Wild animals, grassland, forests - as soon as the winter's over, ticks are all over this place. I couldn't tell you how many I've removed (from myself and from pets), but there have never been any complications. There's a period in spring when it's both warm and wet: that's when I tend to find multiple each day.
My main way of dealing with them is to check myself in the bathroom and take a shower as soon as I come inside. You can also wear brighter colours to make it easier to see them. I honestly don't think the risk of infection or Lyme disease is very significant (at least here in the Balkans, though we have plenty of deer). Going to the hospital for a tick that's still small is most likely unnecessary.
I was stationed in Charleston, SC in the mid 70s and I used to take my dogs for walks in the meadows and forests. When I got home it was SOP to remove all my clothing and shake them outside, then my wife checked me out for the little buggers. (the dogs too.) We always had at least one.
Mother found a tick on my scalp when I was a kid. It freaked me out a little. She removed it. I saw a suspicious dark spot on my husband's back once and it was a tick that had burrowed. I got it out but was really grossed out by it.
Learning subsequently about the Lyme Disease they can carry, and that ticks are prevalent in our county's woods (thanks to deer), has made me more careful...
Danilo_G 