Snake gards or snake boots.

I don't think the pants offer anything good boots don't have to offer since the pant protection only goes to your knees.

$80,000 in medical fees, pain, possible death, and loss or destruction of a limb - ouch.
 
I've never used either but want some good snake boots especially when I head out to get them. we don't have those big Texas sized ones here The biggest one I've killed was maybe 4 feet long.



This guy her almost got me. Never saw him till he buzzed and he was about a foot away the whole time

 
Last edited:

I notice the ad for Turtleskin SnakeArmor Pants says "resistant." Does that mean a snake "could" possibly bite through them?

As well, the boots a guy wears would have to be considered too. It wouldn't do any good to have those pants, and have the snake penetrate a boot.

Those pants are definitely expensive, but I like them more than the chaps.

I have considered purchasing something snake proof after about getting a attacked by a copperhead last summer.
 
"I have considered purchasing something snake proof after about getting a attacked by a copperhead last summer."

No disrespect intended. But, that is funny! (Said in a friendly tone) What the heck are you waiting for????

... I'd own an entire wardrobe of snake boots and Turtleskin pants if I were the one attacked. I would even have a Turtleskin beanie, scarf, and underware.
 
Last edited:

What am I waiting for? Well, money comes to mind. Then there's the idea of how well something works vs cost vs real need. "Considered" means, well, considered. Then, there's discussion that leads to a better understanding of what a guy needs vs what he might think looks cool. Those pants sure look cool, and they have a very cool price too. Getting bit would not be fun for sure. On the other hand, I would look funny decked out in needless apparel.

Don't forget the socks! Can't go out and about in snake country without snake-proof socks, and a venom-proof handkerchief. Might need to wipe the venom off my leg, and maybe some other fluids as well. LOL.

No disrespect taken Bullsprings. I personally don't see anything funny about what I asked, but I'm probably thinking in one mind-set and you in another. I hope it gave you a belly-whopper of a smile.

While the copperhead's venom isn't as potent as a rattlesnake, it's still a venomous snake, capable of quite a bit of damage, not to mention doctor bills. I personally know of one old lady here many years ago that was crippled due to a copperhead bite. I have come across several of those darn things within the last two summers. I'm down on our farm in the summer, in the thick stuff pretty often, as well as in our barn where we have found copperheads lying within inches of our boots (at night time). I don't relish getting bit by one. I have looked seriously at snake boots and would like to get something, and it's always good to discuss and get ideas from others before laying out a lot of money, only to learn later that maybe you spent more than necessary, OR didn't get enough. I don't have a money tree growing out back, so it's wise to talk about with others first. I did have a pair of some old chaps one time that I rarely used. They were difficult to get on and off, and were hot as heck. Of course, better to be hot than bit.

As for the pants, they are expensive for sure, maybe even fashionable, but I like the idea of them - easy on, easy off. But, EXPENSIVE.

But, my discussion relating to the pants involves a discussion of boots, or that's what I was hoping to hear from someone. Do you have information about regular boots being snake proof? Do you have information to share about "resistant?"

I have heard that snakes can sometimes bite through regular boots, so my thoughts were / are if a guy wears the pants and doesn't have decent boots, seems to me like he might still be in jeopardy. Maybe I'm wrong. I know a cactus needle went through the side of a good pair of Cabela's leather boots in Wyoming one October. Maybe a snake could bite through a boot too. What say ye?

You probably come up against more dangerous snakes out your way in CalifornIA than I do here. What kind of protection do you wear, if anything at all?


 
Originally Posted By: woodguru We got 8 the first year here and 7 last year, we catch them if I can and relocate them to an area where they can't hurt anything.

I try to relocate every rattler I see, as well, Woody. In fact here's a couple more that I have "relocated".




And here's a snake track that I followed to a big brush pile where I lost interest in any further attempt at "relocating". I wear a EEE boot and the track was wider than my boot.



Originally Posted By: 6mm06I have considered purchasing something snake proof after about getting a attacked by a copperhead last summer.


I've been around quite a number of rattlers over the years and have only had two that were aggressive. One I had already shot but not killed and another that I was running to head off before he got under a camp trailer. Guess he realized I was a threat and he turned away from trailer and headed toward me. Fortunately he was no match for the .357 Blackhawk.

Heading back to the ranch tomorrow for a few days of coyote hunting. Darn, with all this snake talk, I may just dig those chaps out of the jeep bag even if they are a bit noisy. Lessee now, Boots & chaps; is that the same as wearing a belt and suspenders?
lol.gif


Regards,
hm
 

HM, that's just plum scary looking - that big rattler you're holding. I guess suspenders and a belt might work - if the snake is one of those "high strikers."

I'm glad copperheads are all I have to contend with here. They are bad enough. We do have rattlers around the county, but seems it's rare to find one in my area, which suits me just fine. There's a lot of rattlers around 10 miles or less from the area where I live, but here it's very unusual to see one.

Last year I was out on a clear cut hillside on the farm, just behind the barn a few yards, after dark, thrashing about while trying to locate a raccoon. Suddenly I saw movement directly in front of me. A rather large copperhead went straight across in front of me just a few feet from me, then turned and came straight at me. I'm glad no one was near to hear me holler. LOL. A few days later, my son came within a foot or two of stepping on a copperhead in the barn (in the dark) while he was checking his tractor by flashlight. Two summers ago I "relocated" maybe 7 or 8 copperheads. The neighbor who lives bordering our farm "relocated" about that many in his yard last year, and my son stepped on one during the night at the farm gate about three years ago. I keep thinking sooner or later I'll get on one and wish I hadn't.

A lot of people think copperheads aren't much of a threat, and I suppose they aren't when compared to rattlers. But, a copperhead can inflict a very serious bite.

