I was bow hunting elk a few years in an area on a mountain where I had run into rattlesnakes in the past. I was still hunting and saw a cow heading up a ridge in my direction I backed off into tall grass in an attempt for some concealment. I felt something tapping my right ankle and I looked down and there was a small 2 ft rattler striking at my ankle. I took my arrow and flicked it away. I was wearing pants, fairly heavy scrap hiking boots and kuiu gaiters. The snake apparently couldn't bite through my gaiters and boots helped too.
Thought that was interesting. I always wear heavy gaiters bird hunting in early season. No proof they'll protect me a hundred per cent
