Forums46
Topics538,031
Posts9,732,153
Members87,055
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650556
07/28/22 02:41 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I wore them everyday when I managed a ranch over 35 miles from Cotulla. I was on the ranch alone most of the year and the closest hospital with antivenom was 63 miles away and next closest was 84 miles. I wore them due to killing over 50 snakes per year and the distance to a hospital. I was born and raised in South Texas and learned to watch for snakes every day of the year. I've killed them 2 days before Christmas and 2 days after Christmas when it snowed on Christmas eve. Temps were in the 40s that afternoon we killed two snakes. I don't were snake boots now and we have killed 8 rattlesnakes this year in NW Gillespie County.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650561
07/28/22 02:47 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 920
DUKFVR
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 920 |
I wear them ,because we have a lot of cactus. I don't worry about snakes.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650579
07/28/22 03:18 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,773
Big_Ag
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,773 |
When I was young, had a 5 foot rattlesnake crawl between my buddies feet when we were dove hunting down in Cotulla. Been wearing them since. Was on an invited quail hunt several years ago with a bunch of business colleagues. A couple of guys did not have snake boots. A guy without them was walking in front of one of the guides and felt something move under his feet as he walked by. The guide followed right behind him and got struck in the back of his snake boot calf high. The venom was dripping down the boot. Said the force of the strike felt like someone hit him with a baseball bat on the back of his calf. Needless to say the guys without snake boots hightailed it to town to get some snake boots.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650648
07/28/22 11:25 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,039
jetdad
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,039 |
If you can find a pair that's comfortable for you then why not? I wear them around my house when doing yard work. There are places that the grass gets a little high and it gives me some comfort when I can't see the ground where I step. Copperheads are an issue where I am. I used to wear them al the time when I hunted out near Crowell. We saw and killed lots of rattlers there. I looked for a long time before I found some that would go on and off easy. if they are a pain to get into I knew I wouldn't go to the trouble.
Last edited by jetdad; 07/28/22 11:26 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650729
07/28/22 01:42 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,422
Sewer rat
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,422 |
I have never worn them hunting but I wear them at work all the time. When hunting I am not that worried because I am not as distracted and only walk where I want to meaning more cleared paths. At work I am often distracted looking at survey equipment and not watching where I walk and I also often have to go through nasty thick areas with who knows what hiding in there.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650736
07/28/22 01:50 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,980
Jimbo1
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,980 |
I've been struck by a rattler in tall grass, luckily, I was wearing my snake boots. Like others have said they're helpful for fending off the thorny stuff.
FJB - Lets Go Brandon BBB - Bring Back Better Awake - Not Woke!
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: stxranchman]
#8650751
07/28/22 02:14 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475 |
I wore them everyday when I managed a ranch over 35 miles from Cotulla. I was on the ranch alone most of the year and the closest hospital with antivenom was 63 miles away and next closest was 84 miles. I wore them due to killing over 50 snakes per year and the distance to a hospital. I was born and raised in South Texas and learned to watch for snakes every day of the year. I've killed them 2 days before Christmas and 2 days after Christmas when it snowed on Christmas eve. Temps were in the 40s that afternoon we killed two snakes. I don't were snake boots now and we have killed 8 rattlesnakes this year in NW Gillespie County. WHY did you quit wearing them?
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650830
07/28/22 03:57 PM
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
|
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
Wear mine all the time. You can't watch wear you're stepping when you're pig hunting at night, especially running. That said, I wear them mainly to protect my legs against thorns and especially cactus.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8650851
07/28/22 04:18 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213 |
I remember laughing at people who wore snake boots, ear plugs, clip on cap lights & such. Now I readily utilize all and laugh at myself.
Last edited by Hudbone; 07/28/22 04:19 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#8650859
07/28/22 04:23 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331 |
I've been hit by big rattlesnakes several times while just wearing leather boots. Never had an issue. If you are still out there...the snakes couldn't bite through a leather boot? I wonder whether snake boots are overkill. Years ago folks just wore high top leather boots. I tried gaiters but sometimes the bottom of the gaiter audibly rubs against the boot, which isn't great for stalk type hunting.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651264
07/29/22 01:06 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 194
grizzlyman
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 194 |
I do. Almost stepped on a cottonmouth several.years ago bow hunting. Glad I had snake boots on. Always wear them but it isn't just snakes that they are good for.
NRA Certified Rifle/ML Instructor NRA Certified RSO Graduate of Benning's School for Wayward Boys
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Double Naught Spy]
#8651332
07/29/22 03:00 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,167
flintknapper
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,167 |
However, I have had my lower legs shredded numerous types by briars. Yeah, sometimes it would be good to have boots of some kind on. Greenbriar is bad where I am located. Then an 'over-swing' on a soft pine sapling right after sharpening my machete. Had me on my second towel here. First towel completely blood soaked. All the way to the shin bone and beyond. Boots might have been appropriate here as well. I don't wear Snake Boots in Deep East Texas because we really only have Copperheads and Cottonmouths. Just regular leather boots will suffice for those. I DO wear snake boots when in South Texas though. A few years ago....I was checking some game cameras and came up on this Buttermilk Racer. It was a cool November morning and the snake was not moving at ALL. I didn't know if it was dead or just sluggish from the temperature. Had its head buried beneath its body. NO movement whatsoever. So I nudged it with my foot/shoe and it popped me before I could blink an eye. Just a scratch...but they are FAST.
