• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Snake Season

CarolinaDog

CarolinaDog

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
455
Location
SC
Just wanted to remind everyone, at least in the south, its snake season!! I was walking down one my roads today and came less than inches from being bitten by a copperhead. Im still not sure how my feet got out of the way of his strike. I truly believe a 6th sense kicked in and had my feet moving before I even looked down. I saw the snakes body come taunt with my boot print directly underneath as my feet ran out from under me. Luckily he didn't strike a second time and I got a few feet between us. Definitely the closest I've knowingly been to a poisonous snake. Just keep your eyes open, I should have been being more careful. Unfortunately I didn't have my phone to take a pic. I believe getting snake bit would have really messed up my weekend turkey plans.
 
Coworkers's dog was bit by a copperhead Monday morning near Charlotte, NC.
 
Bwhana said:
Coworkers's dog was bit by a copperhead Monday morning near Charlotte, NC.
Click to expand...


Wow I hope the dog survived. My dogs getting bit is my biggest fear. Luckily mine were not with this time. Im certain one of them would have been bitten
 
Not to dismiss the dog angle, but what kind of boots you southern guys feel will reduce risk of snakebite? I hunt public in IN and OH with names like "copperhead hollow" so feel free to help a guy out.
 
Unfortunately I was only wearing leather boots and jeans. Im pretty sure the bite is going straight through the boots. I have 2 pairs of snake boots. Mucks, which I like and are comfy, but started to fall apart after a season. Could probably fix them. I have a cheaper pair of lacrosse snake boots that are ok but are hot and not nearly as comfy and I won't buy again. A friend of mine loves his Chippewa snake boots he's had for years.
 
I have a pair of muck snake boots. They are hot but I think it's worth the trade off. The areas I hunt are so thick with low vegetation I'd never see a snake until it was hanging off my boot.
 
Freepistol said:
Has it ever happened?
Click to expand...

Fortunately not yet, but I got as close as Carolinadog did. Checking my snare line last week, hunting partner says don't move. Water moccasin was laying about 2 feet from my foot, head peeking out from beneath some grass. I just stood still and it slithered off into the creek.
 
Chistavocat said:
I’m with you. I will take snow and negative temps for a few months over having to worry about camouflaged poisonous ankle bitters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
They're really not that bad. North American snake bites are crazy survivable, even without treatment. And most snakes would really rather not bite. Even the "bad boy" water moccassin would rather stay still and let you pass on by.

I gave up wearing boots because they're uncomfortable and expensive. Plain old uninsulated Mucks for me, or crocs.
 
I do not wear snake boots, just wear whatever I want and watch where I step. I don't use flashlights to walk in or out and that is my biggest risk time. No bites in over 45 years, not worrying about it too much.
 
I bought turtleskin snake gaiters before turkey season and have been wearing them over my rubber boots and hiking boots. Not perfect as the foot is exposed, but I’m willing to live with that risk.

I worry more about sitting on one as I setup on a bird in the dark.
 
thwack16 said:
worry more about sitting on one as I setup on a bird in the dark
Click to expand...
that's my worry too! but I just use muck boots because it seems to allows be wet and swampy where I hunt. but dang these boots are heavy! sometimes I wear old Irish setter ankle high boots hiking type they are light and have a good sole, but they are not waterproof.
 
Nutterbuster said:
They're really not that bad. North American snake bites are crazy survivable, even without treatment. And most snakes would really rather not bite. Even the "bad boy" water moccassin would rather stay still and let you pass on by.

I gave up wearing boots because they're uncomfortable and expensive. Plain old uninsulated Mucks for me, or crocs.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah.... Snakes are no match for a croc.. what was I thinking??

Joking aside. Yeah snake boots are not the most comfortable but after yesterday they will be on full time. And they got to be way more comfortable than a snakebite. The snake was so camo'd out it could have easily been overlooked. And small. After you walk a few miles its hard watch your feet on every step. Especially when your hot and tired and getting close to the truck. Ill do better from now on but they are the colors they are for a reason. And this one had no qualms about striking
 
Murdered this little guy cutting grass today. Tried to run him over with the mower, but ultimately had to bludgeon him with the water meter wrench.

4f6f6b7caacd5b683e1f4580a98cc86d.jpg


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
I hunt in the mountains of North GA and scout year round most weekends. I am always solo and often a couple of miles from the truck. I know the odds are low as far as getting bit, but I look at my boots like insurance. Probably won’t need it but will be glad to have it if I do. I stepped within a foot of both of the Timber Rattlers pictured. It typically takes a lot to get them to strike, but step on one in the thick stuff and all bets are off. As far as boots go I have a pair of Irish Setter Vaprtek snake boots. They are very light, super comfortable right out of the box, and waterproof. I have almost 300 miles on them and they are holding up great.
BC89D0B8-1EF6-47B2-A1E5-11E93A36F790.jpeg9EF62595-D07A-4054-BF4D-3124F8D575F7.jpeg0F911ED9-C331-45B3-B5DB-7E27F45EA973.jpeg
 
My wife and I were in Kentucky this weekend looking at a couple of houses. We did quite a bit of acreage walking through woods and grasses and such. It's so a different story having to pay attention for something like a venomous snake with every step, compared to just trouncing through the woods like I do here in Michigan! LOL!
If we end up down there, I'm definitely going to get a pair of snake boots... At least until I get to understanding the land and it's Critters!

Didn't see any snakes, but the ticks... Holy crap the ticks!:fearscream:
 
Chistavocat said:
I’m with you. I will take snow and negative temps for a few months over having to worry about camouflaged poisonous ankle bitters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Man do I love my lousy NH deer hunting More and more every time I read these stories of serpent attacks or the Minnesota stories about wolves circling before you even finish field dressing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top