Thoughts on Craig Boddington?

[JES Adventures]

Back in the early 80’s he was the keynote speaker at the Records of Exotics annual awards banquet where he bestowed an award on me. He was the consummate gentleman. I continue to run into him over the many years since and he has never changed. I enjoy his writing and have always find him friendly and inviting in conversation.

 

[CBH Australia]

If think you can only make your own assesment. There is plenty to research.

I expect changing endorsed outfitters is simply business. Maybe I'm wrong but the endorsement is likely a paid promotion or sponsorship.
If Hornady sponsor CB he is seen using Hornady gear. We can Like or dislike the product bits it's Commerce, to them it's business.

 

[buckmarkhunter]

I met him twice at DSC. I bought a book from him both times. Both times he was polite and answered the questions I had for him and signed both my books. I know I gave him money but all in all decent guy just doing what he loves.

 

[Longwalker]

I have read many of his published articles, and watched a few videos. Met him once at a public function. All in all a positive assessment from me.

 

[CBH Australia]

I met him twice at DSC. I bought a book from him both times. Both times he was polite and answered the questions I had for him and signed both my books. I know I gave him money but all in all decent guy just doing what he loves.

He is lucky to be doing what he loves.
Not everyone can do it or have the personality to pull it off. I'm sure he worked hard to get there but , he is lucky to be doing what he loves.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I have had the pleasure of meeting and discussing hunting in Africa, dangerous game hunting in particular on at least three occasions. He came across a sincere man with no particular agenda. I have also bought and read his books on Safari Rifles and Accurate Rifles and believe he is true to his word. He has some interesting stories as well.

 

[sestoppelman]

Have met him twice at the SHOT shows some years back, he was always polite and not at all dismissive, and some time later I emailed him and he remembered me and we have corresponded several times since and always have good conversations.
I enjoy his writings and own many of his books and treasure very much several of them. Whatever hand he was dealt going thru bankruptcy has nothing to do with how he treated me.
I know some here have a very dim view of how that went down but, I aint one of them.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What is this site’s general opinion on Craig Boddington? I ask this as I’ve rarely seen him being talked out and when he is talked about, people have an oddly negative opinion of him. I’m not sure why, exactly. He doesn’t seem to be very smug (unlike a certain Mark Sullivan) and vast majority of his hunts, at least from what I’ve seen, are fair chase and ethical for the most part. Feel free to give your honest opinion.

@WilhelmM
I can't comment based on personal meeting with the man but the PH I hunted with had guided him and one of his daughter's and film crew a few times. He found him overbearing, arrogant and obnoxious. Yes he had a show to produce but as he said a bit of politeness would have been good. Out of politeness and no first hand experience I will not say what the daughter was called behind her back.
I have read one of his books and it was very informative if a bit dry buy still a good read.
Bob

 

[Firebird]

I have most of his books and enjoy his hunting shows. Nothing bad to say about the guy.
Reading your question got me to thinking what people would say about me when prompted. Pretty sure it would be a surprising mix of things I probably don’t even know about myself. . .

 

[WilhelmM]

@WilhelmM
I can't comment based on personal meeting with the man but the PH I hunted with had guided him and one of his daughter's and film crew a few times. He found him overbearing, arrogant and obnoxious. Yes he had a show to produce but as he said a bit of politeness would have been good. Out of politeness and no first hand experience I will not say what the daughter was called behind her back.
I have read one of his books and it was very informative if a bit dry buy still a good read.
Bob

Well, Bob, considering how polite you are if you have something negative to say then I'm going to take it seriously lol. However, the PH may have just had a particularly bad experience with the man considering a lot of other people here have nothing but positive things to say. I can't say definitively though as I've never met the man.

 

[LivingTheDream]

This thread is going to go downhill quickly. I would read the other thread Brickburn posted.

I have first hand experience with him. I will leave my opinion to myself, there have been a few true things said on this thread and some laughable.

Have fun with this one.

 

[WilhelmM]

This thread is going to go downhill quickly. I would read the other thread Brickburn posted.

I have first hand experience with him. I will leave my opinion to myself, there have been a few true things said on this thread and some laughable.

Have fun with this one.

I crave adventure lol

 

[LivingTheDream]

I crave adventure lol

Lol...you might want to start a thread on peoples thoughts on Captive Breed Lion hunts or DGX bullets.

 

[WilhelmM]

Lol...you might want to start a thread on peoples thoughts on CB Lion hunts or DGX bullets.

The DGX debate is one of my favourties. A real classic.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well, Bob, considering how polite you are if you have something negative to say then I'm going to take it seriously lol. However, the PH may have just had a particularly bad experience with the man considering a lot of other people here have nothing but positive things to say. I can't say definitively though as I've never met the man.

