Posted: 7/30/2007 8:31:46 AM EDT
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Hey guys. I am coming your direction from the east coast and was wondering about bugs when hiking and camping? Thanks, nct |
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Beware of scorpions, rattlesnakes, tarantulas, illegal aliens, black widows, Africanized bees, gila monsters, assassin bugs, brown recluse spiders, mountain lions, blistering sun and heat, "jumping" cholla cacti, bears, fire ants, nitty-gnats and of course the mosquitoes around water. Wear boots, use DEET, bring lots of water, wear sunscreen and a hat, open-carry and watch out where you sit, step, put your hands and prop your tent. 
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I was shooting a match in the middle of June at the practical pistol bays at Ben Avery. I was standing by the bleachers and moved to help reset targets. A couple of minutes after I moved, a 2'-3' rattle snake came out of the some stacked targets and went to the bleachers right were I was standing. That thing blended in so well with the dirt, I would never have seen it coming. I'm sure it wouldn't have approached me if I stayed there but I'm glad I moved when I did. This happened around 2:00. |
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I work days during the summer and nights during the winter for the reasons listed above and more. Nothing like an eight-hour lay-in in which you're laying on the dirt or hiding in the bushes the whole time. Would much rather do that when its freezing outside and most of the critters are warm in their beds, than during the summer when they're on the prowl looking for food and mates and ME! Having said that, right before and right after a good monsoon rain, I've had miserable luck lately with insects in the desert during the day. Either they're spawning and fly down my shirt or they land on me when I brush up against a mesquite. Have run over plenty of snakes so far this year, but have yet to see one while on foot. |
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update: in general the bugs were not that bag. the flies were 2nd worse, with the heat being number 1. did not see any snakes, scorpins, or rats. we ended up camping and trying to sleep. Nothing like a tent at night with no breeze and what felt like 94 F. thanks for the info. we had a good time. nct |
Where did you camp? |
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where you gonna be.. our state goes from harsh desert to alpine at 12,633'. Everywhere I have camped I have never had a problem! nil on mosquitos, snakes dont bother you, and just shake your shoes out in the morning for scorpions. Most of my friends camp out under the stars except during monsoon. Our plant life is more annoying than our bugs, everything is sharp in the desert and riparian areas here. |
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we came from vegas, camped at the grand canyon for two days with a rim hike and then hiked the south kaibab trail to bright angel campground for one night and then hiked out bright angel trail. too much backpack weight for an out of shape sucker like me. rented some of the equipment from the general store on property. kelty stuff, not bad. great views and good times. appreciate the advice. nct |
OR of course you can just stay at home in a climate controlled environment and watch the Discovery Channel and not have to put up with all the fuss! (Did someone say "bears"?  )Bear 
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