I was bitten by a cottonmouth when I was a kid, I have a nice 8" scar from where my foot swoll up so bad they had to cut me to releive the pressure, spent 3 weeks in the hospital, few more on crutches. Was Not a pleasent!!!
Then as an adult, cleaning out brush, Like a big dummy I was wearing shorts and tennis shoes, a copperhead bit me, However nothing happend. The DR. at the emergency room said most copperhead bites are harmless, He said the snakes venom is not that potent and he probably dident pump enough in me to do damage since Im to big for him to eat. They kept me for a few hrs than sent me home. It hurt but no swelling or rotting tissue.
I am not about to test the Dr. theory though.....Get some boots, better to be safe than sorry