Haven't been seeing the usual head bobbing, never say a bad word about a gun maker or scope company that pays you to say nice things, writes the same stuff every article - guy we all know and love.

Is he retired or did the world get wise to his Jedi mind tricks???

If they are paying him, why should he say anything negative?

Saw some recent pics of him at a Benelli trade show in NYC. He was fondling a Chapuis double.

I know he was at a local sci chapter as a guess host of some kind. Never saw what it ended at but the breakfast with him they were selling had no bids like the other items going into the auction.

Never got why he was so special really

Saw him at the DSC in January. He had a booth at the event.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
If they are paying him, why should he say anything negative?

True, but he rarely says anything but rainbows and unicorns.... just in case he can drum up a sponsor or two or get a free ball cap

Talked with him at Nashville. It was really nice, I’ve always looked up to him and enjoy all of writings.

He was at SCI in Nashville. He was sold out of books.

Always thought of him as a positive member of our community.

Me too Saeed.

I saw him at the ZDS booth in Nashville.

He was until he was driven off of AR by a few belittling shitheads, who kept at him until he finally left. This has happened before with other celebrities. And then there are other celebrities who are smart enough to know not to join or get on AR at all. I can't really figure it out, as everyone has faults and I would say to you all-anyone without faults and weaknesses cast the first stone. But I get it, as many can certainly hide their faults and weaknesses pretty well here on AR until they decide to go after someone. Then their littleness, immaturity and pettiness is revealed. We still have too much of it going on here on AR. I actually discussed his leaving AR a number of years ago with him at one of the trade shows and he personally told me that the AR crowd was one tough group of folks. With that being said, when I talked with him, he never had one single negative thing to say about AR or anyone here on AR. And yes, Saeed is absolutely correct. Very sad that we lost his contributions.

I know he recently donated his trophies to a museum in Kansas and they're bringing in school kids to look at them and be shown hunting in a good light.

He also was at a women's hunting school in Texas where they were showing the attendees what goes into hunting, from simple gun care to cleaning and butchering game.

In other words, he has been going about his business, behaving like a gentleman and supporting his interests and potentially bringing new hunters into the fold.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
He was until he was driven off of AR by a few shitheads, who kept at him until he finally left. This has happened before with other celebrities. Others of them are also smart enough to know not to join or get on AR. I can't really figure it out, as everyone has faults-you without faults and weaknesses cast the first stone. But I get it, as you can certainly hide yourselves pretty well here on AR. I actually discussed his leaving AR a number of years ago at one of the trade shows and he personally told that the AR crowd was one tough group of folks. With that being said, he never had anything negative to say about AR. And yes, Saeed is correct. Sad that we lost his contributions.

He got upset when one of his employees decided to become an idiot and get into arguments with members here.

He was the one selling his used shirts.

I remember very clearly that little nincompoop calling us old ladies.

He got what he deserved, and the backlash wasn’t very positive toward Boddington.

He asked why was this allowed to go on the forums, and I told him he is free to post anything he wished, as everyone else is.

That was what happened.

Again, he did not do anything wrong, it that little idiot got him into hot water.

He should have slapped him!

Instead of complaining about what other members posted.

Saeed: Yes, I remember that very well. Thanks for the additional information. A word to the wise-control those that you have control over-including yourselves. Still sad that he left.

I really cannot understand some say AR is hard to Participate on.

Nothing of the sort.

Buzz CHARLTON is a perfect example.

He got into a huff because members complained about his behavior, and his new policies!

Instead of realizing his mistakes, and making good on them, he blamed everyone else!

Basically if you are thin skinned, and cannot look in the mirror and see yourself as you are, stay away from AR!

Boddington is a nice guy but several times when I met him and talked to him, he thinks he knows it all and that is problem with most of us unless we realize we don’t know it all and we always learn ( if we want to )
Same goes for the outfitters/operators/PH’s as they can always learn from some of the more experienced hunters as well

Understand the criticism about gun writers only writing good things about industry sponsors. Although unfortunately Boddington is not an exception, he is not as bad as many others.

