snake protection.

[skierbob]

Am going to Laughlin, NV for the AMDA hunt at the end of October. While there me and a buddy are going to try some nugget hunting with detectors. We both joined the GPAA and will try to hunt on one of their claims in Nevada or Arizona. I think I have all the equipment needed, but someone told me I need to get a pair of leather leg gaiters for protection from snakes. Is this true? If so, where can I get a pair of gaiters or any other type of snake protection? Thanks.

 

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[stefen]

True...and an Army Surplus store would be a good bet...try letting your fingers do the walking.

Although by that time in October most of the snakes may be in hibernation...wouldn't take chance though.

 

[snake35]

I wear military issue boots and carry a walking stick. Good luck.

 

[skierbob]

Thanks, guys. I just checked Cabella's Fall catalog and they have several pairs of gaiters on sale. I think I'll order a pair from them.
Bob

 

[goldinmypan]

There is a metal detecting store in Vegas that sells both snake boots and chaps that have no metal in them so they won't registar on your detector. I don't know the quality. you probably could find an add in one of the prospecting mags.

Your detector will make a pretty good snake stick to shoo them away but just watch where you put your feet and hands.

 

[Colorado Bob]

Hi Skierbob.

There are gaiters and then there are snake gaiters. They are not the same.
Snake gaiters have been pr oven to protect from snake bites, regular gaiters have not.

The better snake gaiters are usually made from a ballistic material with layers of a very tight weave polyester material.
Most will have an extra tongue that lays over the top of the shoe/boot and extends almost out to the toes, while some have inserts that are sewn inside the gaiter.

They will usually run from $50.00 to well over a $l00.00.

I wear mine summer and winter, as I have seen rattlesnakes out in the winter months on warm days. They are also great for wading through the cactus.

And you don't always get hit on the front of the leg. I know of one of the guys that has been hit three times, once on the back of the leg.

The ones that I have, come all the way to the top of my knee. I have been lucky so far and have never been hit but have came close a couple of times.

When you are three or four miles from the truck in the rugged terrain, its not a good time to be bit, nor is any other time.

Don't know if you have ever saw anyone who has been bit by a rattlesnake? But your arm or leg will swell up at least two to three times its normal size and get so tight that the circulation is shut off. Then the doctor will split you open from the thigh or knee down to the foot, just to relieve the pressure. This thing will spread open to at least an inch or two with the raw meat sticking out and thats the way you will be for several days. Then it depends on how bad it is and how bad of a shape your in, but sometimes they will shoot you up with 20 or more vials of anti-venom. Bad and ugly.

Bob T.

.

 

[Hoser John]

367 mag fulla snakeshot takes'm out in the blink of a eye!!Worked for over 50 years and after a lifetime in the rattler filled boonies---snakes 0,me -thousands..Never saw a rattler or an x wife I like-Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[skierbob]

Thanks for the info everybody. That's kind of scary. Makes you wonder if it's all worthwhile. I'll have to talk it over some more with my buddy. Maybe we'll just do some detecting in the beach areas along the Colorado River in Bullhead City or Lake Havasue or spend some more time and money in the casinos at Laughlin. Thanks again.
Bob

 

[djui5]

Don't be a chicken!

Just watch your step, get some rattler gaiters (cabell's sells them), and you'll be fine. If your worried, take a stick and bang it on the rocks as your walking around, letting the wildlife know your coming. If anything, it makes you feel better. They're scary, but don't let them stop you from getting to the good locations.

 

[skierbob]

Thanks, djui5. That's reassuring. I did order a pair of snake gaiters from Cabellas. They should be here in a couple days. I just talked to my buddy Ed on the phone. He's already out there in Laughlin and he's got a couple places picked out for us to nugget hunt. He's not worried at all about snakes. But I told him he ought to have a pair of gaiters just in case. So, it looks like we will do some nugget hunting after all. Thanks again.
Bob

 

[djui5]

Thanks, djui5. That's reassuring. I did order a pair of snake gaiters from Cabellas. They should be here in a couple days. I just talked to my buddy Ed on the phone. He's already out there in Laughlin and he's got a couple places picked out for us to nugget hunt. He's not worried at all about snakes. But I told him he ought to have a pair of gaiters just in case. So, it looks like we will do some nugget hunting after all. Thanks again.
Bob

You're welcome. I'm scared as hell of snakes too, but have been hiking with a couple of guys who laughed at me. They said it's not really likely you'll ever run into one, and I was being wayyy to cautious. They also said it's good to be carefull, watch where you step, etc. If I'm in an area where it looks like a lot of snakes might be I'll poke all the bushes, under rocks, etc as I walk along. If I'm climbing over rocks I always check the bottom of the rock for a crevice/hole where snakes like to hide, and put my stick down before I step there. That way if there is a snake, it'll bite the stick, not my leg. If your wearing gaiters you'll be fine. If I had a pair I probably wouldn't be scared at all, just watch where I step.

I have no greater fear than getting bit by some big rattler.

 

[Grubstake]

Most of us that detect for nuggets in the desert, whear Snake gaitors, you can order them from DOC's Profile pospecting in Las Vegas, $49.00= Shipping, mine are two years old, and have no metal in them, knee high. Good protection, will take a 12 ga shot gun blast at 20 yards. Everyone use's them that hunts in snake areas. Grubstake