Getting ready for Eastern Cape Hunt!

[oahufish]

I'm getting ready for a hunt in the Eastern Cape SA in April 2022. It's early but I live in Hawaii and haven't done much hunting in the past decade so want to get an early start by putting in time at the range, doing a couple outer Island hunts and also putting together some hunting gear and getting clothing/boots broken in. Might sound like a wuss, but I really don't like poisonous snakes since we don't have any here in the Islands. Is there any chance I might encounter any this time of year in the Eastern Cape? Should I consider a good pair of "snake boots or gaitors"? I watch many hunts on youtube, and don't believe I've ever seen folks wearing them!
Thanks

 

[cls]

Welcome to AH, probably still too cold in April for the snakes to be out and about. Lots of guys do use gaiters but just to keep the crap out of their boots. Enjoy the planning, it's half the fun.

 

[krish]

Welcome to AH. Are you the bee farmer ?

 

[Firebird]

The best resource is your ph-the ph knows where you will be hunting and will have a very informed answer to your questions. I think most of us here hate serpents!

 

[JimP]

April is summer time in South Africa.

My outfitter in the Eastern Cape killed a cape cobra the week before we got there in mid May.

 

[cls]

Spring here Fall there.

 

[mikecatt13]

I'm getting ready for a hunt in the Eastern Cape SA in April 2022. It's early but I live in Hawaii and haven't done much hunting in the past decade so want to get an early start by putting in time at the range, doing a couple outer Island hunts and also putting together some hunting gear and getting clothing/boots broken in. Might sound like a wuss, but I really don't like poisonous snakes since we don't have any here in the Islands. Is there any chance I might encounter any this time of year in the Eastern Cape? Should I consider a good pair of "snake boots or gaitors"? I watch many hunts on youtube, and don't believe I've ever seen folks wearing them!
Thanks

Probably silly to most, but I'm about 90% sure I'll be wearing snake gaiters on my safari(s). Snakes absolutely terrify me and, their winter or not, I just think walking through tall grass, brush etc. in an area where those types of things live might take years off the life of my heart. I know deep down it's just a mental thing, they'd probably strike plenty high to still take me out if wearing gaiters but I'm not sure I'd be able to relax and enjoy without some protection for peace of mind. Wouldnt be the first time I've had an odd opinion differing from most lol

 

[375Fox]

I’ve been on 9 safaris including outside the winter months in March and October. I’ve only seen 4 snakes. 2 mambas and a puff adder while hunting and we had a 4 ft green grass snake curl up in the shower drain one night in Zambia, then tried to crawl up my dad’s leg with the hot shower in the morning! I don’t think you will find many foreign hunters who have seen many snakes. The snake boots wouldn’t help you with the mambas, but they ran away as soon as they saw us. Not sure what area you will be hunting in eastern cape but I would ask your outfitter about ticks and spraying your clothes with permethrin before you go. The ticks concern me much more than snakes. I actually wish I had opportunity to see more snakes there (at a safe distance).

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the booking!

 

[mikecatt13]

I’ve been on 9 safaris including outside the winter months in March and October. I’ve only seen 4 snakes. 2 mambas and a puff adder while hunting and we had a 4 ft green grass snake curl up in the shower drain one night in Zambia, then tried to crawl up my dad’s leg with the hot shower in the morning! I don’t think you will find many foreign hunters who have seen many snakes. The snake boots wouldn’t help you with the mambas, but they ran away as soon as they saw us. Not sure what area you will be hunting in eastern cape but I would ask your outfitter about ticks and spraying your clothes with permethrin before you go. The ticks concern me much more than snakes. I actually wish I had opportunity to see more snakes there (at a safe distance).

I sure hope I dont average a snake sighting every 2 safaris or so, yikes!

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Being in South Texas I wear snake boots here quite a bit in certain areas and when warm temps are present. Hunted Limpopo SA in February, it was warm grass was high. Did wear them most days even though my PH thought it was not necessary. Being older and growing up in the south with lots of snakes and not been hit yet feel I am pushing my luck, may not wear snake boots but always some kind of boot when in the field. Did kill a small cobra in camp the day I got there.

Welcome to the fire, great site full of information.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Enjoy planning your hunt. Welcome to AH.

I have seen more Scorpions by far, while I've been crawling around on the ground hunting in Africa.

I have seen one snake trail in the sand. I started to follow it to get a picture. It dawned on me, after following it about thirty feet, that I just might want to avoid the experience all together.
So, nothing alive yet.

 

[Trogon]

I'm more concerned with ticks, spiders and scorpions over encountering venomous reptiles.

 

[Cam Moon]

I've seen a few. None that I felt threatened by. The problem is when they are there and you DON'T see them! I believe that's when most bites from Adders occur. Apparently they don't like being stepped on!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Y

I’ve been on 9 safaris including outside the winter months in March and October. I’ve only seen 4 snakes. 2 mambas and a puff adder while hunting and we had a 4 ft green grass snake curl up in the shower drain one night in Zambia, then tried to crawl up my dad’s leg with the hot shower in the morning! I don’t think you will find many foreign hunters who have seen many snakes. The snake boots wouldn’t help you with the mambas, but they ran away as soon as they saw us. Not sure what area you will be hunting in eastern cape but I would ask your outfitter about ticks and spraying your clothes with permethrin before you go. The ticks concern me much more than snakes. I actually wish I had opportunity to see more snakes there (at a safe distance).

Yoh! That should put his mind at rest....

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Oahufish, I know exactly how you feel. Poisonous snakes are indeed a reality in the EC, puffadders and rinkals are the worst. This is what you need, add long canvas trousers and you are good to go. They knew what they were doing

back then.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello oahufish,

Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[nztimb]

Giday oahufish and welcome to the A H forums

 

[Ridgewalker]

oahufish, welcome to the AH forum!
Snakes...yikes! The vehicle that arrived just ahead of me in a Limpopo camp saw a mamba maybe 10 minutes ahead of my arrival. You'd need a full body suit so I understand to protect yourself from them. That was the end of May.
4 trips and I have yet to see one. Though I was told at a couple of camps to make certain I kept the door shut and at a Limpopo tent camp they put moth balls around to keep them away!
I agree whole heartedly on Permetherin on your clothes before you go to help prevent bad bugs from getting a taste of your blood. I use it fishing near mangroves in Florida and while traveling in Alaska. Any place there’s blood suckers!
I guess I’m just a sweet blooded guy.

 

[YancyW]

In Namibia, on a pretty warm afternoon, I saw just a glimpse of a snake while walking across a dry creek bed. It wasn't too close and the trackers didn't really react to it, I asked later what it was, tracker tells me Zebra snake and says it isn't a problem. I had never heard of one, and didn't realize it is in the cobra family until I looked it up when I got home.

I hunt a fair amount in New Mexico, depending on the time of year, I do wear snake boots/gaiter. I have never been hit, but there are times I see multiple snakes a day.