Regardless of one’s personal opinion of the man as a writer, his books and videos on African DG hunting and DGRs obviously reflect significant knowledge and experience.

For my part, reading and seeing his experience and recommendations on buffalo and elephant hunting was very helpful prep.

I doubt more than one handful of ‘experts’ on this or any of the other African hunting forums have had 1/2 the experience Boddington has had.

Never met the man nor do I expect to ever do so. However, pet peeves and grinding axes online reveals much about the critics’ characters than about their target.

Rant over. Carry on.

I’ve been to events where he has spoken.

Never really talked with him.

Part of the problem for folks like him is that by not saying anything negative about potential advertisers is that it makes his opinions not as valuable to the audience. That is what is killing the sporting press… the content is essentially advertising, and folks are not willing to pay to access ads.

I enjoy some of Boddington’s work, and have brought some of his videos and books. I enjoyed his intro to Safari class that he put on at SCI conventions, although I was past the point by the time I saw it.

I think he’s a decent writer with a lot of experience. Unfortunately to me, his experience as a media type doesn’t exactly correlate with my experience as a full fare paying hunter, enough so that paying $20-50 for a book is reasonable; but I don’t see the value added to pay a premium to hunt with him.

I have talked with him a few times, met him once and have several of his books. I thought he was a nice person when I met him and have enjoyed his books.

Agree that more critical honest reviews - good and bad - by gun/hunting writers would add great value for regular paying hunters like us.

I’ve never seen any reason to book ‘celebrity’ hunts. IMO that’s a gimmick.

We all know that an established, reliable outfitter and an experienced PH hunting the right area are the critical elements to a great hunt.

quote:

he thinks he knows it all and that is problem with most of us unless we realize we don’t know it all and we always learn ( if we want to )

I believe that Boddington has been on between 125 and 150 African Safaris, so I would personally cut him some slack on that one. However, with that being said, that phrase can be applicable to almost anyone who has been on ONE African Safari. Just ask them after they return.

I have read many of his books and articles. He is a hunter who writes as versus a writer who hunts(Hemingway, Ruark, McIntyre, Wieland). He has more hunting experience than anyone here besides the PHs. Nevertheless, gun writers are part of the industry and survive through the largesse of the manufacturers. I do not begrudge Boddington for recognizing that truth.

He does repeat himself. How many articles can you write on the 30:06? To me, gun writers are like baseball announcers, able to keep talking when nothing is going on!

Just bear in mind that these writers are an essential part of an industry whose goal is to sell you guns and ammo and a lot more.

drongo, I agree with your clear summary. Also, when I first got into buffalo hunting I referred to his video and found it very helpful. I think that he offers a lot to beginner like me. He is an excellent ambassador/emissary for hunting/shooting.

My only first hand experience with him was at a SCI show in Charlotte NC. He was a perfect gentleman with my son who has autism. We bought a book and he signed. He made my son's day and that is something that I treasure today.

One simply cannot be a credible critic, or practice and permit free speech regarding any matter, if he relies or depends for income on those he purports to criticize.

I am not picking on Mr. Boddington, but rather just stating a fact, and also by the way praising AR.

AR is a great source of information on firearms, hunting and related subjects because our host refuses to accept paid advertising and play favorites based on who pays him.

This is not for lack of opportunity. You can be sure about that.

I am certain that many would willingly pay Saeed for advertising on this site. Paid advertising in any medium is simply protection money, and Saeed refuses to accept it.

If those who take protection money in any commercial matter want to be even marginally ethical about it, the only thing they can do when evaluating or permitting evaluation of bad products or poor services is to say nothing directly critical and ban third party criticism.

Those who are not ethical will take the money and heap praise on bad products and extol poor service. If they control the medium, they will permit others to do the same and ban any criticism of such things.

