[blonky]

My dad, an avid hunter/outdoorsman, has told me for years ticks drop from trees.

He's also told stories of ticks on deer the size of golfballs. This is why I stay indoors! [shudder]

[craftyguy]

More often than not ticks are hanging out on long grass waiting for you to brush up against it.

I believe it's a common (and unproven) myth[1] that 'falling from trees' is the primary way that ticks seek out targets...

1. http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/ticks.htm

[ams6110]

Yeah ticks will really swell up on an animal that can't get rid of them. You see them on outdoor dogs sometimes too, they look like grapes they're so full of blood.