Snake Boots for Turkey Hunting: The Complete Guide

Turkey hunting involves spending long hours in the woods and fields calling, waiting, and scoping for wild turkeys. And where there is prime turkey territory, venomous snakes are often not far away. That’s why specialized snake boots are essential gear for staying protected on spring turkey hunts.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• The risk of snake bites while turkey hunting
• How snake boots provide bite protection
• Key features to look for in snake boots
• Reviews of the top Snake boot brands & models
• Tips for choosing the right size, fit, and style
• How to break in and care for snake boots

Read on for everything you need to know to shop smart and choose the best snake boots for your turkey hunting needs.

The Danger of Snakes While Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunters often set up concealed blinds or sit motionless against trees while calling, scattering decoys and waiting for that gobbler to appear. This puts you directly in snake territory and danger.

Venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and others thrive in the scrub, forests and fields inhabited by wild turkeys. And the spring turkey season coincides with snake’s most active time when they emerge from hibernation.

If a hidden snake is accidentally startled or stepped on during your hunt, it will strike. Snake bite injuries while turkey hunting increase during spring months for this reason. A suitable pair of snake boots provides vital protection.

How Snake Boots Prevent Bites

Snake boots are specially constructed boots that extend at least 16 inches up the leg and use puncture-proof materials to create a snake bite barrier. This prevents fangs from penetrating and injecting venom.

Several key features make snake boots effective:

• Tall shafts cover feet, ankles, calves to block access points for snake bites. 16-18 inches is recommended.
• Thick leather or abrasion-resistant fabric provides a tough external layer.
• Snake guards made of fiberglass, Kevlar or carbon shield the boot interior.
• Sealed seams prevent snake fangs from penetrating vulnerable stitching.

The combination of height, materials, guards and sealed seams makes properly fitted snake boots impenetrable to snake fangs. This gives turkey hunters peace of mind against surprise snake strikes.

Top Snake Boot Brands and Models

Many major hunting footwear companies offer reliable snake boots to choose from. Here are some of the top options to consider:

LaCrosse Venom Scent

• Premium leather and 1000D nylon
• Durable rubber outsoles
• 360° snake guard
• Mossy Oak camo or brown

Top choice overall for comfort, camo options and scent control.

Irish Setter Vaprtrek

• Leather/fabric upper
• RPM composite sole
• Ultralight 400g insulation
• Snake guard wrap

Lightweight and breathable option perfect for warm weather hunting.

Danner Pronghorn

• Full-grain leather
• Gore-Tex waterproofing
• Fiberglass shank
• Sturdy TPU outsole

Great rugged boot for harsh weather and negotiating rough terrain.

Muck Woody Max

• 5mm neoprene flex-foam
• EverGuard snake protection
• Mossy Oak camo pattern
• Breathable Airmesh lining

Waterproof snake boot perfect for wet, marshy areas.

Rockrooster Tejas

• Premium full-quill ostrich leather
• ViperClaw flexible guard
• Shock absorbing EVA midsole
• Rugged Vibram outsole

Expensive but ultra-lightweight and breathable in hot climates.

This covers some of the top manufacturers and models, but many others exist too. Look for established hunting footwear brands for the best combination of protection, quality and comfort.

Key Features to Look for in Snake Boots

With different brands and styles available, keep these key criteria in mind when selecting snake boots for turkey hunting:

Correct Size

Snake boots must fit snugly with no gaps for venom to leak through. Measure your calf circumference to get the right size. Trying on in stores is best.

16-18 Inch Height

The shaft needs to extend at least 16 inches up your calf to block snake bites. 17-18 inches is even better and offers more flexibility for tucking pants.

Waterproof

Waterproofing ensures feet stay dry in morning dew or marsh. Materials like leather or Gore-Tex provide reliable water protection.

Insulation

Insulation keeps your feet warm on chilly spring mornings. 200-400 gram Thinsulate is ideal for maintaining comfort and stealth.

Snake Guards

The internal snake guard (carbon fiber, Kevlar, etc.) must fully wrap around the boot to prevent penetrations.

Tread Design

Lugged, aggressive outsoles provide traction in soft ground, leaves or mud when chasing gobblers on the move.

Using this criteria helps identify which snake boots offer the right blend of bite protection and hunting performance.

Proper Fit and Sizing of Snake Boots

To maximize safety, you need snake boots that fit properly with no excess space or uncomfortable tightness:

• Snug fit – Boots should fit tight in the calf and ankle with no pinch points. Heel and toes should not slip when walking.
• No bunching – Excess wrinkling or fabric bunching can create gaps for venom to leak through. The boot should have a smooth, creaseless fit.
• Room for pants – The shaft needs room for tucking hunting pants inside cleanly. Measure circumference over pants.
• Match sock thickness – Try boots on with the socks you’ll wear hunting to ensure good fit. Thicker socks require more room.
• Consider insoles – Custom orthotics and aftermarket insoles can impact fit, so test with your insoles.

Taking the time to find your proper snake boot size and fit is a wise investment for your safety and comfort during long spring hunts.

Snake Boot Styles for Hunting Use

Snake boots come in a variety of styles to match conditions and hunters’ preferences:

Knee-High Snake Boots

• Shaft extends to knee level or slightly above.
• Provides maximum coverage and protection.
• Can limit mobility compared to shorter versions.

Mid-Calf Snake Boots

• Shaft stops near middle of calf.
• Maintains flexibility while blocking bites.
• Allows tucking pants easily.
• Most common snake boot height.

Ankle-Height Snake Boots

• Low shaft covers only ankle/lower leg.
• Maintains full mobility and movement.
• Less protection from snake bites.
• Good for warm weather.

Most turkey hunters do best with mid-calf length snake boots to balance protection and agility. But choose the option suiting your hunting style and climate.

Camouflage vs. Leather Snake Boots

Another decision is opting for camo patterned or plain/brown leather snake boots. Each has advantages:

• Camouflage Snake Boots – Patterned boots from leaves, brush or trees blend into spring background to avoid spooking turkeys.
• Leather Snake Boots – Plain leather boots make less noise crunching leaves and brush while stalking through the woods.

Consider when stealth vs. concealment are most important to you and whether the selected camo pattern actually matches your specific hunting area. Both options can be effective when used properly.

Breaking In New Snake Boots

Brand new snake boots will be stiff and require a break-in period to reach their full comfort potential. Here are some tips to properly break them in:

• Wear for short periods at home to mold to your feet before long hunts.
• Waterproofing sprays can soften leather to flex easier.
• Remove insoles and use thick socks to reduce friction while breaking in.
• Walk on inclines and uneven ground which flexes the boots more.
• Apply leather conditioner during break-in to soften material.
• Pack boots with newspaper or shoe trees between wearings to hold shape.

Investing this effort upfront makes a big difference in snake boots feeling like a natural extension of your foot for all-day turkey hunts.

Caring for Your Snake Boots

With proper care and maintenance, a quality pair of snake boots will protect you for years of hunting. Here are some care tips:

• Rinse/clean boots after use to prevent stain and odor buildup.
• Remove debris from treads that could damage floors or carpets.
• Allow boots to fully air dry between uses. Stuff with newspaper to wick moisture.
• Use leather conditioner every 2-3 months to keep the material supple.
• Store boots upright on boot trees with shafts fully extended.
• Replace worn laces that could fail in the field.
• Inspect for cracks or holes in guard material and get repaired.

Thank You For Reading Out The Whole Article, Good luck With Your Turkey Hunting Adventure!