Question:
I'm planning a deer hunting trip to NorthCentral Texas in a couple of weeks.
I'm wondering about the need for snake boots or leggings. I would appreciate
hunters sharing their experiences on the matter. Thanks in advance for your
help.
Answer:
I don't think you have much to worry about around the DFW area. I assume you
will be hunting well north or west, or south of DFW as the DFW area is not
noted for high populations of deer. There aren't high populations of ratttle
snakes either. Plenty of copperheads and cotton mouths around the lakes and
rivers, but they are shy and timid. So much so I had a hard time hunting and
catching them as a kid in the Lewisville area.
If you plan to hunt west of Ft Worth you'll be entering rattle snake
country. I currently live and bowhunt in the most rattle snake infested
areas of the state and have encountered dozens of these "buzzing buggers"
without mishap. I don't know anyone who wears snake boots, at least not
anyone native to the area. In fact Bare-foot-Bob hunts with a long bow in the
cactus and scrub around Albany TX completely bare foot. To me snake boots
look too uncomfortable and ill-suited to any amount of hiking.
There is no reason to get paranoid as they are purely defensive and almost
never strike unless provoked. They also will let you know when you get too
close, and the buzzing is unmistakeable. I don't know if they hear you or
feel the vibrations of your foot falls, but they will sing out when you get
within 10-20 feet and won't strike untill you get within 2 feet and even then
you have to poke at them. I guess you could get bit if you stepped on one,
but then you deserved it (to ignor all that noise).
They seem to be thicker around stock tanks in dry areas, and most active
when warm. Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll be fine.
