I just bought a property in Arkansas to hunt on. Several of my friends say to get snake boots. Several say no reason too.

I wear them up until it gets cold. Is it necessary? Not yet. I've never been struck or struck at. I have had a couple of "Oh Chit" moments where is was uncomfortably close to a venomous snake before I noticed it. I have had those moments both wearing snake boots and not wearing snake boots. I prefer snake boots for the peace of mind.

I don't wear snake boots for snakes. I wear them for thorns, cactus, barb wire, and all other kinds of stuff i typically walk thru

I wear them if we will be out working on the deer lease. I know I'll be walking in grass and moving stuff and it helps protect from other things also. If not, I'll wear my normal hunting boots. We have seen snakes multiple times, and it does give you more protection and a little bit of piece of mind.

West TX yes when step out the truck. When I hunted SW Arkansas all over area including your new area, nope; but I did encounter some large mocassins in the sloughs that make you pucker

Due to various foot issues, I don't invest in expensive snake boots, but it isn't because I don't want them. I settle for wearing snake gaiters.

Do I need them? Never been struck by a snake. Of course, I could get bitten tomorrow. There is no way to know. However, I have had my lower legs shredded numerous types by briars. The cost has been minimal compared to the relief I have attained, plus a sense that I am less likely to suffer from a venomous snake bite.

Mr. T., if your property is kept like the green of a golf course and you only go out during the day, then you don't need snake boots. If it is raw land and vegetation over your ankles, snake boots or at least snake gaiters are a good idea.

Same

I have lace up "Rockies" that aren't much heavier than regular boots so I wear them maybe half the time. If I'll be out at dark or in habitat with grass or brush where I can't see where I'm putting my feet, then I'll usually wear them.
QUESTION. There is a rattlesnake round up every year in Sweetwater and the guys walk around in the pit wearing cowboy boots. It LOOKS LIKE a rattlesnake can't bit through the boot but there are a lot of different type boots. When I was a kid I had some made out of bull hide. They were pretty tough but now boots are made out of glove leather, very thin leather. Any comments appreciated.

Do you have a brand you recommend? My foot shape means I have an extremely limited selection of boots and gaiters seem like a better way to go to help with the flexibility of shoe type.

Like others, if I am out at dark, especially to and from blind, I wear them for piece of mind - and thorns. Never been struck at, but been too close for comfort a time or two. In Ark, I am guessing it is not just rattlesnakes, but also copperheads. I grew up in SE Okla and believe copperheads to be more aggressive, and harder to see. Those things blend into dead leaves and almost disappear, so snake boots a very good idea.

Mine are slip on Rockies, and pretty comfortable, but warm. My wife has the lace ups and swears they are the most comfortable shoes she owns. She probably wears hers more than I wear mine as I sometimes just go with my work boots when out during day.

Also, while it hasn't happened to me, I've heard plenty of stories of ranchers working on fence or cattle for hours, only to look down and have a snake close that they hadn't seen until that moment. They are stealthy!

I wear them year round when hunting in south texas.

Like a spare tire, you only need them when you need them. Love my comfortable lace ups.

My lease is all thorns and prickly stuff, so it’s a no brainer.

I've been hit by big rattlesnakes several times while just wearing leather boots. Never had an issue.

Boots and gaiters at all times in West Texas while at the farm.

I have a pair for working at the ranch and a pair for hunting when it’s above 50 degrees.
I stepped over a small rattler layer up under my threshold the first night I spent at my ranch. I’ve worn then religiously ever since.

I wear them most all the time, still watch the ground, but a little insurance to help protect me. Summer time sucks in them, but suck it up and get your work or fun done with little to worry about.

i wear snake and briar chaps when doing a lot of hiking around our ranch out west. Gives you a little extra level of conform going through cactus for hours on end.

Same. Below 50 degrees or so I opt for comfort and ditch the boots.

Speaking of comfort, I highly recommend the Danner San Angelo snake boots.

I primarily wear snake boots bc of cactus and other prickly thorny plants in west Texas. Makes stalking hogs at night much easier.

Depends on temp and how I feel...I wear them but can't say I wear them every time. I've got a Magellan pair that look like a square toe cowboy boot.

If I'm walking throughout my place in the warmer months, I absolutely wear them unless I'm on a tractor or something like that. During the hunting season, I find that I'll wear insulated rubber boots for the cold morning hunts, but I'll wear my Chips during the afternoon hunts as it usually was warmed up considerably during the day.

I wear them every time.

Raised and live on a ranch here and never owned a pair. Watch where I step.
Ran around in tennis shoes then and do now. Probably not smart but I’m used to it.
I have been tempted but never pulled the trigger.
And we have plenty of rattlers here.

I hunt near Cotulla and wear them all of the time.

The current pair made by Danner are very comfortable and help protect against thorns too.

Make sure to watch up as well as down as rattlers can and do climb up in the brush.