snake boots

[wgr]

will western (cow boy) boots stop a snake bite?

[smithnframe]

Doubt it!

[762 shooter]

Most pants, if not tight against the skin, will cause the venom to be released between the material and the skin.

Any type of tall boot should work.

Be very afraid. I think 4 people died from snake bites last year in the U.S. All had alcohol involved.

But the bite will cause pain and a bad boo boo.

762

[richhodg66]

There's no snake in North America that can bite through leather. And 762 shooter is right, you might as well just stay in the house 24/7 if you're that timid, you might get struck by lightning or something. Can't be too careful, after all.

[farmerjim]

There's no snake in North America that can bite through leather. And 762 shooter is right, you might as well just stay in the house 24/7 if you're that timid, you might get struck by lightning or something. Can't be too careful, after all.

I have only been hit by lightning twice, but never snake bit.

[richhodg66]

I have only been hit by lightning twice, but never snake bit.

You're a lot more likely to get laid low by a tick bite than a snake bite.

Not sure about Indiana, but if Kansas is an indicator of the midwest, snakes really aren't a problem. Where I grew up in the S.C. low country, or west Texas where I spent quite a bit of time in the field, venemous snakes are something one should be aware of, but in 26 years of living here and spending an awful lot of time in the woods, I've encountered exactly one venemous snake. They just aren't a problem, watch where you put your hands and feet, where shoes and long pants and you're fine. Most of the people you hear about who got bitten were doing something dumb.

[country gent]

Back In the day my grandfather was bit by a snake after 3 days of intense pain and agony, The snake died.

Heavy boots or even the heavy brown duck work pants should do.

As an aside the old sand rails built from volkswagons in snake country required front fenders to keep the front tires from throwing them into the passenger compartment

[contender1]

In general,, yes,, the leather of cowboy boots can stop a snake bit. However,, there are a few other things to consider.
The size of the snake, and in general, they strike upwards, and could go over a boot into the leg or pants. As noted above,, if jeans are worn, (which is normal with boots,) the strike often fails to hit skin.
But the largest sub-species of the rattlesnakes, The Eastern Diamondback, can get quite large, (6 ft) and can have fangs over 1-1/2" long. It is possible that some of the boots out there,, with thinner leather etc could be penetrated by such a snake. Of course,,, a snake that size is usually gonna hit you above the boots anyway.

Copperheads are a smaller & less lethal snake, and I'd say almost impossible for one of them to penetrate a boot. Cottonmouth snakes can get big in girth, but seldom over 4 to 4-1/2 ft in length. And they too will have a hard time penetrating boots. Coral snakes,, no fangs,, so no.


It's funny this subject came up. I deal with wildlife daily, and just yesterday had an issue with a copperhead bite. See my other thread.

[farmerjim]

richhodg66 "You're a lot more likely to get laid low by a tick bite than a snake bite.'

Two years ago I was on 4 days of IV steroids and 6 weeks of IV antibiotics for 2 tick bites.

I have and see many poisonous snakes on my 30 acres. I try not to walk in tall grass when I can. I have only stepped on one snake and it was a speckled King Snake. I did jump till I saw what it was.

[Gator 45/70]

I wear Lacrosse snek boots, I also spray these down with bug repellant to keep the ticks off.

[starnbar]

You're a lot more likely to get laid low by a tick bite than a snake bite.

Not sure about Indiana, but if Kansas is an indicator of the midwest, snakes really aren't a problem. Where I grew up in the S.C. low country, or west Texas where I spent quite a bit of time in the field, venemous snakes are something one should be aware of, but in 26 years of living here and spending an awful lot of time in the woods, I've encountered exactly one venemous snake. They just aren't a problem, watch where you put your hands and feet, where shoes and long pants and you're fine. Most of the people you hear about who got bitten were doing something dumb.

You are right about the tick deal I got sick as a dog after pulling a couple off me up in the panhandle my Dr. knows I hunt and first thing sent off my blood work yeah tick fever for sure 3 weeks of antibiotics and I still felt bad for another couple months ticks are not anything to play with.

[Scrounge]

will western (cow boy) boots stop a snake bite?

Nope. Leather doesn't stop a snake bite when it's still on the cow, either. Double-thickness, maybe, though I wouldn't care to bet on it. The idea is to avoid the snake, and make it avoid you. Walk heavy, and don't stick your face or other body parts in bushes, or holes in the ground without poking a stick in there first. And pay attention to your surroundings. I've seen a pair of western boots with diamondback rattler fangs stuck through the leather.

Bill

[Char-Gar]

Some years back, I was at the big rattlesnake round up in Sweetwater Texas. Snake hunters from all over came, hunted snakes and dumped them in a big enclosure. There were all kinds of prizes awarded to the snake hunters. There were many hundreds of mad pissed off snakes in the enclosure. There was a professional snake handler guy in the pit walking around picking them up and giving demonstrations. Snakes were striking him every few seconds around the feet and legs. He was wearing what appeared to be ordinary cowboy boots and jeans. I asked him how high those boots were and he pulled up the leg of his jeans to show me. They were regular over the counter Tony Lama boots with 12" tops. He told me the snake would strike the jeans and not his legs. They could not get through the leather boot either.

