I've never been too afraid of snakes or getting snake bit while turkey hunting....I figure a snake that would bite me would probably die before I did :camohat:
I've got a pair of 9 inch Russel Snake boots (for short snakes) I wear in hilly country....most of the time I'm hunting wetter areas and wear La Chameu or LaCrosse rubber boots.
Just curious...Does anyone know of someone who got bit bad while wearing rubber boots ?
We have to wear snake boots in the tx hill country with all the rattlers.
I'm not sure what boots they were all wearing, but I've heard several bite stories.
Yes, many stories; a buddy of mine sent me a pic of a rattler that had grabbed hold of his ankles while hunting in San Angelo, TX. Shot it off of him; fortunately, he had on snake boots. I personally have nearly been bit once - that was enough for me to always wear snake boots in warm weather.
I would think it would take a pretty big snake to get a good bite thru rubber boots.
With the heavy rubber and spacing between the leg and the boot it would take a pretty long fang to penetrate I would guess.
In SW Alabama last spring a 6 foot timber rattler bit through rubber boots and his pants leg. Said it felt like someone had hit him with a baseball bat.
You may be one lucky hunter who never gets close to one. I have straddled a coiled rattler and actually relieved myself on its head, unknowingly of course , in less than 8" high millet. Stepped over some and almost stepped on cotton mouths so there is always that possibility.
I have been hunting in Florida for close to fifty years, not as many snakes as there used to be. With all the development and road construction a good portion of the population has been wiped out. But there are snakes still out there just not as many. I was deer hunting a number of years ago which where Disney is located now; a friend and myself were walking off a sand ridge covered with palmettos down into a hardwood bottom. There was a trough off the sand ridge that was created by rains eroding the ridge that made a path though the palmettos down into the bottom. I walk first and my friend followed me and thought he walked into a cactus and did not think a lot about it. When he got home he found he had two fan marks about his boot. He never went to the doctor and ended up being sick for a week and the area around the fan marks rotted out and to this day has a depression on the side of his leg.
Another time when hunting in the Green Swamp I was hunting down in a cypress head in some snakey looking country and stepped on a water moccasin head by accident and had his head pinned under my boot and he wrapped his body around my foot and calf. I could not move my foot and I ended up un-wrapping the moccasins body with the muzzle of my rifle and ended up shooting snake next to my boot. Water Moccasins are far more aggressive then rattlesnakes, especially if you are in the water with them. They are very territorial and will come after you in the water. I had another one strike at me and miss as I was water down in a cypress head, it was lying on top of a rotten stump and I did not see it as I walked by and I heard it after I walked by as it hit the water.
Another time I was looking for a hog that was shot while bow hunting in a cypress head and it start to rain cats and dogs and the water was running off the ridges into the cypress head and the water started to come up and I started to see snakes everywhere. It would remind you of old Indiana Jones movie.
As the water rose the snakes were been flushed out of their hiding places. I could only take a few steps at a time and work my way out of that cypress head.
Hunting in Florida snakes are a fact of like, I never give it a second thought, I just watch where I step and sit.
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
I didn't get past the sentence posted at the beginning of the video. No thanks. Ain't watching.
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
That video was pretty neat. Good thing he not crawl up your pants leg.
I don't think about them until I see one and then I really think of them. When I see one, I thy to cut a 3/4 inch sapling, trim off the branches and wop them across their back as close to their head as possible. I then whisper some expletives to them. If one has a good hide, I may come back later and skin him.
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
Holy crap! No thank you! It would be a horrible day for someone or something if I woke up with a cotton mouth on my leg! Congrats to whoever was able to stat calm and shoot the video! I would have unloaded the shotgun at that snake, my leg, sticks, anything to relieve the situation!
It's pretty painful especially if you get bit twice. (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/04/a4e3e7yq.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/04/uza2y4a5.jpg)
Dang...were you barefooted ?
