I have been hit by a rattlesnake. I was fortunate to be wearing heavy boots and was hit just below the top of the boot. I had two pretty holes in my boot that just didn't quite make it all the way through.I've lived in Texas for more than five years and in the central part of the state (not too far from REW) for more than two. And I'm yet to have an encounter with a rattlesnake or a scorpion. Or a chigger, for that matter. Granted that I haven't tried hard to find them, but...
Chiggers used to be much worse before the fire ants took over most of the state. I think the fire ants eat them.