@WilhelmM
The particular PH guided him twice and it was the same both times. I could be just the stress of producing a show.
I don't know so c ant actually comment until I meet the man.
The argument about being a military man on a mission doesn't cut it in my book. My father was a 30 year man and didn't suffer fools lightly but never called them out publicly. Politeness wether in the military or civvie street will always accomplish more than rudeness wether a CO or a lowly OR.
Bob

 

[mikecatt13]

I’m on page 2 of the thread so far and the accusations (I emphasize accusations as they’re not honest questions) are rather ugly, to be honest. I’ve never met Boddington, bought any of his products or followed him for a considerably long time, but people seem to have an agenda in mind when criticizing him which I find to be perplexing. Maybe he’s deserving of it, who knows, but I’m seriously unimpressed by a lot of the comments made on the thread.

I'm not going to read past page 2 of that 25 page thread because then I'll have to finish it lol. But to your point, jealousy is an awful thing, especially when it comes to money and the things it buys. If he was some tech billionaire or fortune 500 CEO, would people question how he paid for so many safaris? IMO, the root of any predisposition lies with that a military career is seen to most as a "normal" job, as far as income level. So some folks that also have "normal" jobs but cant afford 100 safaris will throw accusations of wrongdoing first... No consideration for other businesses someone may have, inheritance, investments, etc. Heres one for you: what if he bought all the hunts with sponsor money and they were probably discounted (but not free) for the exposure for the outfitter? If that's the case, they were paid for (so that claim holds true) and his salary (high or low) wouldnt be to much effect because his "normal income" wasnt what bought them.

I admittedly know nothing about his finances or care, and somewhat doubt that I could find cold hard facts to give me that info if I did want it. IF the man had shady dealings, lied about taking free hunts, or anything of the sort than shame on him and what goes around comes around but theres a good chance none of us have access to proper info (almost anything short of bank statements is just speculation) to justifiably make that judgement...

Maybe a bit of a rant, but this type of thing is a pet peeve of mine. Any and every entrepreneur probably feels the same way because theyve probably lost count how many (jealous) people have told them how they were lucky, how wealthy they are, how easy their business is, etc and dont see the true work, margins, bills, etc.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I will stand by Brickburn, do your homework, it may have nothing to do with hunting! After reading this post I am surprised a certain subject has not raised it's ugly head. Personally I am not judging the man. I have met the man seems like a nice guy. One thing is for sure he is a very prolific firearm/hunting writer.

The one persons opinion I would really like to hear on this is Red Legs, personally I am not in a position to offer one on a certain subject.

 

[Ragman]

I’m fairly neutral on the man. I started reading his stuff as a very young enthusiastic hunter and he really got my excitement for Africa going. Then the TV shows came along when I was older. I still love to watch these as they are still nearly alway international destinations and the amount of whitetail hunting shows are very tiring. However, and it could be pure jealousy here, to me he doesn’t come across as being thrilled to be where he happens to be hunting or excited any time he gets an animal that a regular guy like me would be over the moon to shoot. But maybe I’d get that way if I hunted for a living too. The bankruptcy part was definitely disappointing to read as well.
However he is high up on the list of writers that lit the Africa flame in me. Don’t know if I’ll make it back, but I’m fortunate to have hunted there twice in two countries and he shares some of the credit for that.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

One consideration I have not seen above - the guy is a life-long jarhead - I imagine he doesn't suffer fools well - not being ugly to you lads, but a warrior works on different wavelengths than civilians do - fixed on a mission/sense of task to accomplish/move out smartly and get your mission accomplished - I have had the same issue with civilians - many cannot handle the intensity/focus. Perhaps he was on a mission when you came to chat him up?

I met him when he and Art Alphin were finishing the A-Square reloading manual. Just a drive-by intro as I was cracking the whip on the ammo production line.

He came to the KC SCI show and did book signings several years ago. Seemed to remember me at least a little, or was at least polite enough to act like it. We got on pretty well as we could discuss the Korean War I was covering in high school history at the time.

Another aspect no one has recognized - the guy was breveted to one star - and even as an O-6 - you are in the playing field of everyone that comes to see you wants something. Add in being a TV "Star" and I could imagine he is sick to death of us excited knuckleheads tackling him to get a rub-off of his magic/famous hunting dust on us.

Summary - I have no negative to share about him, have had two fleeting positive meetings and hope you all will cut him some slack. He has done a metric boatload of good ambassadorship for the hunting world.

Rather than dig for anything negative, rather acknowledge the huge life achievements of Boddington. Of course he has to play the tune of his sponsors! But the thing I like him most for is how his daughters turned out, they are great hunters.
As an aside, I got the impression from posts that Hornady had fixed all their ptoblems and the DGX in particular was now ok? If that is indeed so it is a bit unfair to keep dragging them through the mud isn't it?

 

[npm352]

He is the most prominent living hunting writer alive. He is also a self-made man and was a Marine. I respect him and read anything I can written by him.