Snake boots or leggings

[K9TXS]

I've been thinking about getting a pair of snake boots or leggings when PD hunting. Last hunting trip, I walked the fields more than ever before. I didn't run across any snakes, but the thought was in my mind with every step I took.

I wear a good pair of leather ankle high hiking boots, so leggings would work well with these. Not sure if just above the calf boots would be any better but still thinking which I would like to purchase. Hunting by myself, this could be a good insurance policy.

I started off shooting from my bench and when the wind picked up, I decided to shoot with the wind. Grabbed my tripod and walked away. My hit ratio really picked up. It took me longer to go from point A to point B, C, etc. since I was constantly looking for the snake that was never there.

Looking for advice on the boots vs leggings.

 

[BowWow]

Most good quality rubber or leather boots (in good condition) will protect you from most snake bites. Keep in mind that leather or rubber can dry out and deteriorate over time/heat/weather, etc. It's common to wear these with snake chaps or gaiters.

If being waterproof is a necessity, get the tall snake boots, as most of them are waterproof. I would recommend trying them on first..... the rubber boots don't flex as much (at the front of the ankle). No matter what you buy, tall boots can be a pain to put on and take off. Just try them on first. I have an older pair of Rocky boots that are very comfortable, but the right one started leaking a little bit near the bottom of the tongue after 9 years.

 

[Bocephus]

I've been thinking about getting a pair of snake boots or leggings when PD hunting. Last hunting trip, I walked the fields more than ever before. I didn't run across any snakes, but the thought was in my mind with every step I took.

I wear a good pair of leather ankle high hiking boots, so leggings would work well with these. Not sure if just above the calf boots would be any better but still thinking which I would like to purchase. Hunting by myself, this could be a good insurance policy.

I started off shooting from my bench and when the wind picked up, I decided to shoot with the wind. Grabbed my tripod and walked away. My hit ratio really picked up. It took me longer to go from point A to point B, C, etc. since I was constantly looking for the snake that was never there.

Looking for advice on the boots vs leggings.

I’ve worn leggings more than boots but have both. On reasonably flat ground, boots should be just fine(check out the link). Also, some have made the case that good leather hiking boots and baggy pants might be enough for most encounters.
But on the really steep stuff, you might find yourself at eye level so neither one would offer much consolation.
That old saw about them not really wanting to bite you is, in my opinion, a pure form of bull$hit! If he doesn’t wish to bite you, he should keep his fangs locked up in a safe place!
Only a snake can know for sure what’s in another snake’s mind. So unless he raises both hands, turns around and walks away slow, I must assume any other behavior is hostile.
To paraphrase Teddy R, “Walk heavily and carry a stout load of snake-shot.”

Fatal rattlesnake bite of Colorado boy prompts warnings of what to do if bitten

The 6-year-old was bitten while at the Bluestem Prairie Open Space near Colorado Springs on July 5 and died Monday.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Rube Shooter]

Most good quality rubber or leather boots (in good condition) will protect you from most snake bites. Keep in mind that leather or rubber can dry out and deteriorate over time/heat/weather, etc. It's common to wear these with snake chaps or gaiters.

If being waterproof is a necessity, get the tall snake boots, as most of them are waterproof. I would recommend trying them on first..... the rubber boots don't flex as much (at the front of the ankle). No matter what you buy, tall boots can be a pain to put on and take off. Just try them on first. I have an older pair of Rocky boots that are very comfortable, but the right one started leaking a little bit near the bottom of the tongue after 9 years.

2nd that on the rocky snake boots, especially the ones that are water proofed..

I bought my first pair in 2010 for a trip to the prairie dog fields in the Texas panhandle and continued to wear them when I was deer hunting for the next 12 years. Finally blew out the stitches on the sides of both boots and have since bought another pair to replace them. Nothing beats the peace of mind of strolling the high grass, timber or even the ever present cactus of the hill country knowing I at least have some protection from the rattlers.

 

[Tommie]

Just my preferance:
I found snake boots to be hot and bulky. Excellent protection but they make for a sweaty trip home unless you pack another pair of shoes. Gaitors provide almost as much protection and are easily removed. Metal toe shoes protect about the only part of my foot that the gaitors don’t cover.
But really it’s all about personal preference. Just make sure you have some sort of snake protection.

 

[PigButtons]

I'm going to argue the other side of things because I grew up in AZ and more than once saw snake boots fail to prevent rattle snake bite. The boots may limit the depth of pennatration but against a six foot rattler they are not 100%.

Your best defense is still situational awareness. Please stay safe is all I'm saying.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The further north you go, lower snake populations. Only time I worry about snakes from South Dakota and north is when I'm crawling bowhunting, I keep the bow out front to give the snakes a chance to warn me, especially in taller grass.

 

[ckaberna]

The chaps are protective but hot. We used to chased hounds around swamps and wetlands at night and they offer great piece of mind but many nights I have drove home with pants that were soaked with sweat.

 

[Clancy]

I generally wear leather boots with turtle skin gaiters. I’m sure the knee high snake boots that most of the cool kids wear work well too. They even named a pair after my home town, Lubbock.

If I’m being honest, I don’t usually go out with snake protection. Maybe I should…. I know several people that have been bit by diamondbacks and copperheads, BUT none of them were just out walking around.

 

[BowWow]

Just my preferance:
I found snake boots to be hot and bulky. Excellent protection but they make for a sweaty trip home unless you pack another pair of shoes. Gaitors provide almost as much protection and are easily removed. Metal toe shoes protect about the only part of my foot that the gaitors don’t cover.
But really it’s all about personal preference. Just make sure you have some sort of snake protection.

Ditto, Some are worse than others though.....

Most rubber boots are hot and bulky..... they don't breathe because they are rubber, and they have to be bulky to get them off and on. However, being bulky at the top does help out with the breathing issue. I couldn't how bad one would sweat if they were tight.

The leather/nylon boots with laces aren't quite as bad as the rubber boots, but in warmer weather they get hot within 45 minutes or so. Not unbearable, but noticable.

 

[Fuj]

Very, and most extremely rare but, I got hit by a massasauga in southern
Erie county Pa. It got my shin bone two inches above my combat style work
boot. Went right thru a new pair of Jeans. Luckily it hit bone, but the two
needle marks took a long time to heal. I never did buy leggings, but get the
"willy's" every time I think about prone shooting chucks, and getting hit
elsewhere.

 

[jepp2]

I wear the chaps and love them. Never had an issue with them being hot, but that might be due to where I live.

I live in CO and was hunting RFW (ranching for wildlife) in the southern portion of the state one year. There was a tripod stand on the ranch I was hunting near the Purgatory River. Great whitetail hunting. But to get to the stand, I had to wade through about 400 yards of thick cover. First morning I walked in when it was pitch black, I was worried about rattlesnakes. Kept telling myself, it is early October, they will be in their dens by now. Hunted that morning, left around 10:00 and explored the ranch roads some. On the way back out almost exactly where I parked that morning a prairie rattler was on the road, dead from being hit recently. Got the chaps and never worried again.

I also hunt elk in the mountains above 9,000 ft elevation. Never worried since I know rattlesnakes don't live that high. One summer day driving back down after hiking where I hunt, there was a dead rattlesnake that had just been hit on the road. So much for "they don't live that high".,

 

[Fuj]

So much for "they don't live that high".,

When I did a little research on the Massasauga, it's primarily a western
Pa. viper in counties bordering Ohio, and mainly found in fields hence
a warning to chuck hunters. Although some have been found in southern
Crawford county, none have been known to exist up in the northern
Erie County. The way we figure, it and others were brought in from
baled hay. The property I was on borders the family farms and all
import hay from other counties to fil the barns. If anyone has stacked
hay before, you find all kind of dead critters including snakes.

 

[mmcu]

I'd recommend what works for me: Gore-Tex lined snake boots.

 

[SEM]

Boot fan, Wore a pair of woven nylon covered chaps once could not hear the warning buzzer much less anything else.

 

[jnm300ultra]

I wear Irish Setter snake boots. They are lighter than leather boots. I haven’t been hit wearing them but did buy them after walking a creek bed and hearing a large dragonfly buzzing around me. When I realized it was a rattlesnake I almost s#it myself. I was watching the hillside and not the ground. I watched the ground for maybe 2 minutes and then made a 50 yard dash out of the creek bed. Little to say I stopped hunting that day. I always wear them for a piece of mind since I hunt in A zone Northern California in 85-100 heat in snake heaven. That’s just my story about snake proof boots.
Jason

 

[SEM]

When I did a little research on the Massasauga, it's primarily a western
Pa. viper in counties bordering Ohio, and mainly found in fields hence
a warning to chuck hunters. Although some have been found in southern
Crawford county, none have been known to exist up in the northern
Erie County. The way we figure, it and others were brought in from
baled hay. The property I was on borders the family farms and all
import hay from other counties to fil the barns. If anyone has stacked
hay before, you find all kind of dead critters including snakes.

Worked on a tomato harvester two summers when I was young man (still a boy) you wanted to be in the middle or end of the belt and pay attention to those working the beginning of the belt if they jumped and yelped you knew to step back, Amazing how much meat gets in your ketchup before you apply it to your burger. 50 years of avoiding rattlers in the field walking in the dark and tall grass giving the buzzer a wide berth, I was bit at home while mowing didnt hear the warning buzzer that time.

 

[SEM]

I wear Irish Setter snake boots. They are lighter than leather boots. I haven’t been hit wearing them but did buy them after walking a creek bed and hearing a large dragonfly buzzing around me. When I realized it was a rattlesnake I almost s#it myself. I was watching the hillside and not the ground. I watched the ground for maybe 2 minutes and then made a 50 yard dash out of the creek bed. Little to say I stopped hunting that day. I always wear them for a piece of mind since I hunt in A zone Northern California in 85-100 heat in snake heaven. That’s just my story about snake proof boots.
Jason

Big Pacific rattlers get your attention don't they .... Hunted the A zone alone for years.. looking back not smart

 

[moorepower]

I always walk slow and watch where I am going to step. I also carry a S&W 642 with bird shot. Hog hunting in Texas in the thickets worries me even more than Wyoming Pdogs.

 

[CaptainMal]

Boots.

Always wear them doing food plots and hunting in Georgia. ALWAYS. Have killed many rattlers there and seen more. Strange but last year I did not encounter a single one, except one a guy already killed. Did not miss the experience.