Always debated spending 150 on a pair of boots that everyone hates and end up leaking after 2 years. I think I may spend some money and try out the gaitors. I worry more about it in summer scouting and the spring when turkey hunting because that's when I spend the most time in the woods when its warm. I have been scared shitakeless many of times tho. I actually had a baby rattler come and lick my boot when I was hunting the early season in GA from a ground blind
GO GATORS!
well id wear them. Because you dont want the first snake bite. After i ran into a 6ft rattle snake i wear mine all the time unless im going to fill feeders because its mowed and cleared out all the way to the feeder and stand.
If your walking through thick stuff where you cant see where your stepping why wouldnt you wear them. I mean ok you dont have to have snake boots.. Just some high boots. IMO most snakes wont get through most boots anyway. Thell snap at it and probably wont penetrate.. How if you are wearing neoprene boots thats different im thinking (and not sure) that a snake will bite right through them unless you have the rubber on the sides of the legs like muck and other good boots.
Look at it like this. Will wearing snake boots hurt you? NO Will not wearing them hurt you one day? YES. When i have mine on i walk through the thick stuff and dont worry.. When i wear just hiking boots im taking my time and watching every step. In that time you miss rubbs and other crap.
And dont think you can wear sneakers to the stand because when you shoot that game and have to track it they are gonna run right into snake thick territory. So keep that in mind. On my lease its dry so i have to worry bout rattlers. But in some spots where the water is all the dam moccasins are there since theres not alot of water.
If your ever going to walk more then a 1/4 mile WEAR THEM. it takes a quarter mile walk back to the truck to get get your heart pumping enough to have a rattle snake bite be pretty serious or maybee deadly.
-Cr0ck1
i wear mine all the time unless im going to fill feeders because its mowed and cleared out all the way to the feeder and stand.
If there is one place you need to be careful, it is in fact around a feeder. Feed attracts rodents as well. Rodents attract snakes. A rattle snake will blend in and you will have your foot on it before you realize it. Ask Steve about it. He's killed 6 timber rattlers under one feeder this summer in his lake City lease
If you get bit by a snake, your heart is going to be pumping no matter how far you are from the truck. You'll probably have to calm yourself down if you can. I wouldn't use that 1/4 mile rule. Where did you hear that from?
I have some gaiter's I bought from SG for 20-30 bucks and usually wear them over my boots but a little loose so they're comfortable. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing them. I put them on when I park and when I get to the stand I take them off and leave them at the base of the tree. I also have some Woody Armor Snake Proof Muck boots but don't wear them as much cause they're heavy and loud when trying to sneak around the woods. If it's dry wherever I'm gonna be I wear some slip on camo shoes but still use the gaiters. I got hit by a small rattler ( 3' or so ) while wearing the gaiters a few years back and they worked just fine. Where I was at this last weekend there were mocassins everywhere and I wouldn't think about walking around without something on. I also agree with Allen on having more snakes around a feeder.
