Repel snake bites?

[TexasToby]

Will Botas made from 3/4 oz. chap or upholstery leather prevent being bitten by a snake? Such as a rattle snake? I feel like it may help but, I don't know how much.  Any comments would be appreciated, thanks, Texas Toby

[Shotgun Franklin]

I've handled some big snakes and upholstery leather, IMO No.

[GunClick Rick]

When we gather at the river~~~~

[bedbugbilly]

From the size of some of 'em I've seen in AZ, I would also say no.  Remember their fangs are akin to curved needles - I'd be afraid if the leather wasn't heavy enough, they could easily puncture it and the leather might be a problem in the snakes ability to "let go" - which could in turn cause more venom to be injected.  I'm no snake expert, but I've heard that younger snakes are more dangerous than older ones - they haven't developed the control of the amount of venom they release on a strike like older snakes that have - results - they empty when they bite.  Whether that's true or not . . . it's something I don't want to learn the hard way!   

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

They've been known to go through boot leather too, in fact I once read a guys father was killed in the desert from a rattle snake bite, to his foot, he apparently kicked the snake off by kicking it off, but by doing so broke off one of its fangs , that fang was left in the boot, when his son went down to go through his things where he lived in the desert, he put on the same boots to look the area over, that fang penetrated his foot and almost took his life, he had a cell phone and was able to call for help before it was too late, so make sure the leather is tough enough for the job.

    tEN wOLVES   

[GunClick Rick]

Has to be true Bedbug Billy,i was pretty venomuos in my younger days! ```~~~~~~~:-<

[dusty texian]

Howdy Texas Toby,havin stomped around a few rattlers myself dont make me a expert ,but I do know that I respect the rattlers ability to strike fast and hard. That is why you will see me wearing my high top snake boots even when they aint the most comfortable choice. These boots are lined with that new stuff called Viper Cloth,I still have my doubts if it is snakeproof but it is dang good fer  turnin cactus ,and thats a big plus. I have smashed enough rattler heads to say the fangs are not very long even on a bigun but boy are they sharp. I think if you expect to be struck by a rattler and you know if you are in rattler country one day itll happen. You should use Vipercloth,Thats not to say if you use the botas over your hightop leather boots and pant leg ,would not stop or turn a strike , but why chance it .I have in the past couple yrs. had a few Heart Attacks at the ripe old age of 53,and now they have me on a blood thinner that is downright horrible. Ifn I get bit now I'm probably gonna have that part cut off. If I'm lucky.  One of my places is one hr and fourty five minutes too the HWY. and then 125 mi. too the Hospital.Bout three hrs. haulin xxx,So now I watch my step more than I used to. Sorry I got off on me but wanted you to know why I think Vipercloth is so important. After seein your botas and others that have posted ,I an considering gettin some on top of the snakeboots .Cant hurt,and sure wont get any hotter than them 18" hightops. Bad part is have seen the dang things strike above the knee more than once . Guess we can just hope for the best ,Good Luck Pard. and keep an eye open been seein them regular the last couple wks............Dusty Texian.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I was bitten on my left index finger. It is not like in the movies, except for the newer 'True Grit'. I was in ICU for 4 days, in a Ward for one more day. A Hand Specialist happen to be across the street and she came to the Hospital and saved my finger. I hate Rattlers now.

[GunClick Rick]

Floyd says NEVER point at a rattler!

[Massive]

I  have some of those snake proof chaps that consist of a chap made of cordura nylon with the area below the knee double cordura.  I don't know how well they work. But the material is lightweight nylon cloth.  It is baggy enough that the snake is likely to get a mouth full of nothing anyway.

Obviously when it comes to protection it is a complicated subject.  A helmet made of steel would not be a good protection, no mater how strong, unless there was enough give from a harness or foam to cushion a blow. 

In the old days when they were trying to open up the states to bowhunting, one trick they would do was get a sandbag of a size that it would stop a rifle bullet, say a 30-30, and yet the bows of the day would easily shoot through them.  Of course a bag not too tightly stuff with plastic bags will easily stop any with a field point.  Horses for courses, but hard to know what will or won't work.

[TexasToby]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think you pretty well satisfied the answer to my question. Thank God that I have never been bitten and I never want to be able to say I have been bitten. If I ever was I would probably die of a heart attack. I think I have heard that Kevlar is also good to repel snake bites. All I really know is to stay out of their way. I have a pair of Justin boots that say they are snake proof but, I think them plus maybe a pair of botas may be better. I really appreciate all the input. Thanks, Texas Toby

[Massive]

We have only a few rattlers around here.  I was in a book store a few years back, and picked up a serious looking book on snakes, and looked up our local species.  Goddness, those little fellahs have a very nasty combo venom, and it also turns out that locally the anti venom is rarely stocked by hospitals.  Of course the local nature types always start every descriptive pamphlet with "the shy and retiring..." 

I'm not in the shoot every snake camp, at least not for what we have, but you do have to look out for yourself.  For one thing the normal first aid recommendations seem to start from the premise that you got bit in the back seat of an SUV idling in a hospital drop-off lane.

[TexasToby]

I looked up the viper cloth and it is an affordable fabric so I ordered some. I am going to make another pair of botas and line them with the viper cloth and see how it does. I think for about an extra $15 or $20 for the cost, it just may be worth it. I know it will be for me a pair anyways.

[Major 2]

A good friend of mine, retired after 40 years a Florida Sheriff as a Lieutenant.
He had bought a place near Troy, Ala.
While clearing some brush he was struck by Timber Rattler in the hand through work gloves.

It was just one fang, they surmised either he was missing one or just hit him a glancing bite allowing just the one fang to enter.
My friend was alone, a good 20 miles from the nearest Hospital, his police training, allowed him to keep cool & under the strain
Talked 911 in to his position.

Took 19 vials of anti venom to stabilize him, the hospital only had 20 on hand    in what is known as Snake country.
They saved him & his hand but he took nearly 2 years to complete recuperate....

It amasses me to see people , in particular young women in shorts & flip-flops in snake country !  

[Don Nix]

Last night my daughter and I were walking to he saddle shop when we passed a pile of leaves that needed to be burned but I havent goten around to it yet ,when I heard a rustle in the leaves and I turned the flashlight  on and sure enough there was a good sized Copperhead that we has just walked by. I had my 38 derringer in my pocket and the first shot missed just in front of the head which caused him to turn around and head toward me. the second shot luckily got him about 4" behind the head. he was about 2'long. Big enough to make you really sick. My daughter had on flip flops and it would have ruined her day.
Copperheads dont hit that hard but a big rattler can make you think he broke your leg.
if your gonna wear leather make it heavier at least in the 8-10 oz range. but your best bet is snake cloth.

[GunClick Rick]

My snake shooter is a 44 mag 10 1/2 inch barrel Ruger with snake shot, and as short as i am it don't take much aim,used it twice,living just below the big redwoods and foothills dey snattlerakes everywhere,the first one i almost stepped on trying to get rid of coyotes on a friends property,my brother in law hollered snake as i was stepping over irrigation pipe,i drew and fired and his head dissapeared,it was a young one about a foot long,i made a necklace out of his little bones

OOPS sorry Floyd