Rocky Brands Snake Guard Extreme Boots Offer Snakebite Protection and Flexibility
John E. Phillips 01.17.13
“Don’t tread on me” was a slogan featured along with a picture of a rattlesnake on one of the battle flags of the Republic of Texas. The new Rocky snake boot allows you (even unintentionally) to step on a rattlesnake and fear no harm. “This 16-inch snake boot is built on the Rocky Mobility Level 2 system that’s snake proof and waterproof, featuring Gore-Tex, and has the Snake Guard Extreme system built into the boot,” Sam Bowman, spokesman for Rocky Brands, reports. “These most-flexible snake boots on the market can be bent all the way down, put in your pack and carried with you, yet only weigh about 1.25 pounds per boot. The retail price on the Snake Guard Extreme boot will be about $279.” Now, I don’t know whether you’ve ever been struck by a snake or seen someone attacked by a snake. Even though these new boots from Rocky Brands will keep the snake from actually biting you, if the snake strikes, as soon as you feel or see the snake, you’ll want to put distance between you and that fanged viper. These boots are so light and so flexible you’ll be able to go a long ways quickly, even through water. Whether you’re turkey hunting this spring or bowhunting next fall, both optimum times for encountering snakes across much of the U.S., take a look at these new Snake Guard Extreme boots in the Realtree APG pattern from Rocky that are unlike any-other snake boot I’ve ever seen.
John, the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.
Phillips has been a contributor to many national magazines, has been affiliated with 27 radio stations across Alabama serving as their outdoor editor and wrote for a weekly syndicated column, "Alabama Outdoors," for 38-Alabama newspapers for more than 13 years. Phillips was Outdoor Editor for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" for 24 years. Phillips was also the executive editor for "Great Days Outdoors" magazine for 3 years.
The author of almost 30 books on the outdoors, Phillips is a founding member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and an active member of the Southeastern Outdoors Press Association (SEOPA). Phillips also is the owner of Night Hawk Publications, a marketing and publishing firm, and president of Creative Concepts, an outdoor consulting group.
Phillips conducts seminars across the nation at colleges in freelance writing, photography and outdoor education besides teaching courses in how to sell what you write to writers' groups. Phillips received his photography training as a still-lab photo specialist for six years in the Air Force. He was the chief photographer for Mannequins, Inc., a Birmingham modeling agency, for 11 years.
While serving as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Phillips was in charge of all press releases for the organization as well as serving as Chairman of Alabama's Big Buck Contest, which he founded more than 30 years ago. He also was president of the Alabama Sportsman's Association for three years.
Phillips is the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Governor of Alabama and the Department of Conservation for his work in the outdoor field. Phillips is vitally interested in the outdoors and travels the nation collecting personalities, stories and how-to information for his articles and features.
EDUCATION: B.S. degree from the University of West Alabama with a physical education major and a history minor.
EXPERIENCE: 10 years parttime and fulltime physical director for YMCAs and 34 years as a freelance writer, photographer, editor, book author, lecturer and daily-content provider for websites. Currently, Phillips is a field editor for Game and Fish Publications; serves on the editorial board of Grandview Media; is a regular contributor to 12 internet magazines and a daily content provider for 8 websites.
WRITING AWARDS: Runnerup - Best Outdoor Magazine Feature - 1981 - SEOPA; Certificate of Merit - Awarded by Alabama's Governor for writings on conservation; Most Outstanding Sports Writer in Southeast - 1983 & 1984; Best Outdoor Feature in Alabama, 1987 - Alabama Sportswriters' Association 3rd Place; Best Book of the Year - 1989 - SEOPA; 2007 - inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator; 2008 - received award naming him 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year from the Crossbow Manufacturers' Association; 2009 - GAMMA Honorable Mention for Consumer/Paid Best Essay for July/August 2008 in "Southern Sporting Journal."
