I'm an avid hiker in NY and NJ. There are Lyme warning signs everywhere, which are largely ignored. State parks around here tend to get a lot of use and many are lousy with deer, too.
If the warnings were accurate, shouldn't there be many thousands of cases every year? Not to say Lyme isn't serious - I know of one debilitated person who attributes it to Lyme - but the risk seems to be exaggerated, IMHO.
I use bug repellent and try to shower and check for ticks after spending time in the woods. Knock wood.