Spartans ask not...how many, but where!
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651333
07/29/22 03:03 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
Have never worn them....I just always watch where I am walking and I don't really walk through tall grass much, but I do wear cowboy boots all the time. I very rarely see snakes where I hunt.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651376
07/29/22 05:33 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,687
SherpaPhil
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,687 |
I just wear heavy leather boots all the time, but never snake boots. I've seen plenty of venomous snakes, but never really a close call. For me, its just not worth it to be uncomfortable all the time just to be protected from a pretty unlikely occurrence. I understand its a risk, but so is driving to where I'll hunt.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651463
07/29/22 12:50 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,410
Choctaw
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,410 |
I grew up in the country and have never worn them. It is just second nature to keep an eye on the ground. 58 years without any problems.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Choctaw]
#8651543
07/29/22 02:07 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,167
flintknapper
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,167 |
I grew up in the country and have never worn them. It is just second nature to keep an eye on the ground. 58 years without any problems. Even with boots on.....I keep an eye out. Like you....I am just accustomed to doing so. 68 years and no issues so far. The only snakes I've been bitten by were ones I was handling, all of those bites were non-venomous.
Spartans ask not...how many, but where!
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: flintknapper]
#8651553
07/29/22 02:22 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 92
jdangler
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 92 |
Wear em just about every time I am out at the lease, better to have and not need, then need and not have in my opinion
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651555
07/29/22 02:23 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,778
J.R.
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,778 |
I was blood-trailing a wounded boar at night a couple years ago through a dry creek bed. BAM! I had stepped on a copperhead that struck me in the ankle. I have NO idea how that strike didn't make it through my jeans and simple, leather boots, but it didn't. All I can figure is that because I stepped on him, he didn't have a good angle.
Now, I wear snake boots every moment in the field unless weather conditions mean they just won't be out at all.
"First come smiles, then lies. Last is gunfire."
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651874
07/29/22 08:50 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,109
DukeCigars
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,109 |
Cowboy boots do the job for me
I buy a new pair of Ariats every 5 or so years and retire the aged pair for yard/outside type work. Wear’em all around for the same reasons mentioned above too. Thorns, brush, snakes, whatever
Car guy. Serial entrepreneur. Terrible golfer.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8651890
07/29/22 09:00 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,406
ElkOne
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,406 |
I always wear them in South Texas day and night. Nearly got bit on the 19 of Jan south of Freer, in some areas it's a long way to anti venom...
ElkOne
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: stxranchman]
#8652146
07/30/22 01:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 66
LeftHandStan
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 66 |
I wore them everyday when I managed a ranch over 35 miles from Cotulla. I was on the ranch alone most of the year and the closest hospital with antivenom was 63 miles away and next closest was 84 miles. I wore them due to killing over 50 snakes per year and the distance to a hospital. I was born and raised in South Texas and learned to watch for snakes every day of the year. I've killed them 2 days before Christmas and 2 days after Christmas when it snowed on Christmas eve. Temps were in the 40s that afternoon we killed two snakes. I don't were snake boots now and we have killed 8 rattlesnakes this year in NW Gillespie County. Out of curiosity, what's been your experience when it comes to being too hot (temp wise) for rattlesnakes? I'm thinking summer time, noon to five pm or so. Any encounters when things were on the hot side?
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8653791
08/01/22 05:08 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 394
Old Smuggler
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 394 |
Never had a pair until about 5 years ago when I got on a lease in Palo Pinto. Never saw a snake until the one time my buddy nearly stepped on one coming back to the 4 wheeler from turkey hunting. New lease further west and still wear them. Like others have said helps with the brush and thorns walking through the pasture. Of course the only snake I have seen was next to the RV tire while I was wearing crocs!
Last edited by Old Smuggler; 08/01/22 05:10 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8653884
08/01/22 06:46 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,444
Superduty
"The Regulator"
|
"The Regulator"
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,444 |
I wear them when hunting, dove or deer. Better safe than sorry, plus if I am probably going to hunt in boots anyway so why not snake boots.
'It's Only Treason if You Lose."
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8653968
08/01/22 08:17 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,793
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,793 |
I wear mine even in the winter. They keep my feet warm, and protect from cactus and thorny brush. Plus S Texas rattle bugs are out all year.
|
|
|
Re: Snake boots, how many wear them?
[Re: Mr. T.]
#8653981
08/01/22 08:27 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,969
gary roberson
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,969 |
I wear them when hunting by myself around here and South Texas. I am too old to get out of the way and my vision is not quite as good as it was thirty years ago. I have been struck at on two occasions and it is a little unnerving. I have never been struck but witnessed a good buddy get it on the hand. Adios, Gary
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|