Thanks everyone for the replies! Cash and I just got home from his yearly "routine" vet visit (although it was anything BUT routine! More on that later!)

But I did ask the vet about tick protection and what she recommends. It seems that there really isn't anything out there that will repel ticks, they will get on the dog and try to attach regardless. She said that the collars really work well on the front 20% of the dog which is where the ticks usually get on the dogs to begin with; they go into the woods face first and the ticks are opportunistic and "jump" (not literally) at the first thing that comes along.
She did say that you can use the Frontline and the collars together however so that is good news.

We did get a tick collar to try on Cash but it is not the Seresto brand - this one is called Scalibor. Same concept as the Seresto collar, however not sure if it is the same active ingredient as I need to read the paperwork yet tonight. My vet did say that they started selling/prescribing these last summer and she had only had positive reviews from clients so far BUT the brand name was different last year...that brand is on back order. Of course, I cannot remember the name she said it was but I guess that one works well...if anyone says it, I will remember...

I asked if we could only use it when camping - just to avoid pumping more chemicals into poor Cash-ew than necessary but unfortunately, it takes about 2-3 weeks to start working so that it builds up - I guess in their bloodstream.

FYI - There are a couple more options she showed me but she was VERY adamant against Certifect. Which is made by the same folks that make Frontline, but has an additional ingredient in it that is supposed to kill ticks faster. She said that the pets may be able to ingest the medication via grooming and it has has been known to cause neurological issues. So tell your friends...NO Certifect!

Anyway....we will try this new collar and will let y'all know how it works! Thanks!