Are Snake Boots really necessary for dove hunting?

I will be hunting in the San Antonio area and have noticed that snake boots are sold in all the outdoor stores...Bass Pro/Cabela's/Academy...etc.

What are your thoughts...are they really needed or just another high dollar fashion statement?

Joe

I roll with camo crocs!

It's probably too hot for snakes to be out.....

I've worn everything from snake boots to flipflops depending on where I was hunting.

The past few years I wear tall snake boots when out for the weeds as much as anything else...

Yeah, they’re a must if you value your life at all.

There's no reason not to wear them. Sure, they're not as comfortable as crocs, but you'll be glad you have them on if you run into a serpent.

I guess they are a nice insurance policy if I meet up with "no-shoulders jake"...

But "jake" will be the one on the wrong end of the 20 gauge...LOL

This time of year I air on the side of caution and wear them.

I'll go with fashion statement.

they will be in the truck, depends on where I'm set up. Grass and mesquites, yep better to wear, better safe that sorry.

A few years ago walking out to hunt on opening morning I was thinking to myself how uncomfortable and hot my snake boots were, and how I'd never seen a snake out at the dove lease. I stepped over this guy at least twice that morning in the dark before he finally moved on the third pass and I shot him. Didn't know what kind of snake it was when I shot, but then he started rattling.

I wear my snake boots all the time now.

Snake boots are about $150, antivenom is about $10,000 per dose and you'll need several doses. Seems like really cheap insurance.

Says the snake whisperer... what about the rest of us?

I usually wear snake boots, but in some spots I don't. My dogs on the other hand get the vaccine and avoidance training every year.

This, if you are hunting where there are rattlers. I dove hunt west texas and they are everywhere, so you are playing russian roulette without any rattle snake protection. And my dog gets the rattle snake vaccine and goes thru snake avoidance training before ever dove season as well. I use cheap gaiters from Acadamy, had mine for over 10 years, the boots are overkill and way too hot, and not good for walking/hiking which I like to do while dove hunting.

I have those, too. Bought them for my son when his foot was growing a size per year and I couldn't afford new boots every Fall. They work, but my snake boots are way more comfortable for upland hunting. I couldn't imagine walking 10+ miles a day in gators.

I prefer them even when deer hunting in the winter cuz they're very comfortable and keep me warm up to my knees.

Perfect!

it only takes one bite to ruin your day and cause all kinds of inconveniences to people around you

Reminds me of the story about the Lone Ranger
He had squatted down to let nature take it's course when he was bit on the end of his manhood by a rattle snake
He called on his friend Tonto and asked that he ride to town and ask a doctor what needed to be done to save him
So Tonto jumped on his horse rode over mountains through valleys and across a raging river to town and asked the doctor what he needed to do
The doctor told him to make a small slit with his knife where the fangs hit and suck the poison out.
Tonto jumped on his horse rode across a ragging river through a valley and across a mountain and returned to the Lone Ranger
The Ranger asked "Tonto what did the doctor say?
Tonto said "Kimo Sabe, you gonna die

Chippawa swear toed snake boots

Chips go on when I go thru the gate and stay on until I return to the hwy. Every day all day. Into my 70's now and my cat like reflexes are not what they were back when I wore my camo crocs.

Chips are for sure the greatest footwear i have ever worn in the field. LOVE THEM!

I just wear my work cowboy boots. I have never owned "snake boots" and have deer/dove hunted West Tx for years now. Awareness is the key. If your stepping on/over snakes and not knowing it then, well yes insurance and snake boots are for you.

Fasion statement, for sure.

More like, marketing trend.

I think 99.9999% of populat camo and gear is a whole lot of marketing and junk.

Sweet Pea rockin her South Texas dove attire, YES, Chips required.



daddy makin his fashion statement

I freak some folks out because I train bare footed sometimes when I am at the house.

When I’m out in the pasture the boots are on . Been wearing Irish Setter snake boots and love em, super light compared to my other boots.