It was about 10pm. Went out to my truck to get my cellphone wearing flip flops. Went to step in thought a wasp stung me. Split second realized it hurt to bad for that. My truck has lights under the mirrors and when I don't lock it they stay lit up for awhile. The copper head was curled up right under that light. Don't know if that had anything to do with it or just bad luck. Lol the worst part the dinky hospital I went to gave me a pretty weak antibiotic and a secondary infection set in.
Quote from: Stoner on March 02, 2014, 09:52:56 PM
Another time I was looking for a hog that was shot while bow hunting in a cypress head and it start to rain cats and dogs and the water was running off the ridges into the cypress head and the water started to come up and I started to see snakes everywhere. It would remind you of old Indiana Jones movie.
As the water rose the snakes were been flushed out of their hiding places. I could only take a few steps at a time and work my way out of that cypress head.
Hunting in Florida snakes are a fact of like, I never give it a second thought, I just watch where I step and sit.
Man that would of been freaky ,,,I hate snakes ,,,iam glad we don't have to deal with to many LOL
Quote from: RAJ on March 02, 2014, 09:07:14 PM
In SW Alabama last spring a 6 foot timber rattler bit through rubber boots and his pants leg. Said it felt like someone had hit him with a baseball bat.
I talked with my buddy that personally knows the Alabama fellow that got bit last year....the guy was wearing those foam top Muck boots ?
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzvweqcdN01r2phoy.gif)
For the few times I hunt snake country, I hate to buy another pair of boots, but I am probably hunting Texas this year. I believe my boots around the sole would handle a snake bite, but I plan on probably ordering snake proof gaiters to handle my legs up to the knee. They also make chaps, but I do not ever hear about someone struck above the knee. These products are also great for hunting heavy cactus and thorny areas. Knee high gaiters 59.99 and chaps 79.99. Another option from boots.
Quote from: Jay on March 03, 2014, 06:01:16 PM
For the few times I hunt snake country, I hate to buy another pair of boots, but I am probably hunting Texas this year. I believe my boots around the sole would handle a snake bite, but I plan on probably ordering snake proof gaiters to handle my legs up to the knee. They also make chaps, but I do not ever hear about someone struck above the knee. These products are also great for hunting heavy cactus and thorny areas. Knee high gaiters 59.99 and chaps 79.99. Another option from boots.
They will help in TX with the thorns to. Never seen so many damn thorny plants in my life.
Quote from: GomerPyle on March 03, 2014, 02:29:33 PM
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzvweqcdN01r2phoy.gif)
That's me, except shooting as I go
Quote from: CASH on March 04, 2014, 06:03:16 AM
Quote from: GomerPyle on March 03, 2014, 02:29:33 PM
Quote from: tomstopper on March 02, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Quote from: CASH on March 02, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I know two guys that have been struck. One was struck in the calf area of his snakeboot and the boot did it's job.
I don't know if they'd end up helping or not, but I'm flat out sissified scared of snakes so I wear them for piece of mind
:agreed: Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine Cash.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyUVMlTx_U
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzvweqcdN01r2phoy.gif)
That's me, except shooting as I go
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :fud:
Quote from: Jay on March 03, 2014, 06:01:16 PM
For the few times I hunt snake country, I hate to buy another pair of boots, but I am probably hunting Texas this year. I believe my boots around the sole would handle a snake bite, but I plan on probably ordering snake proof gaiters to handle my legs up to the knee. They also make chaps, but I do not ever hear about someone struck above the knee. These products are also great for hunting heavy cactus and thorny areas. Knee high gaiters 59.99 and chaps 79.99. Another option from boots.
I have two pairs, won't have boots on the ground when it's warm without them. Have yet to see any "bad boys" in 9 years in my area, others have. See a few nonpoisonous now and again. :camohat: So far so good :icon_thumright:
Quote from: L.F. Cox on March 03, 2014, 02:05:44 PM
Quote from: RAJ on March 02, 2014, 09:07:14 PM
In SW Alabama last spring a 6 foot timber rattler bit through rubber boots and his pants leg. Said it felt like someone had hit him with a baseball bat.
