Hey everyone,
New member here..well I have been on here just in the background reading all the posts and thought on becoming a member. Anyways, I am from Ohio and making a trip to one of my buddies woods in Alabama to try and drop me a nice Tom..with that being said, we don't have the wildlife that is down there up here AKA venomous snakes lol. So with that being said, how important is it to be getting myself some snake boots? Right now I use alpha burly rubber boots and didn't know if it is wise to buy me a pair of actual snake boots. Also if it's advised, what would you recommend? I don't want to be worrying about snakes and lose out on a turkey. Hope you guys and gals from Alabama or nearing states can help me out. Thanks in advance
Never worn them myself and have been turkey hunting here for 20+ years...That being said, I did step center mast on a 3' copperhead last spring slipping on a bird, luckily he didn't mind much and we went our separate ways. It did make me consider getting some but I still haven't. It is a threat in our woods but I just try and watch my step and surroundings.
I wear them, but went years and years without them. Never had one strike at me. In your position, I'd wear what I already owned. Welcome to OG
Depends where im hunting in alabama. If im in the swamp i will wear them. If i hunt high ground i wont and just wait my step
I wear them, but mainly as a precaution. Of course, you only have to be wearing them that one time for them to be worth it!
You could probably just buy some snake proof gaiters for cheaper and put them over your current boots.
Probably not a good idea but I usually wear crocs or tennis shoes.
Good insurance I guess. I live in SC and have hunted and hiked in all the terrains of SC and never wore a pair. Have almost bought them many times but never did. I did buy a pair this offseason that was clearanced out. I figure for the price it was worth a try. I like them pretty good.
It is important to remember they only cover 20% of your body and a big rattle snake can hit over the knee. While they provide protection it does not mean you do not need to pay attention to where you are walking and when you are sitting they do not do much for you.
Snakes do not strike to just strike, they do it for two reasons, to eat and to protect themselves. Be smart and know what a snake is likely to be in and you will be good to go. Good luck on your hunt!
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Quote from: guesswho on March 07, 2018, 03:03:08 PM
Probably not a good idea but I usually wear crocs or tennis shoes.
I've done the crocs on accident before. My feet end up wet and itchy.
snake boots or chaps are a good idea. Don't forget a Therma Cell.
I dont leave home with out them on, i wear lacrosse and have for 20 years.Invest in a good pair of snake boots, plenty of well made boots out there. As far as them alpha burly rubber boots..leave them at home as this is the south and your feet are gonna be hot as hell walking in them. Note most alpha burly boots I have wore are also bulky and heavy. Good Luck
Turtle skin makes chaps and leggings I have a pair of the knee high leggings they are light weight and not hot like snake boots. I like them beacuse they don't add weight and I can use them over or under my hunting pants and with any boots rubber , leather etc. Like mentioned nothing would be 100% protection unless you had a whole suit but most bites are below the knee on the foot area or hands so the leggings work pretty well.
Quote from: Muzzy61 on March 07, 2018, 03:39:54 PM
snake boots or chaps are a good idea. Don't forget a Therma Cell.
This. You can make it without snake boots if you want to. You can NOT make it without a thermacell!
In general, snake boots are a good idea but you are most vulnerable when setting up on a bird. Snake boots offer no protection for your backside. I can't stress this enough to thoroughly inspect your surroundings prior to sitting down. We all get excited when the bird is hammering away and we sneak in close and post up on a big oak tree. Situational awareness goes a long way! Watch your step and be mindful of your set up and you'll be fine. Good luck!
I'm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Wore them up until 10 years ago or so. Got sick and tired of them. They are hot and leak like a torpedoed tanker. Wear either rubber boots, if need be, but prefer my Meindls. Snakes and I have a truce: I don't kill them; they don't bite me.
South MIssissippi member here and I've never worn snake boots. Watch where you step and where you sit, you'll be fine. Oh that fella who said something about the Thermacell, listen to him. Most snakes down here don't survive the skeeter bites.
Ohh believe me on the thermacell is a God send..I've been hunting birds up here for a few years..never leave home without it. Also like spraying clothes down with Sawyer's repellent as well..covering every aspect. Thanks for some of the responses. Also thought about the whole thing of wearing my hiking shoes and then getting chaps as well. Looking to eventually get my grand slam so I will be going to other places that have snakes as well so also looking at just investing in a pair of Irish setter snake boots too..so many options.
Unless you guys have some other options on if I do get snake boots, what is good choice that is comfortable and not super expensive? Looking so far at either Irish setter vaprtek or what is your thought on the Rocky prolight? Other opinions are welcome. Or is gaiters the way to go?
Quote from: Ramslam44 on March 07, 2018, 08:30:44 PM
Unless you guys have some other options on if I do get snake boots, what is good choice that is comfortable and not super expensive? Looking so far at either Irish setter vaprtek or what is your thought on the Rocky prolight? Other opinions are welcome. Or is gaiters the way to go?
Would strongly discourage the Rocky boots. It has been my experience that instead of repelling water they are more like a sponge.
Quote from: Happy on March 07, 2018, 08:40:41 PM
Quote from: Ramslam44 on March 07, 2018, 08:30:44 PM
Unless you guys have some other options on if I do get snake boots, what is good choice that is comfortable and not super expensive? Looking so far at either Irish setter vaprtek or what is your thought on the Rocky prolight? Other opinions are welcome. Or is gaiters the way to go?
Would strongly discourage the Rocky boots. It has been my experience that instead of repelling water they are more like a sponge.
Thanks for the heads up
Every Rocky boot I've ever owned wore out at least twice as fast as ANY other boot I've ever owned. Trash, IMO. I know some people love them, but I will never own another pair.
Do not buy Rocky snake boots, as stated above they are more of a sponge than boot. I have had good luck with Lacrosse, but I know Irish Setter are the Cadillac of snake boots.
I live in snake country too and dont own a pair. I have thought about getting some but they are so expensive,heavy, and generally uncomfortable. Just watch where ya step.
I would buy leggings instead of snake boots. I am a forester and have owned many pairs of snake boots.
Leggings do fine .
I'm an Alabama hunter. Born here and have hunted here my whole life. That being said I do wear them. In my opinion I would rather be safe than sorry. In rural Alabama there aren't many hospitals so depending on where you're hunting you may be a little ways from a medical facility.
Will be near Anniston is where I will be hunting at..15min south and 15min east of there
I've hunted central MS for 35 yrs and never owned a pair of snake boots. You might want some leggings, but as long as you watch your step, you'll be ok. One of my friends from Iowa came down to visit back in the summer and he thought there were snakes under every bush. It's not that bad down here. Enjoy your hunt.
I am in the hills of Mississippi and wear snake boots as soon as it is warm in the mornings. I have never been struck at during turkey season, but did get bit at last September dove hunting while wearing some leather Georgia brand boots by a big cottonmouth while looking for a downed bird on a creekbank. Only thing that saved me was I stepped on him about 4-5 inches back from his head and he couldn't get enough leverage to penetrate the leather. He struck 2-3 times while I was standing on him before I realized what was happening. Then, less than a month later my son shot a deer during archery and I was helping him track it in a swampy area right after dark and he got bit by another cottonmouth but he was wearing the Lacrosse rubber snake boot and was fine. I have owned every brand except the high dollar versions over the last 30 years. The Rocky used to be good but not now. The Lacrosse rubber snake boot is waterproof. but they are WAY too dang HEAVY and BULKY if you are walking any distance at all. I don't know what I will get next as this season will do in my old Lacrosse I wear now. I like to wear snake boots so I never have to look down and can focus on busting a big old Tom!