I grew up in the swamp country of northeasten NC where there are lots of cottonmouths. We used to run across them frequently while we were bushing duck blinds or bull frogging, as well as fishing up in the cypruses. We used to wade out after frogs at night in water chest deep. But I never have worn snake boots and have never felt any concern for getting bit. I also lived in AZ one year and hunted quail out in the desert and grassland while there, and never felt concerned about snakes there either. Hunted down in central FL after osceolas two years ago, and the only thing I was concerned about was gators. Well, okay -- after seeing that panther one day, I did get spooked by an armadillo while I was roosting a turkey later that evening. Hope nothing ever happens that makes me start being concerned about snakes, if you know what I mean.