quote:

My only real issue with Col. Boddington is the one that AAZW points out.

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Originally posted by LHeym500:
My Wife and I pissed off that Ted Nugget wanna be once.

We were at a shoot for CZ. He was sponsored by CZ. He had just done a buffalo and hippo Safari with a 10mm. I was not a fan of his presentation.

He became very agitated when we did not show the appropriate amount of wonder. Razor Dobbs maybe?

I thought we were being polite. What am I suppose to do. Offer Wife to you for the night for killing a Cape buffalo in South Africa with a 10mm.

Folks say he is a nice guy.

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Originally posted by lavaca:
This thread has become a shit show. I'm done. Craig is a good guy. Out!

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Originally posted by fairgame:

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Originally posted by Saeed:

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Originally posted by fairgame:

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

Leupold is a really good scope. No frills and practical.

I use Leupold on my own rifles.

And I don’t get paid!

I came across a couple of scopes last couple of years that required some sort of qualification to operate them and standing behind a bloke who is twiddling knobs and checking notes sort of took the varnish of hunting.

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Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:

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My only real issue with Col. Boddington is the one that AAZW points out.

Crbutler, commenting on all paid writers in general I totally agree. If they disclose that the following article about a whitetail hunt is a paid for advertisement of the ACME Ammo and Rifle Co I've got zero issue. It's when they dance around or hide the subject and pretend to be just a good'ol boy telling a campfire story when they're actually a used car saleman who'd unplug his grandma's iron lung for a nickel that I'm bothered.

And it can still be very effective. I clearly remember a Honda ATV ad by Ross Seyfried from at least +25 years back when he bought his long since sold ranch in OR. It was 2-3 pages of very fine print with the Honda logo at the top and bottom of each page, so no doubt a paid ad, and of course wasn't listed on the table of contents as an article! He told the story of trying to improve elk habitat by repairing cattle damage, restoring wetlands and stream beds, bringing back the bugs and foxes and fish and raptors, etc. General ranch work stuff, and the Honda XYZ Super 500cc Extra Awesome ATV was mentioned by its full name throughout, but the story itself was interesting and helped the reader envision how the product might fit into their life without the insult of pretending to not be an ad.

It'll never happen of course, as EVERY article would have some sort of disclaimer such as this is only published because the scope and rifle maker finally agreed to purchase $10k of ads in this month's issue and the outfitter gave the hunt for free in exchange for our promise to only say nice things about him and to edit out any negatives. But I can dream!

And this is why free speech at places such as AR are so valuable. People can provide honest feedback. Stuff goes wrong all the time on hunts, some beyond the outfitter's control, and every manufacturer of every product lets a few lemons slip out the door once in a while or maybe has an item damaged by a careless shipper, but I'm always especially interested in how an outfitter or company responds when that happens. The companies that shine then are the ones I want to spend my money with even if it costs more, but we have to hear about the bad in the first place to make those decisions.

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Originally posted by larryshores:
I don’t get the reaction of many to hunting celebrities, PHs , etc. People they have never met.

Let me give you an example. In January, we did a donated hunt at my ranch . Ivan Carter was there . The guy who bought it was a very nice guy. However , when it came to talking to Ivan, he was terrified . He could hardly talk. He even went as far as saying Ivan was his hero.

Now Ivan is a great guy to be sure . However , the reaction to him was baffling to me.

Anyone who buys something based on something a paid endorser says is an idiot . Sorry to be so blunt .

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Originally posted by drongo:

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Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:

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My only real issue with Col. Boddington is the one that AAZW points out.

Crbutler, commenting on all paid writers in general I totally agree. If they disclose that the following article about a whitetail hunt is a paid for advertisement of the ACME Ammo and Rifle Co I've got zero issue. It's when they dance around or hide the subject and pretend to be just a good'ol boy telling a campfire story when they're actually a used car saleman who'd unplug his grandma's iron lung for a nickel that I'm bothered.

