Light weight Snake Gaiters

[southpawcaddis]

I enjoy small stream fishing and usually wet wade in warmer weather. It surprised me, some of the encounters that I have had with snakes, how docile they are. But I hate walking through ferns etc. Does anyone wear gaiters? And if you do, any recommendations? Thanks

 

[wildtrout2]

I enjoy small stream fishing and usually wet wade in warmer weather. It surprised me, some of the encounters that I have had with snakes, how docile they are. But I hate walking through ferns etc. Does anyone wear gaiters? And if you do, any recommendations? Thanks

The ferns are a good place to be extra cautious, the timbers find good hunting in them. Swattie can give you some good ideas on gaiters, since he wears them in snake country. I consider the slack in my waders good enough protection from fangs. You pretty much have to step on a rattler to get bitten.

 

[nd1001]

I wear CrackShot gaiters, and I like them. Gaiters also serve as good gravel guards and protection from thorns.

The CrackShot brand is a bit more expensive than cheap ones I’ve found on Amazon, but my first cheapo pair would always ride up and had a strap break.

What really sold me on the CrackShot was an old demo video of a guy testing them out (repeatedly) on a real rattler.

 

[tomgamber]

Stomp when you walk. You'll never see em.

 

[jeffroey]

TurtleSkin Snake Armor. Love them. Light and flexible. I wear the same pair regardless of if I'm wet wading or wade fishing.

 

[Swattie87]

I wear the soft wrap around your waders or pants ones. Scent blocker brand. They’ve held up well. Never actually fully tested them, but plenty of times close enough I was glad I had them on.

Same as you with the ferns. You can’t see where you’re putting your feet.

 

[Mashbill]

i hope we have another new snake thread this year - like we did last Spring. that was mind blowing!
... and i hope i'm not a contributor!

- glad this topic was re-posted to remind me. Im going with Swattie's Scent Blockers -- i like the buckles
( look like they are adjustable ) and seem a good price point for what i need. I dont have to want to worry about this as im thrashing around in the scrub.

 

[Swattie87]

I’m sure someone probably will. I saw two last year. I’d say my long term average is about one per year.

 

[southpawcaddis]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Bruno]

Some Statistics​

the odds of you being bitten are 40,965 to one. Basically Drunk Dumb young people get bitten. The 85% of bites happen on the hands tells ya something - don't touch snakes . Cows and Dogs are more dangerous.

• In the United States, 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year.
• 55 percent of people bitten by snakes are male, ages 17 to 27.
• 85 percent of bites are to the fingers and hands.
• 13 percent of snakebites occur on the feet and legs, rarely above the ankle.
• 57 percent of snakebite victims were handling the snake at the time of the bite.
• 28 percent of snakebite victims were intoxicated.
• Denim clothing can reduce the amount of venom injected by a snakebite by 60 percent or more.
• On average, five Americans die from snakebites each year.

This is from an article from Outside Magazine.

Let's Talk About Snakebites

It's rattlesnake season. Are you going to die?

www.outsideonline.com

 

[wildtrout2]

Some Statistics​

the odds of you being bitten are 40,965 to one. Basically Drunk Dumb young people get bitten. The 85% of bites happen on the hands tells ya something - don't touch snakes . Cows and Dogs are more dangerous.

• In the United States, 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year.
• 55 percent of people bitten by snakes are male, ages 17 to 27.
• 85 percent of bites are to the fingers and hands.
• 13 percent of snakebites occur on the feet and legs, rarely above the ankle.
• 57 percent of snakebite victims were handling the snake at the time of the bite.
• 28 percent of snakebite victims were intoxicated.
• Denim clothing can reduce the amount of venom injected by a snakebite by 60 percent or more.
• On average, five Americans die from snakebites each year.

This is from an article from Outside Magazine.