Anybody besides me ever buy a Motor Trend car of the year and regretted it later?

Thanks to Saeed for keeping this great site free from such corruption.

I am sure Mr. Boddington walks the line carefully, and again, I am not picking on him in particular.

I found he was a pretty good guy to hang around in camp with

I don't see any good reasons for running down Mr. Boddington especially since he is not here to respond. He has treated me with kindness and respect the few times that I chatted with him over the years. Also, Mr. Boddington has and still does a lot of good things for the hunting industry. If you don't like his writing or the companies he works for, then don't read it or purchase their products. Too easy.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
One simply cannot be a credible critic, or practice and permit free speech regarding any matter, if he relies or depends for income on those he purports to criticize.

I am not picking on Mr. Boddington, but rather just stating a fact, and also by the way praising AR.

AR is a great source of information on firearms, hunting and related subjects because our host refuses to accept paid advertising and play favorites based on who pays him.

This is not for lack of opportunity. You can be sure about that.

I am certain that many would willingly pay Saeed for advertising on this site. Paid advertising in any medium is simply protection money, and Saeed refuses to accept it.

If those who take protection money in any commercial matter want to be even marginally ethical about it, the only thing they can do when evaluating or permitting evaluation of bad products or poor services is to say nothing directly critical and ban third party criticism.

Those who are not ethical will take the money and heap praise on bad products and extol poor service. If they control the medium, they will permit others to do the same and ban any criticism of such things.

Anybody besides me ever buy a Motor Trend car of the year and regretted it later?

Thanks to Saeed for keeping this great site free from such corruption.

I am sure Mr. Boddington walks the line carefully, and again, I am not picking on him in particular.

I enjoyed his books.

But at the end of the day, I won't believe anyone being PAID to tell me what he does.

SCI PH Of The Year comes to mind.

They only get that prize because they give free hunts to member of the SCI "government" .

And look how many have turned out to be just as crooked as the ones they bribe to give them the prize in the first place!

"Money for nothing!"??

Never works!

I shared a buff camp with Craig and Donna in Uganda. We had some great conversations around the Karamoja evening fire.
He's forgotten more about guns and ammo than most of us will ever know.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajay:
I shared a buff camp with Craig and Donna in Uganda. We had some great conversations around the Karamoja evening fire.
He's forgotten more about guns and ammo than most of us will ever know.

I believe you are right.

But, when a person devotes his life to being a paid advertisement, the shine tends to become rather rusty.

My only two issues were 1) his fake marine/office mate Miller that somehow supposedly successfully fooled USMC General Boddington about his service and valor decorations for years and testified under oath that Craig knew he'd never served been in the military at all, but was actually an investor in his company (CA Rigby).

2) The article he wrote serval year back calling for ammo companies to discontinue production of several different calibers. It was discussed here as to why in the world anyone in the hunting/firearms community would use their position to attempt to actively harm other hunters and he came on and basically said, yeah, I don't really mean any of that, but I get paid to sell copy and sometimes you've got to fire people up (summarizing here). He then deleted that response to me and I did not screen shot it. That didn't do his credibility any good and is basically the print equivalent of trolling, something that thankfully isn't tolerated on AR. He vanished after that and the bizarre attempted shirt sale by someone else. The guy has writtenliterally thousands of articles so I'm not going to hold a grudge over one I didn't like and I assume he knows every article will upset someone out there. He would be a valuable asset to have on AR.

I get that the man writes for a living, and has to even when there may not be a lot to write about (baseball announcer analogy was apt) or when someone is waving a stack of cash and asking for a particular angle on a given subject. I certainly do not begrudge him for it AT ALL and have enjoyed some of his books, but I skip his articles these days (every issue of every hunting mag has at least one) because I've read them all.

I don't think discussing those issue is disrespectful in any way, shape, or form, as credibility is the essential stock and trade of any writer, and I too assume every article is a paid product placement. He has tons of experience and may well be a gentleman of the first sort, but I think it was more of an issue of him leaving AR than a torch wielding mob running him off.