And it can still be very effective. I clearly remember a Honda ATV ad by Ross Seyfried from at least +25 years back when he bought his long since sold ranch in OR. It was 2-3 pages of very fine print with the Honda logo at the top and bottom of each page, so no doubt a paid ad, and of course wasn't listed on the table of contents as an article! He told the story of trying to improve elk habitat by repairing cattle damage, restoring wetlands and stream beds, bringing back the bugs and foxes and fish and raptors, etc. General ranch work stuff, and the Honda XYZ Super 500cc Extra Awesome ATV was mentioned by its full name throughout, but the story itself was interesting and helped the reader envision how the product might fit into their life without the insult of pretending to not be an ad.

It'll never happen of course, as EVERY article would have some sort of disclaimer such as this is only published because the scope and rifle maker finally agreed to purchase $10k of ads in this month's issue and the outfitter gave the hunt for free in exchange for our promise to only say nice things about him and to edit out any negatives. But I can dream!

And this is why free speech at places such as AR are so valuable. People can provide honest feedback. Stuff goes wrong all the time on hunts, some beyond the outfitter's control, and every manufacturer of every product lets a few lemons slip out the door once in a while or maybe has an item damaged by a careless shipper, but I'm always especially interested in how an outfitter or company responds when that happens. The companies that shine then are the ones I want to spend my money with even if it costs more, but we have to hear about the bad in the first place to make those decisions.

If the writer describes the firearm, ammo, etc in the article (or even better: there is a sidebar on it), it is an ad! Really, they are all ads!

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Originally posted by fairgame:

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Originally posted by drongo:

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Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:

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My only real issue with Col. Boddington is the one that AAZW points out.

Crbutler, commenting on all paid writers in general I totally agree. If they disclose that the following article about a whitetail hunt is a paid for advertisement of the ACME Ammo and Rifle Co I've got zero issue. It's when they dance around or hide the subject and pretend to be just a good'ol boy telling a campfire story when they're actually a used car saleman who'd unplug his grandma's iron lung for a nickel that I'm bothered.

And it can still be very effective. I clearly remember a Honda ATV ad by Ross Seyfried from at least +25 years back when he bought his long since sold ranch in OR. It was 2-3 pages of very fine print with the Honda logo at the top and bottom of each page, so no doubt a paid ad, and of course wasn't listed on the table of contents as an article! He told the story of trying to improve elk habitat by repairing cattle damage, restoring wetlands and stream beds, bringing back the bugs and foxes and fish and raptors, etc. General ranch work stuff, and the Honda XYZ Super 500cc Extra Awesome ATV was mentioned by its full name throughout, but the story itself was interesting and helped the reader envision how the product might fit into their life without the insult of pretending to not be an ad.

It'll never happen of course, as EVERY article would have some sort of disclaimer such as this is only published because the scope and rifle maker finally agreed to purchase $10k of ads in this month's issue and the outfitter gave the hunt for free in exchange for our promise to only say nice things about him and to edit out any negatives. But I can dream!

And this is why free speech at places such as AR are so valuable. People can provide honest feedback. Stuff goes wrong all the time on hunts, some beyond the outfitter's control, and every manufacturer of every product lets a few lemons slip out the door once in a while or maybe has an item damaged by a careless shipper, but I'm always especially interested in how an outfitter or company responds when that happens. The companies that shine then are the ones I want to spend my money with even if it costs more, but we have to hear about the bad in the first place to make those decisions.

If the writer describes the firearm, ammo, etc in the article (or even better: there is a sidebar on it), it is an ad! Really, they are all ads!

When I write a hunt report it is an advertisement for me

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Originally posted by dogcat:

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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

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Originally posted by jdollar:
Has it been laundered?

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Of course, the internet killed many more print publications (Time, etc.). But good writing still commands real money: how many of you are like me and subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, whether in print or digital?

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Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I think he is a good writer, but I don't really enjoy anything he continues to write about the exact same thing. He is kind of entertaining on tv, and kind of entertaining in print. His daughter is charming, a lot of negative press has been written about her and the shooting and her night time activities. I personally don't care.

