South Texas in February. Snake gaiters?

[Bow man]

We are heading to South Texas in February for Javelina and hogs.  Would you recommend snake gaiters or are they rare in February?

[Phillip Fields]

I've hunted south Texas for pigs/javelina in February (normally early Feb) 8 or 10 times over the past 20 years. I've only seen rattlers a couple of times. I have seen temps in the 90's so I always have a pair of snake boots with me, and will wear them as conditions dictate.

[TxSportsman]

I managed ranches in S. Texas for close to a decade. I would recommend wearing them. Though rare, I have seen rattle snakes out and about on 40 degree mornings. Plus, shooting a javelina or pig with a trad bow, your more then likely to encounter some thick brush that you'll have to stomp through. Not only do the gaiters or boots protect against snakes, they also protect you from all of the thorns and cactus that make up that eco region. Good luck on your hunt, those javelinas are a blast to sneak up on!

[wprovence]

Yes
I've seen snakes in patches of sunshine, surrounded by snow. In Texas, you can see snakes anytime..............Bill

[Wudstix]

If not for the snakes, for the brush, as mentioned.
 

[Bow man]

Thanks guys Tracey and I appreciate it

[Soonerlongbow]

 Began wearing snake chaps and now knee high boots, as other it have said, for the prickly vegetation. And that’s here in SW OK. Personally I’ve never seen one past mid November here but two anecdotes I’ll mention because it is roughly that time frame and it’s cooler here than there. I used to work on Ft. Sill here in SW OK for a long time. And at least twice while working there we had individuals bitten by western diamondbacks in January—February. One was technically off post on the adjoining National Wildlife Refuge, and the other was on post but in a manner of speaking, fairly close to the location of the other. The off post was a young girl hiking with a group and the snake tagged her as she stepped over a rock on the trail. I personally got to see that one because I worked as a police medic and responded to the ER on post to gather information. Ultimately she was fine. The other was a young officer and he was not as well off. Information we got was while on the land nav course he got hit by a “6-7 footer”. Normally I believe snake tales much like fishing tales. While it could’ve been a little smaller, I suspect it wasn’t. The young man ended up losing his leg as a result of the critter emptying his sacks into his calf.

I wear my snake boots darn near year ‘round now. But still mostly because of the vast quantities of stickers and cactus where I hunt.