woodsman2230 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hey everyone! I am going down to MS and TN in about 10 days and I was wondering what type of snake protection you would recommend for down there. I was wondering whether I should get snake chaps or gaitors, and also what brand would you recommend? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, woodsman2230 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) To be honest.... You'll be fine with rubber boots. Step over the fallen logs well and check the ground before you sit down. I'm as scared of snakes as anyone, but in my 10 years of hunting deer and turkeys I've seen all of two while I was hunting. Remembered seeing this thread a while back on the MS hunting forums. Might wanna check it out: http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=61259 Someone else might tell you differently, though. Edited March 9, 2009 by rhine16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsman2230 Posted March 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 That is a cool post. Thank you for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 This area is pretty loaded with water moccasins and copperheads. I saw two water moccasins on Saturday while I was out checking cams, with this warm up they are out. I use cabelas pinnacle snake boots here and have been very happy with them, would not get rocky boots, have had their snake boots and they leak and just do not last. Definitely be careful to watch where you are sitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) Someone else might tell you differently, though. That would be me! I saw my first snake of the year Saturday morning. It was a king snake though so it was a no brainer about him getting a pass. That tells me the ones I need to be concerned about are out now too though. Over many years of spring turkey hunting I've stepped on, over, and next to snakes that simply blended into ground, leaves, and low growth so well you couldn't hardly see them until they moved or someone following me saw it. I'll bet I've stepped next to a lot of snakes that I never knew were there. I've actually been struck on the boot twice by snakes in my life and once was during turkey season. It's something you never get used to. When hunting turkeys in snake country your focus is not on the ground...it's getting to and in position to work a bird. The only times I really focus my attention toward looking for snakes is when I'm moving uphill to get on a bird or I'm going to sit on a tree to start working a bird. A long time ago I read about a turkey hunter that was hit in the rear while sitting down on the ground. Obviously that left a lasting impression. As a general rule of thumb, I wear snake boots whenever the temperature is going to get above the low to mid 40's while I'm in the field. Below that temp snakes may be out but they sure are going to be slowed down a whole lot. If you're not going to wear snake boots in warmer weather periods, I'd opt for whatever provides protection to a point just below your knee. There's little to no chance you're going to be hit much above the lower part of your thigh unless you're going up a fairly steep incline or you sit on one. Both times I was struck was at the side of my boot and right at ankle height. Even by taking protective measures though, if you're struck you will dance in the air. BTW...snake boots or other snake protective wear will also serve to protect you from a turkey's spurs if you need to stand on one's head while he's flopping. One of my old turkey hunting friends was spurred doing that while wearing rubber boots. That bird's spur when right through his rubber boot like a hot knife through butter and it got him good too. Edited March 9, 2009 by Rhino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I just wear whatever hunting boot i think is right for the weather. Copperheads are by far the biggest offender in our state, and are subject to be out and about on warmer days. Most of the ones i see during turkey season are often pretty dormant as mornings are still chilly, but with weather like we had last weekend they'll be lively. You'd be most at risk setting up on the ground like Rhino said, and at that time, i dont care what kinda boots you got on, when you get struck in the butt, it dont matter anymore. Just be aware as you move around and go to set up. they're camoed up alright, but def not invisible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Ive hunted in MS for years it depends on where you go I would guess....Im pretty sure that you dont need chaps, or snake proof boots unless your in the swamps down south or in the delta....I was fairly close to where Rhine is and like him I may have seen 2 snakes total in almost 10 years of turkey hunting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 See, told you someone would say differently How about you tell us what part you're going to and we might can give you a snake outlook for the area.(plus we'll know if you will be coming close to any of us so we could meet up) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 See, told you someone would say differently You're wayyyy up north compared to me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsman2230 Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I am actually staying in Germantown, TN then making the trip down with a friend to his lease. From what I understand, is that the lease is only about 30 minutes from the border, so, I guess it would be the northwest part of the state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I am actually staying in Germantown, TN then making the trip down with a friend to his lease. From what I understand, is that the lease is only about 30 minutes from the border, so, I guess it would be the northwest part of the state. If you hunt any bottoms in this end of state you have the potential to run into water mocassins. Copperheads can be pretty bad in some areas too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I use cabelas pinnacle snake boots here and have been very happy with them, would not get rocky boots, have had their snake boots and they leak and just do not last. Same experience here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 would not get rocky boots, have had their snake boots and they leak and just do not last. I'll 2nd that!!! I've gone through 3 of them. Non lasted more than a couple of years. One lasted a few weeks before leaking. The others leaked from the start. For whatever reason, the stitched seams just didn't hold up well and neither did the soles. My turkey hunting snake boots are the LaCrosse slip on boots that zip up on the sides. The zipper just allows an inner fold to open for easy on/off wear so their is no opening to the inside of the boot when the zipper is open. They are water proof to the top of the boot. I upgraded to them because they are simply quicker to put on and allow me to wade through deeper water, if need be than my other ones. They do require a short break in period. My other snake boots are LaCrosse 15" lace up boots. I'm on my 4th year with them and they are still water proof up to the point where the front tongue opens up. I'm also on my 3rd set of laces too. Briars, etc. are hard on laces. I mainly use them for summer/early fall preseason deer scouting and stand prep work so they've been through a lot. They didn't require any break in period to speak of. I also have a pair of Danner snake boots too that I bought for 40% off during a local sporting goods store's going out of business sale but I haven't tried them yet. I just couldn't pass up the deal. That and the deal I got on a lot of turkey hunting paraphernalia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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