I have the privilege of getting to go on a feral hog/elk hunt March 13-17 in southern Oklahoma. After looking at last years highs during the same week, temps reached in the upper 80's. I have heard that there is a distinct possibility that the snakes will be exiting their dens and becoming active and I've also heard that they don't usually exit their dens until late March/early April. Just curious if we have any hunters that could give me the yea or nea about purchasing some snake boots. I live in NW Mo and wouldn't use them any other time except when we travel down for these hunts. If it isn't necessary then I'll pass but I'm also not oblivious to the fact that it's a small price to pay to avoid a snake bite. If you think it's a pretty good chance of snakes to be active; what snake boots would you recommend? Thanks guys for any/all advice.
I will say that walking in the snake boots will be more difficult. Well at least any of the ones ive ever worn.
I am not familiar with the snake activity in that part of the country but living here in the south, we are subject to encounter snakes anytime of the year considering our mild winters. I personally have a pair of 17" Rocky snake boots that I wear during my pre season scouting as well as during bow season. I use to catch some flack for wearing them until one of them was struck by a cottonmouth crossing a creek. He was lucky in the fact that he put on some chaps before setting out for his walk. You may want to consider some chaps as opposed to the boots as they are usually less expensive but are noisy when walking. I agree with MB in that they are stiffer until they are broke in but IMO, it is worth the money as you can wear these boots during warmer weather and they are waterproof as well.
rednas5, I live in Texas and hunt Oklahoma all the time. I have snake boots that I've worn quail hunting in the past and they are pretty comfortable. However I wouldn't buy snake boots for one trip. I deer hunt in my Danners and don't think twice about it. I also hunt turkey in the spring and scout a fair bit in the summer and fall prior to season. While there are snakes, I can tell you it is pretty uncommon that you'll have an encounter that is serious. Of course now that I've said that, you're probably jinxed Sounds like a fun hunt. Have a great time.
New boots are likely not going to be very comfortable, espeicially at first and the need for them is probably grossly overstated. I am in the woods and swamps a lot and almost never encounter a snake that can't be avoided with just a little common sense. I have had maybe 3 close calls in 35 years of hunting. Once I stepped on a rattlesnake that just kept laying there afterward... didn't even phaze him. Another; I was on my hands and knees following a blood trail through a pine thicket and came nose to nose with a moccasin. I just backed off a bit and shooed it away with my bow. I used to shoot the pit vipers but now I just leave them alone and they leave me alone.
I live in southeastern OK. Like others have said. I wouldn't buy a pair for one trip. There's no way you will have time to break them in. Even with this winter we've had I haven't seen snakes out this early ever. It's usually April before they wake up.
Thanks guys, i'll probably just pass then. Hopefully, its a pretty successful hunt. I'll be sure to post some pics. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
You can get snake chaps pretty cheap, I'd probably prefer it to possibly being bitten. Hope for the best, expect (and prepare) for the worst.