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Originally posted by K Evans:

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Of course, the internet killed many more print publications (Time, etc.). But good writing still commands real money: how many of you are like me and subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, whether in print or digital?

You are correct regarding the internet. I guess I am a dinosaur, I prefer reading my books printed in a book. In a minority, for sure.

My wife and I consider Craig and Donna friends, we've shared hunting camps and dinner tables with them over the years. Craig's writings were a large part of my decision to go on "just one" safari and to join a hunting club (DSC). I read everything he wrote, if I could find it, and went to SA in 2005, wife and I joined DSC that year as well. WE met Craig at the 2006 DSC convention in Market Hall, my wife was working at the exhibitor registration counter when Craig and his two handlers walked up. She said "Hello Red, how can I help you?', Craig responded "Hello Red, I need my badge", She asked his name and his handlers about shit...One said "don't you know who this is/" and she said "Nope". Craig got a big laugh out of that and still says my wife is is 3rd favorite redhead, after his daughter and wife. He has long since parted company with those particular handlers, good move on his part.
I think I have all of his books and I realize any product review must be done in as positive a manner as possible, but I do believe he would be pretty forthcoming if a particular product was a real turd. I know some other magazine writers that I can't say the same about...one missed a Springbok 21 times with a fairly expensive "supper accurate" rifle, It was not the shooters fault, but he gave a fairly good report in a very well respected magazine. I wouldn't have one of those rifles if one was offered to me, might have been an anomaly, but that rifle was a piece of crap.
He has acknowledged he might not be the best shot in camp, but he seems to get the job done. Pretty generous with his time and "celebrity", too. I know first hand of several instances where he has gone out of his way to meet fans and make them feel at ease (I know several others who do the same and a couple of celebrities (one mentioned in an earlier post)that seem to think fans are a nuisance, talk about biting the hand that feeds you), this past DSC convention a friend, who was very ill in the hospital wanted a signed copy of Craig's latest book and asked my wife if she would mind picking up a copy. Of course, she would get the book! She went to Craig and explained what she wanted and Craig gave her the book and wrote a very, very nice paragraph in the book for our friend (who is much better, by the way, but still not out of the woods).
Many people have made what might be bad business or personal decisions,but to me what it boils down to is what these individuals are now doing to help keep our way of life going.

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Originally posted by DCS Member:

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Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Of course, the internet killed many more print publications (Time, etc.). But good writing still commands real money: how many of you are like me and subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, whether in print or digital?

You are correct regarding the internet. I guess I am a dinosaur, I prefer reading my books printed in a book. In a minority, for sure.

My wife and I consider Craig and Donna friends, we've shared hunting camps and dinner tables with them over the years. Craig's writings were a large part of my decision to go on "just one" safari and to join a hunting club (DSC). I read everything he wrote, if I could find it, and went to SA in 2005, wife and I joined DSC that year as well. WE met Craig at the 2006 DSC convention in Market Hall, my wife was working at the exhibitor registration counter when Craig and his two handlers walked up. She said "Hello Red, how can I help you?', Craig responded "Hello Red, I need my badge", She asked his name and his handlers about shit...One said "don't you know who this is/" and she said "Nope". Craig got a big laugh out of that and still says my wife is is 3rd favorite redhead, after his daughter and wife. He has long since parted company with those particular handlers, good move on his part.
I think I have all of his books and I realize any product review must be done in as positive a manner as possible, but I do believe he would be pretty forthcoming if a particular product was a real turd. I know some other magazine writers that I can't say the same about...one missed a Springbok 21 times with a fairly expensive "supper accurate" rifle, It was not the shooters fault, but he gave a fairly good report in a very well respected magazine. I wouldn't have one of those rifles if one was offered to me, might have been an anomaly, but that rifle was a piece of crap.
He has acknowledged he might not be the best shot in camp, but he seems to get the job done. Pretty generous with his time and "celebrity", too. I know first hand of several instances where he has gone out of his way to meet fans and make them feel at ease (I know several others who do the same and a couple of celebrities (one mentioned in an earlier post)that seem to think fans are a nuisance, talk about biting the hand that feeds you), this past DSC convention a friend, who was very ill in the hospital wanted a signed copy of Craig's latest book and asked my wife if she would mind picking up a copy. Of course, she would get the book! She went to Craig and explained what she wanted and Craig gave her the book and wrote a very, very nice paragraph in the book for our friend (who is much better, by the way, but still not out of the woods).
Many people have made what might be bad business or personal decisions,but to me what it boils down to is what these individuals are now doing to help keep our way of life going.

