What about snakes when hunting in Texas?

One of our new hunters, for this year, was asking me about snakes in Texas and what kind of footgear he should use. Yes, there are snakes in Texas but in the past 22 years of hunting and being outdoors in Texas I have only seen one snake in the field and it was probably a copperhead just minding his own business. I say that because I did not get, nor want to get close enough to the snake for positive identification or any type of inter action. Given the chance a snake does not want to be close you and most snake bites are due to guys messing around with snakes. Don’t mess around with snakes, just let them be.

Now when it comes to footgear a six or eight inch boot of any type will probably stop most any snake bit if you happen to step on a snake and lace up boots are the most comfortable. The heavy fabric of newer style hiking boots will work but I still prefer my old kangaroo leather upland hunting boots which happen to lighter than cow leather, well worn in and kind of stinky and stinky might help keep snakes away.

If you happen to get bit, if the snake is non-poisonous there will be some pain and if it is venomous you will think you have been hit with a 2,000 volt cattle prod and you will be in extreme pain. Don’t mess around trying to find the snake that bite you because you will be given an all-purpose anti-venom injection just as soon as you reach medical care. In fact, call ahead and advise them to have it ready when you hit the emergency room.

As stated above, your chances of being one of the 8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes in the US every year are small since most of those who will be bitten are idiots in Oklahoma and elsewhere who are noodling for catfish and just generally doing stupid stuff.