No need for snake boots in the desert (haven't seen a rattler in the unit with hundreds of miles walked) and no need to "hire" any help, early in the late summer hit the willows and Russian Olive swamp areas, the deer in agricultural areas seem to be "seen" and older age class bucks I've seen do not hang out around ag fields but more in tall, isolated sage, cattails, Russian Olive and willows.. Unit is not what it was before it went to permit only or early years of the unit but lots of 140 to 160 inch bucks, it'll be fun and best of luck!