Go fang proof with snake proof boots
By ROBERT SLOAN, The Enterprise
08/24/2006
A good pair of snake proof boots is the best insurance you can have against getting hit by a venomous snake like a rattler or a moccasin. A good back up is a well-aimed shotgun. A good pair of snake proof boots is the best insurance you can have against getting hit by a venomous snake like a rattler or a moccasin. A good back up is a well-aimed shotgun. Poisonous snakes are a fact of life in Texas.
The chances of having a close encounter with something like a water moccasin or diamond back rattler are never better than what you'll find during dove, teal and the first month of the regular duck and goose seasons. And when it comes to South Texas quail hunts, rattlers are just about an everyday occurrence.
The best venomous snake prevention is a well-aimed shotgun and a pair of snake boots. At least with that combination, you can let your guard down and relax. All venomous snakes are not created equal. Some are nastier than others. The coral snake, one of the most venomous in Texas, is so rare it's not even considered a factor on most hunts. Plus, it's colorful and almost a pleasure to observe. Conversely, there is the moccasin - charcoal black, nasty, smelly and ill tempered. At least a diamond back rattler has a unique skin. Plus, they typically give you a bit of a warning before the strike.
Rattle snakes are a part of Texas' culture. Their skins are in demand. Rarely is a rattler hide or rattler left for the varmints. You'll see treated rattler skins on walls, hats, belts and even on key chains. There are full body mounts of rattlers prudently displayed with shoulder mounts of trophy bucks. My favorite is the coffee table mount of a coiled rattler and a covey of quail mounted in a scene from South Texas.
I can't remember seeing a mount of a moccasin. That's because they are despised by one and all. The last thing a moccasin sees from a hunter is a fiery blast at point-blank range from a shotgun barrel. The bad news is that there is no shortage of moccasins in Southeast Texas. The good news is that we have very few rattlers. Running across a moccasin is not that unusual for dove hunters setting up in rice fields. Where you have rice and standing water, you're going to have moccasins.
I did a story a few years back on a duck hunter that got hit in the face by a moccasin. Talk about a rude awakening. That's about as bad as it gets. The bad thing about dove hunting in and around rice fields is that you'll usually be walking in and out of water. That's a situation where waterproof knee high snake boots are a must. The higher the better. What I really don't like doing is walking over rice levees. That's a place where a moccasin has the opportunity to hit you above the boots.
Needless to say it's always a good idea to keep a sharp eye out for snakes, even if you do have snake proof gear on. That's especially true when you don hip or chest waders. A moccasin can easily punch its needle sharp fangs though most waders.
Many snake bites occur when a hunter makes a beeline for a downed bird. If you don't have a retriever, the best way to make a quick pick up is to never take your eyes off the spot where the bird went down. To do that, the hunter throws all caution to the wind and goes straight to the kill. That's when more than one of us has stepped right over snakes. And when it happens, you usually know. It's one of those hair raising, high-stepping scenes that'll just about blow a good heart.
Another snake vs. hunter situation comes when you reach down to pick up a bird. It's generally best to poke around with the tip of a snake boot or the barrel of your gun prior to plucking a bird from brush, or one that's mired in boggy rice stubble. If you do take a hit, kill the snake, bag it for positive identification and get to an emergency room ASAP.
If your retriever starts acting funny - maybe foaming at the mouth or slowing down a good bit - two things could be going on. One is that it's dehydrated. The other is that it's been hit by a poisonous snake. Both situations are life threatening. Get to a vet ASAP.
How to pick a pair of good boots
# Make sure they are waterproof. That doesn't mean they have to be rubber. For example, Redhead makes a pair of snake proof boots with 1,000 denier Cordura. The rubber boots will be much hotter than Cordura material.
# The lace up, or lace lock boots will give you more ankle support, and won't slip off your foot if you step in a bog.
# Go lightweight. You might be surprised at how heavy some snake proof boots are when compared to other brands.
# Get the tallest boots you can find. They will vary from 12 to 16 inches.
# Cost can vary. You can get a good pair of lightweight, waterproof boots for under $100.
# Don't forget the socks. Wear a quality, thick pair of socks when you try on the boots. You want a snug fit to prevent blisters.
Go Fang-proof With Snake-proof Boots
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