ya know, it's funny how many tick sightings I hear about. I have been outside quite a bit (for a slave to working in Seattle), tramped about the brush usually and I have only seen like 6 ticks this year. One large specimen on my friend while chatting in my car about her "almost trip" to the mole, 3 on my parents dog, one tiny one found on leg after approach to some dirt chosspile in the icicle and one crawling on my arm while climbing up some dirt chosspile. I don't think it is any different from any other year. BETA: Check frequently, wear a hat, long pants, and avoid hiking thru brush.