I have known three people personally that have been bitten by copperheads here, all women, and have heard of others. The old lady I mentioned earlier was bit when she was younger, and it crippled her to the point of her limping the rest of her life. Then, a woman teacher who taught at the school where I worked, was bitten on the arm a few years back during summer break. She told me her arm turned black, swelled up something awful and was the most painful wound she had ever had. Then, about 5 or 6 years ago, an elderly lady that is a good friend of my family, was bit on her hand. She spent three days in the hospital with a lot of suffering and with an untold cost. That's why I am beginning to think maybe I need some sort of protection when down on the farm. Seems the copperheads are more plentiful recently than in previous years.


 
6mm, my comments mostly prove that I am a bigger chicken than you. I did not know Copperheads were less lethal than rattlers. Where I hunt, we have diamondbacks and Mojave Greens. The Greens have hemotoxin and neurotoxin. I bite to me would mean certain death in the remote locations I hunt.

The smartest thing I ever did was buy some Danner Pronghorn knee level snake boots. I pretty much wear them year round when I hunt.

I am pretty careful by nature. I don't mind dying. We all will someday. I just hope that when I kick the bucket it wasn't because I was careless and didn't take reasonable precautions.

I wear the boots, check the ground real before I sit down to call. That should be good enough.
 
Last edited:

Yea, I imagine the Mojaves are bad dudes for sure. I'm glad we don't have them here, and hope you don't ever have to be at the wrong end of one.

I have lived and hunted these mountains here most of my life. I have never seen a rattlesnake while out hunting, but have come across several copperheads. I got those old chaps many years ago and wore them a few times but finally discarded them. They were just too much trouble to put on, and hot. After the last two summers with these darn copperheads, I have been thinking about getting some protection that would work well for me, and maybe more comfortable.

One other story just came to mind (seems there are so many here). My good friend's Mom was down on the creek getting creek rocks a few years ago (to put in her flower bed). As she was walking along the creek bank, she felt something tugging on her leg. Her first thought was a briar had caught in her pant leg, but no, it was a copperhead that had struck her and couldn't get loose. Luckily the fangs only caught the pants. She is a rather comical lady with a good sense of humor, but I imagine she didn't see any fun in it at the time. I only wish I could have been there with a video camera rolling. That would have been a good one to have.

Bullsprings, here's the Danner Pronghorn boot I just now found on the net, a good-looking one. Is this like the one you use? The only issue I would have with it is all that lacing. If I were to be out for extended periods of time, I wouldn't mind it. But the way I go to the farm for a short while, then back home, then back to the farm etc. would make the lace-up a bit troublesome.




 
6mm, I never saw a snake for years. Then, I almost walked on 4 in one three month period. That is the Danner boot I use. Much more comfortable and less of a hassle than the Turtleskin gaitors. Most importantly, I know my foot is protected.

I usually wear jogging shoes for the 3 hour drive to my hunting spot. Then, I put the the boots on when I get to my destination.

The laces go on fast. It takes 30 seconds per boot max. I tried slip on snake boots and they were too loose. I like the laces feature.

I would still put them on if it took 5 minutes per boot. If I have motivational problems, I mentally flash back to the Google "rattlesnake bite" image gallery.
 
Last edited:
6mm in Louisiana we have 7 different species of venomous snakes so we learn to be very careful when outdoors. I personally have another brand of lace up snake boots and don't even think twice about lacing them up. I'm with you venom is venom and have no desire to be bit. Snakes will bite through regular leather boots so they are not satisfactory. A lot of guys in our area use knee length snake proof rubber boots as water is a constant. They are easy to get on and off and if wet ground or sloppy farm work is something you are involved with you might give that some consideration.
We have 3 species of rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth and coral snake, snake lovers rejoice.
 
Chupa - That is good advice. My father always said to "never put your feet or hands where your eyes have not been first". The boots are for the fact that I am a fallible human being and human beings make mistakes. I consider it cheap insurance.

Regarding the "in their yard" comment. But, it is not true. The bible says in Genesis:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Men are not second class visitors in the wild. It is our dominion, not the animals. It sounds like a small thing. But, it is really a big thing.




 
Last edited:
Chupa - I think we all benefit and learn a lot when you write about poisonous snakes. I will admit that I know less than 1% of what you know in this area. Like you said, that is probably a part of my fear/respect for rattlesnakes. Until I fix that, I will wear my snake boots the minute I start my hunt.

I also tend to be a slow learner. I tend to really suck at things when I first start. On the other hand, I am tenacious. I stick with things until I finally get pretty good at them.

The above personality characteristic is great for coyote hunting. Not so good for poisonous snake handling. The learning curve is pretty unforgiving.
 
Last edited:

Those darn snakes give me the willies. I've tromped and hunted these copperhead-infested mountains all my life and never really wore protective gear, except for those hot chaps for a very short time. But lately I've been having second thoughts after all my copperhead encounters within the last two years, and after hearing first-hand experiences of some bite victims.

Like you Chupa, I've always looked the area over good, been careful where I stepped, taking care when stepping across logs, where I sit down etc. I have never really had a problem. But, I'm about to rethink it all, that it might be wise to get something comfortable and something that works. If for no other reason, it would give me some peace of mind.
 
My brother was a snake guy when I was a kid. He and his buddies would drive the paved roads at night looking for rattlers that would come to warm themselves up. They would catch the snakes by hand and put them in a pillowcase. He would keep them in a glass aquarium in the shed.

I'll never forget the first time I saw him drop a mouse in the cage. Pretty freaking awesome.

My brother had bad risk management characteristics that destroyed his life later on. But, that is a different story.

I am more cautious. I like to steal second base while simultaneously keeping my foot on first.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top