The Bowhunter Chronicles Podcast - Episode 418: Talking Ticks with Travis Avery - Sawyer Outdoor Products Ticks are no longer a summer nuisance - they’re a real health threat in all 50 states, and this episode shows you exactly how to protect yourself before the bite happens. Travis Avery of Sawyer breaks down the surprising science behind repellents, the rise of tick-borne disease, and the simple steps hunters, hikers, and anyone who spends time outdoors should be taking right now.Travis shares how Sawyer grew from a family startup into a trusted name in outdoor protection, why the company is known for both insect repellent and water filtration, and how its products earned that reputation one category at a time. You’ll hear the origin story of the brand, including the early snake bite kit, the military roots of permethrin, and the company’s shift from bug spray to a broader outdoor safety mission.We break down the differences between DEET, picaridin, and permethrin, why certain formulas are gear-safe and family-safe, and how long-lasting treated clothing can protect you for six weeks or six washes. Travis also explains why ticks are spreading so fast, why Lyme disease is often misunderstood, and what to do the moment you find one on your body, including why you should take a photo, save it, and resist the urge to crush it immediately.You’ll also discover unexpected uses for permethrin that most outdoorspeople never think about, from treating a deer wrap or moving blanket after a hunt to keeping ticks from coming home with you after field dressing. Travis and Adam get into regional risk, Alpha Gal, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the limits of freezing cold, and why education matters more than fear.Plus, the conversation goes beyond repellents. Travis shares how Sawyer’s water filters work, why hollow fiber membrane technology changed outdoor filtration, how the company has helped bring clean water to more than 30 million people worldwide, and why its products matter just as much in disaster relief and global aid as they do on a backpacking trip.Essential listening if you hunt, hike, fish, camp, or simply want to stay safer outdoors - because the best tick, as Travis puts it, is a dead tick.Travis Avery is with Sawyer, the outdoor protection company known for insect repellents, permethrin treatments, and water filtration products. He helps lead Sawyer’s education, product strategy, and global impact efforts, including clean water access and malaria reduction initiatives.https://huntworthgear.com/ https://www.yellowstone.ai/ - CHRONICLES for 15% off https://www.paintedarrow.com - BHC15 for 15% off https://www.spartanforge.ai (https://www.spartanforge.ai/) - save 25% with code bowhunter https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com (https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/) s https://www.zingerfletches.com (https://www.zingerfletches.com/) https://www.bigshottargets.com (https://www.bigshottargets.com/) https://genesis3dprinting.com (https://genesis3dprinting.com/) https://vitalizeseed.com (https://vitalizeseed.com/) http://bit.ly/BHCPatreon Purchase Yellowstone trail cameras from anywhere at MSRP pricing. https://yellowstone.ai/products/y2-camera?Title=Default+Title Create your account under the Yellowstone Command Center app and add a credit card, (it won’t be charged) Before activating your data plan, you must fill out the referral form so the Yellowstone team can apply your free data credit. https://yellowstone.ai/friend USE CODE: BHC for the discount Download the Yellowstone Command Center app and activate your data plans before September 1, 2026. Enjoy FREE Annual Unlimited data for up to 4 cameras — a $129 value per camera! *You can purchase an unlimited amount of cameras, but free annual unlimited data can apply to a maximum of 4 cameras. *Yellowstone requires a credit card to be added to your Command Center app account before activating your free data plan(s). You won’t be charged for an entire year. After a year, the card on file will be charged based on whether you have active plans at that time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices