Snakes??

[WoodlandScout82]

How many of you guys wear snake boots or gaiters in the mountains? We ran into a guy while we were out scouting today that acted like we were crazy for not wearing snake protection. I have no doubt that they are out there but I have yet to come across one in 4 seasons so far. Should I worry about this more? Or just watch my step as I always have?

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

Better safe than sorry. Do a search on this topic. There are many threads with great info. From what i understand, the medical bills from a venomous bite could put you in debt for the rest of your life, even with insurance. Not to mention the pain and suffering....

 

[ddd-shooter]

Never wear snake boots. Very thankful I’ve never had a close encounter for years and years.
I‘d like to hear if anyone else has had a close encounter.

 

[strothershwacker]

Bowhunterdave on the trad forum got nailed on the pinky finger by a small rattlers a couple years ago. I think you can pull up the old thread in the bowhunting forum. It was a bad deal. Hearing him describe it makes you not wanna get bit! He HAD snake boots on. I almost sat on a copperhead this past turkey season about 3 miles into cohutta. If you ain't seen a rattler in the mountains during September or early October in 4 years that's amazing! You will. Boots or not, be careful!

 

[Joe Brandon]

This will be my first year wearing them after coming within 3 ft of stepping on a huge 5 ft + rattler last year. If it hadn't been for me turning on my headlamp that would have been it.

 

[Rulo]

They are out here. Especially in the mountains this time of year.

I was a doubter myself until one October day on a WMA Check In Hunt my brother got popped in the calf by a 4 foot timber rattler.

He was wearing snake boots so the snake lost.

Also, you get popped by one and you"ll be sitting this season out. Good chance your affected limb will rot off!

 

[Para Bellum]

Worked in the woods all day every day for 13 years and never wore em. Saw plenty, killed a few, never bit.

 

[ddd-shooter]

I hate to even say this but I've hunted the mountains for over twenty years and have never even had an encounter with a snake. Praise God for that!
I don't know much about snake boots, but they don't seem like mountain climbers to me, plus the steepness of the terrain makes me think they wouldn't be high enough to protect anyway.
Idk though. Guess I could add some gaiters.

 

[splatek]

With modern technology, most snake boots are just as comfortable as regular hiking, hunting boots, so for me it;s a no brainer - I want to make it home to my family.

I've only ever had one encounter with snakes in the hills, off bald mounting, or maybe it was brasstown, I would have to check my notes. Anyhow, I was trying to fish a headwater I had not fished before, slipped on some leaves that were matted down on a slick rock face. I fell about 15 feet, mostly sliding and rolling so no injuries. When I Finally stopped, at the bottom of my fall/roll I heard a cacophony of rattling. I had fallen about ±10 yards from a winter den or something. It was very VERY loud. They weren't that bad, but I was out of there.

@Buckman18 seems to see one everytime he's in the woods... I need a snakeskin for the next bow I build,... but still not hoping I find one.

 

[Rabun]

Wearing snake gaiters allow me to concentrate on what's out in front of me instead of worrying what's under me...as much anyway. Still watch where I'm stepping though. I've come within a half of step of stepping on a timber rattler stretched out in a Sun spot.

 

[Buckman18]

I choose to wear snake boots these days. Irish Setters are rather comfy actually. I have kids now, and I just feel better about wearing them. YMMV.

 

[jbogg]

Seems like so many of these ridge tops are thick with blueberries/Buck berry bushes and it’s virtually impossible to watch where you step. Both of these guys were in the thick stuff and I came within a couple of feet of each of them.

 

[Gerrik]

@jbogg Jeez. That’s a lot of rattles. How big was that guy?

 

[twoheartedale]

Nope, no boots for me.

 

[NCHillbilly]

So far, in a half-century of roaming the mountains day and night, I have never felt the need to wear snake boots. Snakes are way down toward the bottom of things I'm concerned about in the woods.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I wear snake boots some, but for rough steep places i like good boots with gaiters. Figure its the best of both. I'll be honest, i dont know if its gonna save me or not but it makes me feel better and i dont look at my feet as much.

 

[livinoutdoors]

Plus, the tall snake boots make me feel like one of those old time explorer that wore the super tall boots. " i say good man, what a splendid day for an expedition!"

 

[jbogg]

So far, in a half-century of roaming the mountains day and night, I have never felt the need to wear snake boots. Snakes are way down toward the bottom of things I'm concerned about in the woods.

I don’t lie awake at night worrying about a lightning strike burning my house down, but I still have it insured.?. With all the time I spend roaming off trail in the big woods I’m guessing my chances of eventually stepping on Mr. no shoulders is probably much higher than my house burning down.

 

[antharper]

I wear mine almost always when hunting or scouting , I actually like them as far as comfort , and I agree with Rabun , I like to spend my time looking for what I’m in the woods for

 

[Hillbilly stalker]

Y’all might be looking at it backwards.......it’s not how many snakes YOU see....it’s how many snakes see you. Big difference....it’s the one you don’t see that gets you. $200 snake boots versus $200,000 medical bills, possibly loss of limb, painful agony or death. That’s pretty easy math.