Karl,

My experiences have been much the same. I’m rarely in awe of “celebrities.” I’ve acknowledged and nodded to him, Jim Shockey, and others at the shows. Buzz and Ivan have also been they same way, yet they are not as mainstream, but still great guys. Andrew Baldry has been great, yet doesn’t ask for recognition, but we recently learned of his plight here.

How dare I say what Mark Sullivan, Ivan Carter and others (maybe the only time Saeed and Mark Sullivan ever collaborated) did for Stu Taylor after being shot by another “celebrity.” Larry Shores also offered to manage the funds and donated a hunt, but PayPal wasn’t quite his pal. Yes, the details of that incident became murky. I donated and Sullivan and Baldry provided to me more than my dollar value. It wasn’t really expected.

Craig Boddington, regardless of his rank, is a treasure to us. I believe many are jealous of his experiences, yet he has also opened up a world many didn’t know about. Hemingway, Ruark opened doors for many. Those side notes and whatnot don’t make me want to go buy what he used. I have what I need. It’s reading about the experience, just as I do while reading the reports on AR.

Last weekend, the Park Cities Quail Coalition held a banquet. Kevin Costner was the honoree. My father, who had passed away 10 days prior, had hunted with him about 20 years ago by chance. My father was also one not to fall for celebrity fame. They talked like most of us would.

His speech was about learning to hunt and be responsible in the field. Luckily, I was seated at the front row and could turn my back to crowd during his speech, as my eyes were not dry. I doubt many others were.

Here’s a link:

https://youtu.be/ma_4IKqUqZg

He’s an actor, but some things can’t be acted.

Oh, those talking shit about Brittany need to check up.

Prayers to your friend, by the way. That’s just about the only part of this post directed your way, as we seem to eye to on most things.

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I just want to hear more about Brittany Boddington's night time activities.

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Originally posted by DCS Member:
I just read Craig Boddington’s article in the most recent Guns & Ammo. The title is “Mountain Hunting Systems.”

As author, it’s just by Craig Boddington. He doesn’t list a rank at all. Frankly, I don’t recall the last time he used his rank in a publication.

He talks about boots for mountain hunting. He listed Schnee’s, Meindle, Kennetrek, and Danner.

For rifles, he noted Blaser, Rifles, Inc,. Jarrett, and MG. I’m pretty sure Lex and Kenny have enough business already and don’t need to sponsor a hunt. They make guns that work.

As far as cartridges, the list is too long.

For optics, he noted makers from all over the world, sponsors and what works.

Honestly, this may be the first time I’ve read a magazine article of his not promoting “his” sponsored brands. I may have not paid attention, as it doesn’t matter to me, but it seemed timely and topical.

In the end, he seemed quite humble about his ability to mountain hunt. He said, without saying he’s old and fat. He never compared his training to his USMC days.

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Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Many of us on AR are in that stage of life, give or take a 2-3 of years, including me and Saeed. 70: The new 50!

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I am still 13 mentally!

Never got a day older!

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Good to see Craig is still living rent free in your head.

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Originally posted by dogcat:
I just got the latest issue of Sports Afield.
Guess what? A Boddington sighting was in it.
He wrote an often written about and a fluff piece on the best caliber for buffalo.

You can guess how the article ends.
“Well, they’re a bunch of great caliber. Pick one you shoot well staring at .375 HH or 9.3 and go up”.

Really? Wow? That was enlightening…..

BTW - he did say he liked the 450-400 3”…

I give up on him…. Please please, try something new or that is not hashed and rehashed hu dreads of times