I talked with my buddy that personally knows the Alabama fellow that got bit last year....the guy was wearing those foam top Muck boots ?
You are correct on the Muck boot. Very comfortable and roll down easily for putting on. I have seen plenty during my years but those don't bother me. It is the ones I don't see that I wonder about.
Quote from: Frank G
I have two pairs, won't have boots on the ground when it's warm without them.
Which ones do you have?
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/05/u2ejepe4.jpg)
Justins
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Jay on March 03, 2014, 06:01:16 PM
For the few times I hunt snake country, I hate to buy another pair of boots, but I am probably hunting Texas this year. I believe my boots around the sole would handle a snake bite, but I plan on probably ordering snake proof gaiters to handle my legs up to the knee. They also make chaps, but I do not ever hear about someone struck above the knee. These products are also great for hunting heavy cactus and thorny areas. Knee high gaiters 59.99 and chaps 79.99. Another option from boots.
Lots of us woods workers wear the gaiters instead of snake boots. They have some that are pretty comfortable and they keep those pants legs from getting so wet when walking through morning dew on food plot grass,etc. Look for them on ebay as well.
Quote from: Turkey Trot on March 04, 2014, 02:43:22 PM
Quote from: Frank G
I have two pairs, won't have boots on the ground when it's warm without them.
Which ones do you have?
The first pair (the oldest 8 yrs) are Red Head from Bass Pro zipups. Some of the Red Head stuff is rather "chintzy" but these are perfect. Comfortable, waterproof warm and ware like iron. I'll spray them at the biginning of the spring and fall seasons. I stalk so comfort is paramount. I was in BP this weekend, they have the same boot for $150.00, when I purchased mine I remember $95.00.
The second is a pair of Irish Setter lace ups, no question a quality boot. I swap each day when I'm out ....... let them air out. The only issue is the lace ups are a "pain" to get on and off, other then that all day comfort with either. I saw a pair of Rockey snake boots last week, nice lace ups to set confort with a full length side zip. Almost purchased them....... The Rockey would be the next pair. All my cold weather boots are Rockey so I know they are good boots. When out there all day, dry, wet, muddy, swamps, cold, snow and a long walk back ...... I don't skip on foot ware. Hope this helps. I suggest the Rockey a bit pricey but will last for years. :icon_thumright: Actually you may look in the discount shoe outlets. The one I was in had a complete line of Rockey boots. AND a lot more economically priced then the big houses.
Crocks for me....
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/oldgobbler3/IMG_20140304_082551_404-1.jpg)
In a pinch I've been known to hunt bare foot. :camohat:
(http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/0_1.jpg) (http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/26913/title/he-ain-27t-dead-till-yer-foots-on-his-head/cat/500)
Quote from: Old Gobbler on March 04, 2014, 06:48:12 PM
Crocks for me....
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/oldgobbler3/IMG_20140304_082551_404-1.jpg)
I hope that 10 gauge of yours chewed him up........
Quote from: tomstopper on March 04, 2014, 08:41:25 PM
Quote from: Old Gobbler on March 04, 2014, 06:48:12 PM
Crocks for me....
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/oldgobbler3/IMG_20140304_082551_404-1.jpg)
I hope that 10 gauge of yours chewed him up........
Couldn't believe it when I saw OG hunt Alabama woods in crocks. Told him he was nuts
You snake wranglers are crazy.