I like Boddington, and have probably read his "Safari Rifles" three times. He once helped my daughter make a flight in British Columbia, and when he noticed she was using a target she had shot with my .375 as a bookmark, struck up a conversation about hunting and firearms with her that she thoroughly enjoyed.
Once a hunter or shooter gets published and finds he or she likes the check, it can lead to becoming a paid staff writer given assignments by the editor -- and sometimes the story ideas are pretty lame. You can either write the story or walk.
I like to think Seyfried is one who has chosen to walk more than once, but do not begrudge Boddington deciding he wants the paycheck.
I wish the gentleman well.

My consternation with Col. Boddington (never a general) was after following him into a camp in Zambia a number of years ago.

The following was told to me by the outfitter. He was there to hunt sitatunga and to film a promo for Trijicon scopes. He had daughter Brittany in tow.
At the range to check the rifles, the Trijicon scope failed. I was told a back up was installed and it failed as well. He then asked the operator if they could borrow a scope - a Leupold. They then taped over the gold ring for the hunting sequences on film. When the successful shots were made, the smiling shooter was touting the Trijicon as being a wonderful piece of optics.

Further, part of that deal was to trade part of the hunt for two California Rigby rifles - one a bolt gun and the other a double. The outfitter was partly unaware of what he was getting thinking "Rigby" was the magic word for a superb piece of equipment. He tested both rifles. The bolt gun shot well enough. The double missed targets completely at 50 yds. The outfitter did not know the difference between a true Rigby and the California variety.
I do not know what role Boddington had in the California Rigby failure but he was involved.

Further yet, I booked a lot of hunts through a well known and well respected agent over the years. Awhile back I asked about the endorsement game and the TV show game. He told me that he is frequently approached by celebrities for free hunts in return for endorsements. He always turns them down. I truly struggle with this from a credibility standpoint. Endorsements mean nothing to me. References from people who actually go on a paid for hunt means more to me. I lump Shockey, Boddington and many others in this category. If you recall, the Boddington on Buffalo DVD was excellent. However, in the course of watching it, you would see adverts for Dakota rifles, Swift bullets/ammo, and I believe Swarovski scopes as well as the hunting outfit he was with (Chifuti). I get it. But should he not say - "This DVD is sponsored by Dakota, Swift, Swarovski and Andrew Dawson of Chifuti Outfitters. I am a paid endorser for these products and services." I never hear a celebrity say - I would use this gun/bullet/optic if I was not being paid to do this. This is what I would spend my own money on. But you never do.

This is not a critique of that DVD or the info. All of the products endorsed on that DVD are solid and I use them. Even though Dakota is out of business, the early rifles are very good.

Shockey frequently said that "my life depends on this (product)". Really Jim? He is a long time endorser of Leupold. I get it. Good optics. But not great. If he were paying for his hunt or was not a paid endorser, what would he hunt with? What brands? You will never know.

A long time ago, I fell for the "German engineering" trap on cars. I bought one. I bought a Volvo also. Both were mechanically ok, but not great. Expensive to repair and maintain. I switched to Toyota and Honda - no issues. Frankly Toyota is impressive. I would not own another German built car... too complicated and too expensive to maintain.

I have no axe to grind with a celebrity. It is his/her way of making money. In today's vernacular, he would be called an "influencer". I really don't like that term as it implies manipulation to me, but I am an old guy that does not believe 90% of what people say... Been bit too many times.

I lean on and listen for people with extreme credibility. Peter Flack comes to mind. If you want the unsullied, unvarnished truth on African hunting or ethics or governments, Peter will tell it straight. I guess I compare Boddington, with experience, to a Peter and he always comes up short. Character triumphs in my book and my life.

Anyway, this is back drop for my post.

I am like many of you. I could care less what a paid endorser says. I pay no attention to it at all.