So, the answer to the question is yes, snakes can't get through a regular cowboy boot and loose fitting jeans. The above is a true and accurate story.

[poppy42]

I was bit by a pygmy rattler when I lived in Florida. Well I shouldn’t say I was bit a snake, the snake bit my boots! There was no problem penetrating the boots, but his fangs weren’t long enough to reach my skin. I was very lucky. So in answer to your question, no regular leather cowboy boots will not stop a snake! However they do make snake boots if you really feel you need to have protection from a snake bite. In the 20+ years I lived in Florida I’ve only seen three poisonous snakes. Once during severe storms and flooding I had a moccasin in the drainage ditch on the edge of my property, while fishing one time I saw a coral snake, and a pygmy rattler. Being bit was my own fault . I was stupid enough to think that because of its small size I could kick it out of the way! As I stated that led to the snake biting my boot! The snake might not of got a chance to actually bite me but it certainly caused me to have to change my draw’s. Leave them alone and I’ll leave you alone.

[OldBearHair]

Ok, now after all this snake and tick talk I feel obligated to mention Permethrin 36.8% purchased online reasonably. Use it mixed properly in a pump sprayer. During WW11 this was formulated for use on clothing before issuing to the troops. The clothing would repel ticks and chiggers, even after 5 to 6 washing cycles. Google this to get rest of the story. I use it for mosquitos, ticks, seed ticks, chiggers, ground dwelling hornets, fire ants and fleas. All of my hunting clothes get treated. It works.

[richhodg66]

Ok, now after all this snake and tick talk I feel obligated to mention Permethrin 36.8% purchased online reasonably. Use it mixed properly in a pump sprayer. During WW11 this was formulated for use on clothing before issuing to the troops. The clothing would repel ticks and chiggers, even after 5 to 6 washing cycles. Google this to get rest of the story. I use it for mosquitos, ticks, seed ticks, chiggers, ground dwelling hornets, fire ants and fleas. All of my hunting clothes get treated. It works.

It works darn well, and the Sawyer's brand from Walmart is pretty cheap and available.

We're having a pretty good year here, tick wise. A hard cold snap late in the Winter when it had been warm enough for them to start to move seems to have done it, but most years we have a lot. I treat an old set of fatigues with that stuff and wear them if doing anything off the mowed part of the property, keeps them off you like a champ. If you treat soft clothes they can't turn loose of fast like socks, it'll kill them.

[farmbif]

rattle snakes at least give warning before they strike so ive been told, copperheads don't give any warning....on the other side of the mountain from me is a baptist church where the preacher plays with poison snakes during the service, it don't matter boots or sneakers I stay clear of that place.

[richhodg66]

rattle snakes at least give warning before they strike so ive been told, copperheads don't give any warning....on the other side of the mountain from me is a baptist church where the preacher plays with poison snakes during the service, it don't matter boots or sneakers I stay clear of that place.

It goes back to what's been said several times, most who get bit were doing something dumb.

Far be it from me to rain on their parade and I respect their freedom to worship how they please, but I do remember that scripture tells us not to put God to the test somewhere, I just can't recall the chapter and verse.

[wv109323]

With the timber rattlers we have in WV, I would not want to test the theory that cowboy boots would stop a bite. Rattlers are not that hard to spot or hear unless you practically step on them. But the copperhead is tough to see on the forest floor.
I usually kill a rattler or copperhead once a year. I live on the edge of a wildlife area.

[Burnt Fingers]

rattle snakes at least give warning before they strike so ive been told, copperheads don't give any warning....on the other side of the mountain from me is a baptist church where the preacher plays with poison snakes during the service, it don't matter boots or sneakers I stay clear of that place.

Rattlesnakes don't always give warning.

[Gtrubicon]

About 10 years ago I killed a rattler that was 44” long, it had two very deformed buttons, it couldn’t make a noise.

[762 shooter]

I do wear snake boots during the summer. Just as a way to hold permethrin to keep chiggers off .
I hate a chigger.

762

[Cast10]

Ranch is in S. Central Tx. Loads of bell boys! I’ve been through several pairs of snake boots. Justin square toes are the most comfortable. Heavy brass zippers. Easy on/off and most comfortable from the first on.

Been hit 4 times last year. All were toe strikes. Nighttime hog hunting, spring turkey season, fall deer season. Seen rattlers through November! I open the gate off the road and slip them on! If nothing else, its a sense of safety. I still watch where I’m walking and not tempt fate!

Oh, and YES, rattlers down here don’t rattle like they used to! Old timers have told me they have evolved to not rattle so the hogs won’t eat them!

[lksmith]

will western (cow boy) boots stop a snake bite?

Rattlers, probably not.
Moccasins and copperheads, probably

[lksmith]

Oh, and YES, rattlers down here don’t rattle like they used to! Old timers have told me they have evolved to not rattle so the hogs won’t eat them!

Also to avoid getting killed by humans. Most people if warned will kill the snake whereas if not warned, might not see the snake and let it be.
All the rattlers I've seen have been pretty shy/docile. Copperheads usually as well, but being camo'd so well, likely to get bit by stepping on them. Moccasins, are a different story, most I have seen are more likely to fight/bite/intimidate vs. retreat.