Having spent most of my childhood in the high desert, we were taught never to step over a log or a large rock, but to walk around it or dislodge it, first. I’m not necessarily “afraid” of snakes, and have been known to handle them, but I have a healthy respect for anything in the wild. I prefer to give all critters a wide berth, so they can do what it is that they do so well. :o]
And because of the real danger of ticks in the sagebrush and scrub oak, it was always long sleeves and long pants. We spent our summer scrambling around in the foothills and canyons.
..and work boots.. ;-)
Mine are 9" - with the BDU's tucked in. Although that's more to keep the ticks from crawling up the inside of the pant leg - it's easier to spot them if they must stay on the visible side of the clothing. ;-)
I can't recall any reports of rattler bites around here but you hear of copperhead bites periodically. Nonetheless, the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation (our tax dollars at work..) says we're in timber rattler territory..
As is Tax Chick and NNB (I think)..