I feel sorry for him. To have a bankruptcy at his age, at any age for that matter, is tough. He also had the heart attack.

I do remember seeing him at both DSC and SCI. Beyond that, I do not recall.

quote:

Col. Boddington (never a general)

I'd forgotten about that one. Bizarre. He wore 1-star rank in the ME but was never promoted beyond Col. He said it was all a misunderstanding but the marines did an investigation, gave him an official reprimand (a career kiss of death for sure at that level), then he was retired as I understand it. Has nothing to do with his writing or hunting, but strange, though I still respect the fact that he chose to become a marine in the first place.

EDIT: To add, I understand he was in the marine corp reserve, and like the national guard they do have some strange and confusing rules regarding rank, federal recognition of that rank, where it applies while approvals are pending, etc, so I cut him some slack, but man, you've got to be really really certain of everything you do at that level or you can easily torpedo a long career.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
My consternation with Col. Boddington (never a general) was after following him into a camp in Zambia a number of years ago.

He was there to hunt sitatunga and to film a promo for Trijicon scopes. He had daughter Brittany in tow.
At the range to check the rifles, the Trijicon scope failed. I believe a back up was installed and it failed as well. He then asked the operator if they could borrow a scope - a Leupold. They then taped over the gold ring for the hunting sequences on film. When the successful shots were made, the smiling shooter was touting the Trijicon as being a wonderful piece of optics.

Further, part of that deal was to trade part of the hunt for two California Rigby rifles - one a bolt gun and the other a double. The outfitter was partly unaware of what he was getting thinking "Rigby" was the magic word for a superb piece of equipment. We tested both rifles. The bolt gun shot well enough. The double missed targets completely at 50 yds. The outfitter did not know the difference between a true Rigby and the California variety.
I do not know what role Boddington had in the California Rigby failure but he was involved.

Further yet, I booked a lot of hunts through a well known and well respected agent over the years. Awhile back I asked about the endorsement game and the TV show game. He told me that he is frequently approached by celebrities for free hunts in return for endorsements. He always turns them down. I truly struggle with this from a credibility standpoint. Endorsements mean nothing to me. References from people who actually go on a paid for hunt means more to me. I lump Shockey, Boddington and many others in this category. If you recall, the Boddington on Buffalo DVD was excellent. However, in the course of watching it, you would see adverts for Dakota rifles, Swift bullets/ammo, and I believe Swarovski scopes as well as the hunting outfit he was with (Chifuti). I get it. But should he not say - "This DVD is sponsored by Dakota, Swift, Swarovski and Andrew Dawson of Chifuti Outfitters. I am a paid endorser for these products and services." I never hear a celebrity say - I would use this gun/bullet/optic if I was not being paid to do this. This is what I would spend my own money on. But you never do.

This is not a critique of that DVD or the info. All of the products endorsed on that DVD are solid and I use them. Even though Dakota is out of business, the early rifles are very good.

Shockey frequently said that "my life depends on this (product)". Really Jim? He is a long time endorser of Leupold. I get it. Good optics. But not great. If he were paying for his hunt or was not a paid endorser, what would he hunt with? What brands? You will never know.

A long time ago, I fell for the "German engineering" trap on cars. I bought one. I bought a Volvo also. Both were mechanically ok, but not great. Expensive to repair and maintain. I switched to Toyota and Honda - no issues. Frankly Toyota is impressive. I would not own another German built car... too complicated and too expensive to maintain.

I have no axe to grind with a celebrity. It is his/her way of making money. In today's vernacular, he would be called an "influencer". I really don't like that term as it implies manipulation to me, but I am an old guy that does not believe 90% of what people say... Been bit too many times.

I lean on and listen for people with extreme credibility. Peter Flack comes to mind. If you want the unsullied, unvarnished truth on African hunting or ethics or governments, Peter will tell it straight. I guess I compare Boddington, with experience, to a Peter and he always comes up short. Character triumphs in my book and my life.

