I just got this e-mail from Safari Classics Productions. Wish I could help. I apologize if this is the wrong place to post this,but with the recent bashing of Craig Boddington, I thought it would be enlightening to my fellow AR members.

Dear friends,

As many of you are aware, my daughter Brittany was recently involved in a hunting accident while on safari in Namibia. Please allow me to let Brittany explain the accident in her words:

“In April 2009 I was in Namibia, hunting leopard with hounds with PH Nic Kruger at Omujeve Safaris. We were on a very aggressive leopard in terribly thick cover. We pulled off to water the dogs, expecting the leopard to move off--hopefully into better ground. When we went back in the leopard was prepared, but we were not. While our dog handlers were trying to pick up the scent the leopard ambushed us. I was walking behind Nic when I heard his first shot go off, but in an instant the cat had jumped over the first dog handler and onto our chief dog handler, Punki, now laying down in tall grass. Unfortunately I didn't see this, and there was no time for instructions. I stepped around Nic, and saw the cat thrashing in the grass, I assumed it was because it was wounded and not because it was chewing on Punki. I thought I had a clear view of the cat, and fired. The leopard had chewed Punki’s ankle and bit through the leather belt on his hip but jumped off after my shot,
unfortunately I was a few inches low and he was struck by the bullet. The whole incident lasted less than three insane and most regrettable seconds. Thanks to superb first aid and fast evacuation Punki is recovering at an amazing rate, but his medical bills are extreme. Punki is one of the most experienced leopard hunters in southern Africa, with 25 years experience with his hounds. I have established the "Punki Recovery Fund," and the proceeds of this auction will go to continue to provide Punki with the best medical care available.”

I personally have also hunted with Punki in the past and know him to be both a courageous and skilled hunter. In order to help fund the enormous medical bills associated with the recovery and rehabilitation of this good man, I have teamed up with some good friends in the industry to develop two exciting safaris with the entire proceeds dedicated to the Punki Recovery Fund. These two safaris will be awarded on a sealed bid auction with the winning bidders determined on July 15, 2009. Here are descriptions of the two safaris:

SAFARI ITEM # 1

NYATI SAFARIS AND CRAIG BODDINGTON
7-DAY CAPE BUFFALO SAFARI (COUTADA 14-MOZAMBIQUE)
AND
RIGBY .500 NE DOUBLE RIFLE WITH HORNADY AMMUNITION

This is a 7-day Cape buffalo safari in Mozambique's famed Coutada 14, in the Marromeu Delta, generously donated by Nyati Safaris. This hunt is for one hunter and one observer. Plains game available subject to quota and trophy fees. You will be using your newly refinished Rigby .500 boxlock NE, 24” barrels with a straight stock, suitable for left or right handed shooters, donated by Craig Boddington. For your hunt, Hornady has donated 100 rounds of .500 NE ammunition. This hunt will be filmed for TRACK ACROSS AFRICA on The Outdoor Channel, with show host Craig Boddington in attendance.

Safari may be taken based on available dates in 2010. Nyati Safaris recommends September-November, with October the ideal month.

Not included in the package is: transportation to and from Beira, Mozambique, and for air charter (approx. $2000) from Beira to and from camp and other plains game is available and subject to quota and trophy fees.

VALUE: $42,500

MINIMIM BID: $20,000



SAFARI ITEM # 2

Omujeve Hunting Safaris Namibia, Reiser Taxidermy and Tracks Across Africa LEOPARD WITH DOGS IN NAMIBIA
14 days 1x1, 1 HUNTER AND 1 OBSERVER


Enjoy one of Africa’s most exciting and successful leopard hunts in central Namibia with Omujeve Safaris. You will follow one of the finest packs of hounds in pursuit of the large Tom leopards that Namibia is noted for. This hunt will be filmed for TRACK ACROSS AFRICA on The Outdoor Channel, with show host Craig Boddington in attendance. Plains game available at trophy fees per Omujeve price list. Reiser Taxidermy in Windhoek, Namibia has generously included a LIFE-SIZE MOUNT of your leopard and SHIPPING to the U.S. is included.
Safari may be taken on available dates in 2010; Omujeve recommends 14-day period in April through June as the ideal time. Not included in this package is transportation to and from Windhoek, Namibia and additional plains game subject to normal trophy fees. Visit Omujeve Safaris website at www.omujevesafaris.com for additional information on their operation.

VALUE: $35,000

MINIMIM BID: $15,000

The process for submitting a sealed bid for these packages is very simple. Each bid must contain the following:

1) Your name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address
2) Indicate the item you are bidding on (either safari #1 or #2)
3) Your bid amount

This sealed bid should be mailed to the following address:

Safari Classics Productions
ATTN: PUNKI RECOVERY FUND
5206 McKinney Avenue, Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75205

Your sealed bid must be received no later than July 15, 2009. If you are the winning bidder, you will be contacted immediately. Your full payment will be due within 10 days.

For more information, you can e-mail me directly at craigboddington@mac.com or call Safari Classics at (214) 360-9599.

Many thanks to all of you for your support of this fine man.

Craig Boddington