Spring hunting & black flies

Crossbow Hunting

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Czy_Horse
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Location: SW Ontario

Spring hunting & black flies

Post by Czy_Horse »

What do you use for bug control while spring bear hunting?

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rattlerun
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by rattlerun »

Thermocell worked well for me.
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bob watkins
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by bob watkins »

2 thermcells
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dabluz
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by dabluz »

DEET in various strengths. Stronger percentages of deet last longer but there are concerns about the body absorbing toxins. Head nets, gloves, closing all openings etc are among other possibilities
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Minnow
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by Minnow »

Ontario federation of anglers and hunters have a spring bear special where u buy a membership shick comes with a magazine subscription and they throw in a free thermacell. That's what I'm using
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paulaboutform
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by paulaboutform »

Hey Brian, the thermacells work great. I used to use the highest % deet repellent as well but I've been using ' Off' Botanicals for a few years now and find it works as well as the deet and is non toxic. Using both together is very effective.

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redmag
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by redmag »

You probably know but noone can tell you how bad the bugs are. We used to go each spring for several years and all we had was deet (Yukon from Eddie Bauer) and duct tape to close all openings. Didn't have thermacell then and I can tell you as much as you wanted to hunt after week of those bugs and last night ain't all that bad. Headnets help, if you raise it to see it'll feel like dive-bombers hitting your face. Have fun but by all means listen to those that have used to latest remedies.
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by paulaboutform »

Also, do a Google search on 'foods that help repell mosquitos and insects and foods to avoid.' Example, don't eat bananas when heading into the woods. Do eat oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Who'd a thought? :wink:

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xcaliber
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by xcaliber »

Used some clothes made by Game Hide that are their Elimatick series treated with permetherin, we were hanging stands in August, no bugs whatsoever. Boo convinced me to try Sawyer's, and it was great also.
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longbow joe
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by longbow joe »

Sawyers is the bomb. Use it for ticks here mainly. Using permetherin = 0 ticks . Im sure the flys dont like it either.
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Czy_Horse
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by Czy_Horse »

The OFAH was a good idea for getting a thermacell. I know a thermacell works real well on mosquitoes, but how well does it work on blackflies? Anyone suggest some head gear? I used to have a mesh 'bug suit' that worked real good wore a ball cap under to keep mesh off my face, but I cannot find a similar replacement? I will check out Game Hide.

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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by xcaliber »

Good Luck. I know them black flies are a biach to deal with!
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dutchhunter
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by dutchhunter »

I could not hunt turkeys in late may without .the thermacell. We have mosquitos as big as black hawk helicopters.down here.
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Phillyarcher
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by Phillyarcher »

I have used Thermacell with great results while hunting in Canada. I also heard good things about Sawyers for spraying on your clothes. One other product is the Cabelas Skinz under garments that you were under your regular hunting outfit. I have a couple of hunting buddies that use this product.
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Cossack
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Re: Spring hunting & black flies

Post by Cossack »

I use a ghillie suit built on netting, including a facemask. Works for me, no extra smell
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