Joe
Quote from: L.F. Cox on March 04, 2014, 07:20:39 PM
In a pinch I've been known to hunt bare foot. :camohat:
(http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/0_1.jpg) (http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/26913/title/he-ain-27t-dead-till-yer-foots-on-his-head/cat/500)
Dang, Shannon musta' used that pic to create last years patch !! ;D ;D ;D
I let that one go ---
The real big diamondbacks get a stick over the head , they can hide real good that pattern is a good camouflage , your standing there and all you can hear is bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - look down , look around - whatever you do , don't move
One of the worse things you can do in a hunting camp is start leaving gut piles out the back - that brings is rodents ...... AND The snakes zone in on the rats and mice , that and flipping over old logs for fire wood will win you a snake bite in a hurry
I gave up many years ago on hunting boots ' I destroy them , I'll wear crocks most of the time , or a pair of lacrosse boots , I like the lacrosse boots, there nice - sometimes in a blue moon I'll wear a pair wetsuit booties , you can walk real quiet with a pair of wetsuit booties
Out of all the snakes down here , the ones you got to be the most cautious of is the moccasins , those things are nasty , and they won't hesitate to bite - a lot of the times when you come up across a rattler , they are scared real bad , and want you to go away - not the moccasin , they will strike at you , they will even go after the tractor tires as they drive by ....nasty mean snake - you'll see sometimes out in the field a cow with a big swole up head , moccasin bit ......
I would not want to test my rubber boots against these fangs. This one took a pine limb across the head.
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/limbwalker1/b7506336.jpg)
You know I had a lease once on some timber property with a lot of chert and I just knew it would be crawling with snakes.. And boy I was right. So I bought a pair of Cabelas Pinnacle zip up snake boots before season. In my first scout trip I stepped over a log right next to a copperhead. Then towards the end of the year I stepped on a big timber rattler...
Even though I don't hunt there anymore I will still hunt with my snake boots. They actually are much lighter than most my boots and walk better too, plus they are waterproof.
I have a pair of Danner lace up snake boots for peace of mind. We have plenty of snakes.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff47/cahabarivr/SNAKES_006.jpg) (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/cahabarivr/media/SNAKES_006.jpg.html)
These snakes were killed at a hunting cabin one county over from me.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff47/cahabarivr/ChiltonCountyRattler.jpg) (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/cahabarivr/media/ChiltonCountyRattler.jpg.html)
This snake was killed 8 miles down the road from me.
im not to worried about it where we hunt. ive never seen a rattler in a hunting situation. I kill more poisonous snakes mowing yards then hunting. what is crazy there is not telling what how many snakes we walk over beside and never even know of. I will say moccasins are by far the meanest snakes ive ever seen they do not back down. ive seen them bit at weed eaters, tractors, mowers all kinds of stuff. those are the ones I am always a little weary about. I know that a snake could bit through my mucks but I have yet to find any snake boots I like. I am rough on boots and so far mucks are the only ones that can hold up to me.
Quote from: tnturkey on March 05, 2014, 01:42:22 AM
im not to worried about it where we hunt. ive never seen a rattler in a hunting situation. I kill more poisonous snakes mowing yards then hunting. what is crazy there is not telling what how many snakes we walk over beside and never even know of. I will say moccasins are by far the meanest snakes ive ever seen they do not back down. ive seen them bit at weed eaters, tractors, mowers all kinds of stuff. those are the ones I am always a little weary about. I know that a snake could bit through my mucks but I have yet to find any snake boots I like. I am rough on boots and so far mucks are the only ones that can hold up to me.
