[jonstewart]

They like to crawl up and can do so from your ankles/feet, so it’s not a safe assumption. I spray my hiking boots and socks with deet. If I am going to get into brush, I wear permethrin-laced hiking pants and I tuck the cuffs into my socks. Then I take a shower after coming in from outside.

Deer ticks can be tiny, much smaller than wood/dog ticks so just checking yourself isn’t a great form of protection.