Anyway, this is back drop for my post.

A few comments:

1. If you are paid to endorse a product (in kind or directly) the FTC requires you to acknowledge that - in the outdoor world, this is widely ignored. But note that Lindsay Lohan and others were recently fined for endorsing Crypto without acknowledging they were paid to do so.
2. I thought Boddington got a raw deal with his promo to Gen, but then again, I thought using his rank in his byline was inappropriate - I did some consulting when I was an Army captain and consulted JAG about it. Their response was I could do the consulting but had to use "military officer" only - no rank was allowed to be published if I stood to gain monetarily.
3. Re: the Trijicon deal...if you are paid to endorse a product, you cannot endorse Product A but then use Product B. So taping the Leupold ring was understandable.
4. Boddington has certainly hunted a lot, but the fact he declared BK and walked away from $2 million in debt negates that accomplishment. How much hunting could we all have done if we could spend $2 million of other people's money?
5. I do like his writing for the most part, except for overusing the words "lovely" and "great prizes" although I haven't seen those words used much lately.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajay:
I shared a buff camp with Craig and Donna in Uganda. We had some great conversations around the Karamoja evening fire.
He's forgotten more about guns and ammo than most of us will ever know.

.

Exactly!!! I have spent time with him and Donna in Burkina and I totally second what Jay said. For all the hunting he has done he was very humble and didn't exert his opinion or views on anything and was happy to let the hunt proceed as was planned. Which by the way was the same as any other hunt, no special arrangements whatsoever.

I don't understand the Boddington bashing sport!!! Shit happens and things can go wrong on a photo shoot, but as they say the show must go on! Trijicon scopes, Swift bullets are loved by many. How are companies going to sell their wares if someone doesn't write positively about them and make people aware of the latest and greatest product out there. And if you detest writers then one should stop reading magazines or books! Or read reviews on cars or restaurants or anything else under the sun!

Rigby rifles have gone through many owners hands over the years. While the CA Rigbys are not looked up on highly. They are also a part of the Rigby story and I see that the outfitter as per the original post got a genuine Rigby rifle. Perhaps he was expecting an English rigby but that's a different discussion!

From what I know Peter Flack was a banker who wrote about his personal hunting experiences, I doubt he has the same experience that Boddington has and we are not talking about just Africa. Boddington has won the Weatherby Award. I remember him telling me that while there is no set number to win the Weatherby Award, but no one who has taken less than some 300+ species (not number) of big game animals has won it + there is other criteria also. Stop for a minute and count all the species you have shot and you will quickly feel pretty insignificant! I have other friends who have also won the Weatherby Award but they did / afforded it with their BIG money. Boddington did it with writing stories and being in the Army! That in itself is a commendable feat! And let me tell you being in the business myself as a booking agent you may get a break here or there but no one gives you free hunts, at least not enough to win a Weatherby Award !

And its also not just about the money but the determination and perseverance to hunt far flung places all over the world, under all sorts of conditions. Many times more than once. Truly a life time's passion and dedication and with that comes other compromises such as divorce, health and bankruptcy if all true!

Nothing to see here move along..........

Taping over the Leupold ring because one is paid by a competitor is just plain disgusting!

Yuk!

Never met the guy and I would not comment on his character or history if he was not a participant here.

I was recently scrutinized on the AH site and could not reply or comment. We all have skeletons in our cupboards but the so-called celebrities tend to get bashed more than most.

I was with Jim Shockey in camp and he had a role to play for his sponsors and acted accordingly. Otherwise a good hunter and pleasant to be around.

I think a major point is what one chooses to be in public.

Those who are paid sometimes lose touch with reality - as in taping a Leupold ring so it does not show.

Or be a complete idiot like Mark Sullivan who somehow got it into his own thick head that he is better than anyone else.

If you portray yourself in anyway in public, don’t be surprised when reality bites back!