56 Nebraskaland • April 2025
MIXED BAG
Ticks are an unfortunate reality of spring turkey hunting.
My worst experience happened many years ago while
bowhunting along the Loup River. I must have stumbled into
a nest of ticks. Afterward, I picked dozens, if not hundreds, of
the critters off my body and clothes.
Thankfully, those days are over. Last season, I didn't fi nd
a single tick on me all spring while hunting, or all summer
while fi shing, despite frequenting some pretty buggy places.
That's because I wore specialized clothing infused with
Insect Shield, a permethrin treatment that not only repels
ticks, but also chiggers, mosquitoes, gnats and other insects.
A couple of well-known outdoor brands off er hunters,
anglers and hikers several bug-free apparel options, all of
which are infused with Insect Shield. The fi rst is Sitka's
Equinox Guard line of tick-repelling clothing. It consists of a
hoody with an integrated facemask and pants with integrated
ankle gaiters that tuck into boots and gloves. Color options
include several camo patterns suitable for spring turkey
hunting or early-season archery deer, as well as earth-tone
solids for outdoor lovers and tick haters who don't need camo.
Learn more at Sitkagear.com.
Gamehide's ElimiTick line off ers an even larger selection of
bug-proof clothing. Options include lightweight, longsleeve
T-shirts, button-up shirts, pants, bibs, gloves, facemasks and
socks. ElimiTick's Cover-Up Jacket and Pant can be worn over
other clothes when hunting in cooler weather. Many of these
items are also available in women's sizes. Colors include
Mossy Oak and Realtree camo patterns perfect for spring
turkey hunting, as well as solid earth tones. Learn more at
Gamehide.com, including how to maintain these products
after wearing them multiple times.
Oddly, Sitka nor ElimiTick off er an insect-repelling cap, but
one is available directly from Insect Shield. It comes in either
Realtree or Mossy Oak camo. I wore the Insect Shield cap last
season, and it did a fi ne job of keeping gnats away from my
eyes. Buy it at Insectshield.com.
Stay safe and comfortable this spring and summer —
bugfree.
Lifelong Nebraskan Jarrod Spilger has been hunting turkeys for
35 years.{
PREVENTING CREEPY CRAWLERS
By Jarrod Spilger
Sitka's Equinox Guard line of tick-repelling clothing is worth the price to keep insects off you this spring. COURTESY OF JARROD SPILGER