Let's Talk About Snakebites

It's rattlesnake season. Are you going to die?

www.outsideonline.com

Not to mention, one third of rattlesnake bites are what's called a "dry bite" where the snake doesn't even inject venom, preferring to preserve it for when it's procuring food. More of a "stop bothering me" bite. It usually knows the difference between a potential food source and an annoyance. Just don't step on one. 😉

 

[southpawcaddis]

28 percent of snakebite victims were intoxicated.

I'm not drunk when I fish, but I'm sure some might think I was if they watched me fish 😎

 

[Swattie87]

If you see, or hear, a Timber and can identify where it is, if you simply leave it alone, there is a practical 0% chance of being bit. It will just sit there, it probably won’t rattle, and it definitely won’t chase after you or attempt to get closer to you. If given the opportunity to retreat some will, but most just don’t move at all.

The issue is stepping on, or near one, that you didn’t know was there. My experience is most won’t rattle to warn you. That’s where the gaiters are important IMO. By early June the forest understory is such that you can’t always see where you’re putting your feet. I’ve stepped within striking distance of probably 3 or 4. One was close enough that my boot touched it. They all had the same reaction…None rattled, they all coiled and puffed themselves up, but none of them struck. Still glad I had gaiters on. And they are good for protecting your lower waders from thorns and sticks and the like too.

The kind of stuff I fish, you encounter ferns like this all the time. Do what ya like, but I feel more comfortable and confident with a pair of gaiters on in the Summer. And I DID see a Rattler on that trip from this June.

 

[wildtrout2]

Timber rattlers are much like black bears, they want absolutely nothing to do with you, at all.

 

[afishinado]

I have a hunting cabin near Noxen, where they do the "Rattlesnake Roundup" every year. Wearing gaiters is best, but when I hike in rattler country I walk slow through the ferns and underbrush and sort of shuffle my feet. I often use my wading staff or stick to move the underbrush and shoo away the snakes before steppin on them. Many encounters but never bitten or seen one strike at me. Good luck out there.

Snakes slither in and out of Noxen during Rattlesnake Roundup

Rattler roundup: Name your poison NOXEN – Kevin Noldy of Hop Bottom said he’s seen his share of black and garter snakes, but Sunday was a Father’s Day first. He saw a rattlesnake …

www.thetimes-tribune.com

 

[brookiefan]

I do fair amount of fishing in snake country. Most people above say the snakes aren't really aggressive , just don't step on them. I'm not really worried about them , but like the idea of gaiters providing protection from thorns as I hike through plenty of those. I have a pair of Green Jeans from Muscle & Arm farm that I use for landscaping. They're pretty heavy duty and I think they would provide protection similar to gaiters. They also only cost $59.

 

[Kms]

I do fair amount of fishing in snake country. Most people above say the snakes aren't really aggressive , just don't step on them. I'm not really worried about them , but like the idea of gaiters providing protection from thorns as I hike through plenty of those. I have a pair of Green Jeans from Muscle & Arm farm that I use for landscaping. They're pretty heavy duty and I think they would provide protection similar to gaiters. They also only cost $59.

Another option: Dan’s snake gaiters are inexpensive, “briarproof,” and lightweight.

SNAKE PROTECTOR GAITERS

 

[wildtrout2]

Most people above say the snakes aren't really aggressive , just don't step on them.

They are not at all aggressive. Probably one of the most docile snakes you're likely to encounter. Just don't step on one. 😉

 

[salmonoid]

In August 2024, I had a timber rattler exert it's presence on my campsite, for 12 hours. Never rattled once and I was a foot away from it at one point (unbeknownst to me, until it became known to me..). It's worthy of a post, that I never got around to writing, but you almost have to go out of your way to get bitten. Be aware of your surroundings, nonetheless, and don't put your fingers in places you can't see climbing up, nor put your feet in places you can't see climbing down (or while stepping over logs).

I wear chaps while fishing most of the time, but they are mostly to protect my waders from brush, but would also serve up some small amount of snake fang deterrent too.

 

[sandflyx]

august through october is when they get agressive, mating season and shedding here in north central Pa.