regular uninsulated boots won't stop them.
One thing to think about is that older snakes have the ability to strike and not deliver the venom. In AZ, there are two kinds, Hemo toxin, and Nero toxin.
Hemo is an anti blood coagulant, and will make the affected area turn dark purple fast. the swelling is amazing too. Don't take your boot off.
Nero toxin affects your neurological network, making you appear drunk and disorentated. It is dangerous since the venom can affect basic functions such as breathing and can induce heart attack and other issues.
After being bitten, you can tell if you got venom by squeezing around the punchture, it's large enough that pressure will force some venom out, if you can, you can scrape it off the wound in a water bottle cap. The hospital can look at it in a scope and tell.
The next thing, i have a bottle of liquid benedryl in the truck, take a swig of that, if you have a dog and it gets bit, give it some of that too.
Typically, unless there are other issues health wise it's very rare for a rattle snake to kill a person. If you are bit go to the clinic or hospital, try and take the bottle cap, or pic of the snake. They don't have lots of anti venom, and don't want to use it unless it's for sure. They always seem to doubt you. (like you don't know what a rattlesnake looks like)
You can get the boots since most people (aside from the hand) are bitten on the toes, ankle, or low shin) Most people are amazingly bit on the hand, Dummies.
Snake proof boots are expensive, but if you are out there, and you know there are snakes out there. If you have been to urgent care, its $100 to walk in the door. Might as well get boots. There are gaiters out there, but that isn't going to help your toes.
I have been bit a couple of times. Not good, but you will live. Stay calm, sqeeze out the venom right after shooting it. Then wrap something around the leg just above the wound and tie it tight, then put something on the wound. Go to hospital.
It's also the reason that i don't hunt until it's cooler out. It's just not worth it. I do walk along with my shotgun barrel out infront of me down low to the ground. Snakes will strike at the closest thing to them. I have over the past few years had a snake strike at the barrel. Ironically they are right infront of the barel as soon as that fails, easy to shoot then. I just tuck the stock under my arm pit and let the barrel hang down. (if you do hear a buzz, you will know that sound, don't move, look for the white and black zebra tail)
I always carry some bird shot shells in the gun, Shell #4 in the gun. I cycle the gun a couple of times until the bird shot is in and fire. You would be surprised at how fast you can work a pump shotgun when a rattlesnake is infront of you. I also back away from them in the spring, since that is the time they are clustered up. If you want more action then your underwear can handle, try shooting a rattle snake as its sunning it's self after hybernation. I did that and as the shot when off, that one turned into 4.. They huddle up to stay warm, and that first shot sent them in all directions. I was feeding the spare snake sheels (also known as #8 bird shot) in as fast as i could.
If you really don't want to mess with snakes, stay away from north west of Wikenburg, out by Alamo lake. I have never seem so many snakes as out there.