The last 5 times I've been hunting in warm weather, I've almost stepped on and killed 5 cottonmouths. 4 were about 4 feet long and 1 small one. (http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab192/strutzone18/871D936F-D4B0-4760-B633-4C747F651E3A.jpg) (http://s863.photobucket.com/user/strutzone18/media/871D936F-D4B0-4760-B633-4C747F651E3A.jpg.html)
(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab192/strutzone18/C924F0B0-7501-4087-BEAA-1DDFD0CE43E8.jpg) (http://s863.photobucket.com/user/strutzone18/media/C924F0B0-7501-4087-BEAA-1DDFD0CE43E8.jpg.html)
(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab192/strutzone18/F6C1F443-CA8C-4060-95BE-BEDBCE8DF382.jpg) (http://s863.photobucket.com/user/strutzone18/media/F6C1F443-CA8C-4060-95BE-BEDBCE8DF382.jpg.html)
(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab192/strutzone18/6D090CD5-82C4-4B40-AD6E-28C9F0818BB4.jpg) (http://s863.photobucket.com/user/strutzone18/media/6D090CD5-82C4-4B40-AD6E-28C9F0818BB4.jpg.html)
I agree with you all that water moccasins are the meanest snakes. I remember when I was stationed at Camp Lejeune NC and used to have to qualify with our M1A1 tanks/crews yearly (Tank Gunnery). Because of the 120mm main gun, they built a course out in an actual swamp. We had to constantly be on the look out for Rattlers and Cottonmouths. Check under your cot, sleeping bag, before you put your feet down in the morning, showers, etc. One day we had a cottonmouth slither into our chow hall and tried to push it out with a push broom and instead of retreating, it tried to come up the handle of the broom. Nasty little bugger who ended up getting his head chopped off. Always wondered why the military never issued us boots that were snake resistant. All I know is if I have them, I am wearing them....
P.S. Shannon you have got some balls of steal my friend for hunting in crocks.....
Quote from: RAJ on March 04, 2014, 03:27:14 PMLots of us woods workers wear the gaiters instead of snake boots. They have some that are pretty comfortable and they keep those pants legs from getting so wet when walking through morning dew on food plot grass,etc. Look for them on ebay as well.
Who makes the gaiters woods workers believe are worth owning? Some of what is out there looks like garbage.
Quote from: BowBendr on March 04, 2014, 11:01:27 PM
Quote from: L.F. Cox on March 04, 2014, 07:20:39 PM
In a pinch I've been known to hunt bare foot. :camohat:
(http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/0_1.jpg) (http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/26913/title/he-ain-27t-dead-till-yer-foots-on-his-head/cat/500)
Dang, Shannon musta' used that pic to create last years patch !! ;D ;D ;D
Have never seen "toe jam" used as bait before :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: The GWs would never expect it. :icon_thumright:
I shouldn't have even opened this thread the 1st time to look at it. I won't be worth shooting the next time I go walk the woods.......gonna' be hard to not dream about them fangs tonite as it is..........
:newmascot:
Quote from: Flydown on March 04, 2014, 11:38:21 PM
I would not want to test my rubber boots against these fangs. This one took a pine limb across the head.
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/limbwalker1/b7506336.jpg)
I forgot to mention that this snake hit my right leg a few inches below my right knee.... Thank god I wore my snake boots for the first time all summer. Yep,I'm a believer!
I grew up hunting Florida myself. Kind of funny, probably not the smartest thing in the world, but I never wore snake boots. Only thing I every wore was Lacrosse rubber boots. One time I drove up to Steinhatchee Fl. to turkey hunt. I got there about noon of Friday and left about lunch time Sunday. During that time I killed 4 cottonmouths, 2 pigmy rattlers, and a 4 1/2 ft. diamondback. Funny thing is, snakes never really bothered me, but I would hurt myself trying to get away from one of those big nasty banana spiders.
Quote from: Turkey Trot on March 05, 2014, 02:49:09 PM
Quote from: RAJ on March 04, 2014, 03:27:14 PMLots of us woods workers wear the gaiters instead of snake boots. They have some that are pretty comfortable and they keep those pants legs from getting so wet when walking through morning dew on food plot grass,etc. Look for them on ebay as well.
Who makes the gaiters woods workers believe are worth owning? Some of what is out there looks like garbage.
I like and depend upon Rattlers Brand sold at Construction Safety Products for about $48.
Grew up hunting the SE and most of the snakes that tried to bite me would have been in the face and waist or chest area..if I had of still been where I was when they struck.
Only time I wore snake boots was if I was going to be hunting or going through real thick palmettoes. They hold too much water for my kinda hunting in the swamps..but I do recommend them for everybody else.
I have read on different forums that most have been struck in the arms and hands while siting on the ground hunting. Most times by reaching or brushing up against foliage.