My ex has been in the vet biz for over 20 years. Around here, ticks are active year-round outside. In the winter one can find them on long grass UNDER the snowpack, moving just like in summer. Hence the flea & tick meds are recommended year-round for dogs by her clinic....
Dammit, "Dog Pecker Gnats" is the leading thread on my home page "Recent Threads", right there on top where I can't NOT see it, and I keep spitting bourbon on my keyboard (I'm on vacation, sue me)....