Yes, when they are new, I try to wear them out scouting for a while prior to season and break them in walking through water and mud. If I see deer poo I step in it, not over it.
For storage they usually reside in the back floorboard of my truck. I wipe mud, etc off them and they get a boot conditioner applied in the summer months. If I get water in them, I put them on the boot dryer with the insoles out so they will dry. I put them on when I leave the truck ad take them off before returning to "civilization".
Where I hunt rubber boots are pretty much a necessity and they barely cut it about half the time. I usually have water to cross several times in order to get to my hunting areas. Some of the areas are hip boot access only if we get a good bit of rain, and I have a few locations where it is chest wader access only. That leaves most folks behind, and the deer know it too.
For hill country, I don't like rubber boots. They are tough on my feet, and I prefer hikers. I have to be cognizant of where I walk near my stand sites wearing hikers since they do leave ground scent.