I killed two last year near my stand. Luckily I have not seen any yet this year though. I did see a non-venomous snake, but I don’t kill those because some (king snakes) eat the venomous snakes. I do have the knee high Rocky snake boots but I’ve yet to have a snake strike at them. I just think it’s a good precaution to wear them unit it gets real cold. I don’t like the plastic “armor” like things that go over your boots. They are bulky and uncomfortable in my opinion. Also, It’s been my experience that if you just really watch where you’re going, especially around rocks that you will see them before you step on them. Rattlers also don’t seem to be aggressive. Unlike the cotton mouth which will intentional move towards you. Rattlers seem to just want to be left alone and will try to avoid a confrontation.