  The majority of tick-borne illnesses occur during the summer months when ticks and humans are active outdoors.

Remember that the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the only tick that can transmit Lyme disease, but there are other species of ticks throughout the state. Tick identification references are available to order online at Maine CDC’s website. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick ID Lab offers free identification services and educational resources.

Additional information:

• Maine CDC has Lyme disease information available on our website at http://www.maine.gov/lyme   
• Lyme disease data is available through the Maine Tracking Network at http://www.maine.gov/lyme under Epidemiology Information on the left hand side of the page.
• University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick ID Lab submission instructions can be found at http://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/tickid/
• To continue getting Lyme updates throughout May please like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MaineCDC

Snowmobile Trail Fund Stickers now Available at at Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Store.

 

01/15/2016 07:01 AM EST Snowmobile Trail Fund Sticker now Available! Show your support for Maine’s snowmobile trail system by purchasing a Snowmobile Trail Fund Sticker. Stickers are available for purchase: Online at the IF&W store – Snowmobile Trail Fund From snowmobile registration agents statewide At time of or after snowmobile registration Proceeds from each Trail Supporter sticker, less a $2 administrative charge, will be transferred directly to the Snowmobile Program to support the trail fund. The colorful stickers are available in three levels of support: $25, $50 and $100.

Becoming a {Winter} Outdoors Woman, Weekend Skills Course Offered.

 

January 5, 2016 at 10:46 am by Emily MacCabe

There is nothing like a little snow on the ground to get me excited about winter! I love spending time in the outdoors during the colder months of the year.  There is so much to do and so much to learn! Not to mention there are no blackflies…
The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program here in Maine will be holding a Winter Skills Weekend February 26-28, 2016 at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center.
This overnight workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to gain or improve skills in a variety of fun winter related outdoor activities.  The accommodations at Bryant Pond are very comfortable and the instructors we have lined up are fantastic at what they do and they are very excited to share their passion for the Maine outdoors.
The cost to attend is $225 with on-site lodging OR a commuter rate of $150.  Registration includes all meals, equipment and instruction.
The best part is you don’t need to be an expert or have any experience at all to join us! Plus, this is a great opportunity to make some wonderful new “outdoorsy” friends!
Here is the plan:
Friday, February 26: Participants will arrive, check-in and get settled between 4pm and 6pm.  We will have dinner and get to know each other followed by some fun around the fire.
Saturday, February 27: Breakfast at 8am and then off to the first session at 9am.  Don’t worry, there will be plenty of places to warm up and opportunities to drink hot cocoa! Lunch is at noon and then off to a second session at 1pm.  After a break, session 3 kicks off at 3:30pm. Dinner at 6pm followed by some fun evening programming.
Sunday, February 28: Breakfast at 8am then session 4 at 9am.  Lunch will be at noon and then time to pack up and head out with LOTS of great new memories!
Sessions that will be offered include wild game cooking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, archery, shotgun, fly tying, rock climbing, nature photography and snowmobile safety.

Check out some of the photos from the 2013 Winter Skills Weekend and the 2014 Winter Skills Weekend!

For more information, visit: www.mainebow.com.  You can register for the workshop online or print and mail the registration form.  A limited number of scholarships are being offered and the application can be found online.

Contact Brittany Humphrey at brittany.humphrey@maine.gov or (207) 215-0292 with questions.

 

We hope to see you in February at the

BOW Winter Skills Weekend!

Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Offers "Becoming an Outdoor Woman" Course in January 2016

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program offers workshops for women who are 18 or older to gain or improve skills in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in a fun, safe and comfortable environment.

Join us February 26-28, 2016 at the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Bryant Pond for a weekend of outdoor fun and adventure.

For more information or to register online, visit: http://umaine.edu/bryantpond/adult-programs/becoming-an-outdoors-woman/becoming-an-outdoorswoman-winter-skills-weekend/

Maine Department of Inand Fisheries and Wildlife Seeks Nominations for Annual Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award.

 

 

 

MDIFW Seeking Nominations for

Annual Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award ‏

 

Hunting, fishing and trapping are an important part of the heritage of the State of Maine. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife would like to bring forth and recognize individuals who have been dedicated to the wide use and stewardship of our Maine resources by recognizing an annual recipient of a Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award.
Nominees for the award should be Maine residents who have hunted, trapped and fished for a combined total of 40 years. For example, an individual who has fished for 20 years, trapped for 10 years and taught hunter safety for 10 years would be an ideal candidate.
Nominations for the 2015 Annual Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award are now being accepted and should include the nominee’s name, address, phone number and a few paragraphs about the individual, their experience in the Maine outdoors and why they are a deserving candidate.  Nominations can be sent by email to Bonnie Holding at bonnie.holding@maine.gov or by mail to 284 State St, SHS 41, Augusta, ME  04333.  The deadline for nominations is Monday, August 10 by 5pm.
The recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award will be selected by a committee of individuals from the Department and the award will be presented in Augusta by Commissioner Chandler Woodcock at the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Banquet on September 12.