Hit the sack and this hit me, so I had to get back up and make a post out of this.

Craig ( Col. Boddington) has gotten a lot of flack on here. The reasons escape me what people's motivations are.

However, Our Aussie buddy Bakes gave me an idea that hit me as I started to fall asleep....

This thread is a Roll Call for all of those that appreciate Craig and his presence on our chat board. I ask the moderators ( or our host Saeed) to delete any one who has to come on this thread and sling schit aboout Craig or anyone else.

Botton line, is I want to forward a message to Craig that this site is full of people that if he was able to take us up on it;

He would never ever have to buy another beer in a bar, another meal in a restaurant, or spend a night by an empty campfire as long as there are guys on this site around, that appreciate all the accomplishments he has done, all the stories he has to entertain us with, and the food for thoughts he can give us to enlighten our perspective on hunting, shooting and just enjoying our sport.

We can talk about all that Marine Stuff over the beer or the dinner or the campfire! ( I was an Army Medic, so what do I know about anything military?)

Let me be the first:

P.O. Craig; you're always welcome at my campfire
( even if you do tote a magnum! lol)

I enjoy his stories and reports. From what I can gather from others who have hunted with him, I would be honored to share a campfire with him.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

I like reading articles by people who can write well, know how to spell, punctuate, and use proper grammar. Craig Boddington and John Barsness are two of my favorites. I've rarely seen Craig start a sentence with "but," he writes on an appropriate level for his intended audience, and he doesn't mind sharing his humility when he screwed something up on a hunt.

I've met the guy and like him, but I liked his writing before I ever met him.

The guy goes on hunts I'd like to go on. I don't know how he affords it all. I don't think writing pays all that well and I know what he makes in the USMC Reserve. I just figure he bought into that "fruit company" (to quote Forrest Gump about Apple Computers) when it was still a garage operation. Whatever.

I like his diversity of articles... from "plain" (deer) to "exotic" (markhur in Turkey). He doesn't rub your face in it that he can do those hunts and most of us can't. Just seems like good folk... you know?

Well, back to the war.

Russ

I think I've conveyed my feelings already, but I'll jump in here to further the welcome for Boddington.

Great to have experience here. And, Craig, my invitation is always open.

redleg

seafire/ B17G,

I have read all Craig's books, and enjoyed them very much.

Some of the comments made about him on this forum were certainly undeserved and uncalled for.

Neither me or the moderators will delete any post - negative or otherwise.

Whoever posts anything will have to stand by what he says.

So far, what Craig has written put him head and shoulders above those who have written negatively of him.

A true gentleman indeed.

I to enjoy reading Craig's articles in Rifleshooter and watching Gun&Ammo on cable, as a 11yr. veteran in the USAF, I can appreciate Craig's sacrafice for his country and some of the crap you put up with being in the military, it's a shame Craig had to put up with some of the crap from this forum, the man seems like a true gentlemen and I for one would be honored to go on a hunt with the man, It's just to bad he's got all them left handed rifles, because I may have to borrow one for some of the hunts he goes on Cheers, Jay

I enjoy Craig's articles and have for a long time. I think he would be an asset on any of the forums on AR. I hope he does choose to visit here.

If we can put aside the jealousy of Craig hunting the world , while you make excuses and don't hunt then we will see what a -GREAT- wealth of knowledge and information Boddington is. He is by far the most hunted and best represented writer out there. Past or present. There were others with more experience on Africa or Asia or even Elk. But none have more WORLDLY experience that Boddington.
I have heard all the Bullshit from the masses i.e. big bore, left handed, short shit, red haired, pushy, egotistical, cocky, war monger, theosaurus thumper, hand out taking, free hunt demanding, etc.........Like I said , bullshit.
You can call me a hero worshipper if you most, but screw you, I like Boddington !!!!!!

ED

I think it's great that Craig has joined us, and only wish he contributed more to the discussions. I learn a lot from his experiences and would love to get some of the more subtle details that don't get into his commercial articles in this kind of forum.

I too have read and enjoyed Craig's writings. It seems as though all of the negative stuff is from people who have never met him and can accordingly be disregarded.

Read his stuff and enjoyed it. would love to meet him and talk with him, preferebly around a hunting camp fire. - Dan

I have always enjoyed Craig's writings, mainly because they are based on field work in the mountains of North America and on the dusty trails of Africa, and not written from desk research only. The research is necessary also, but I like to see the writer get dirty, so to speak. Keep it up Craig, we are reading and learning from you. Good shooting.

Yes!

MM

I think I've made my position clear on this, over on 500 Grain's thread. Imperfect as it may be, this Forum is the best of its' kind and deserving of the participation of individuals like Craig Boddington. I make no bones about it ... on a personal basis and as a member, I would be proud and honored to have this man as "One of Us".

I am as jealous as jealous gets of his hunting all over the world! Even though Craig is a bit magnum crazy, I'd pay careful attention if he decided to continue to share his thoughts and experiences here. Welcome! FWIW, Dutch.

[ 09-23-2003, 17:22: Message edited by: Dutch ]

.....there is an empty seat at my campfire!

Bob

I'd love to visit with all those left handed rifles......and Craig to .

Chuck

He has my vote.

Give it a rest already!!

I have luked for quite a while on this board. Lots of great info. I figued it would be worth it to register to ass something positive here. I appreciate Craig, he has 100's of times my experience in the field and he is will to share it. Thank you.

OOOOOORRAAAAAAH!!

.

.

.

also Anchors Aweigh!

That's a We Appreciate Craig vote.

Square On!

I enjoy reading Craig's stuff -- articles or books with him listed as author catch my attention. IMHO, Craig is one of the best.

EKM

Saeed:

" Neither I nor any other moderator will delete posts; Negative of Otherwise."

"Whoever posts anything will have to stand by what he says"

Saeed thanks for your input. I respect your wishes on the operation of your forum. I just want to send a positive message to Craig about the RESPECT that exists for him among us, without all the negativity of some of the other posts.

As far as standing by my Post and What I say on this subject, I do so proudly. As I am sure the rest of those that respect the man feel the same. I think you said it best in My Book... " A true Gentleman"

I hope if Craig gets to see this, he can see a 100 positive posts and no negativity to wade thru at all. That he realizes the Welcome we all feel toward him, instead of being dazed and stunned by the flack he got right off the bat on something irrelevant and that he no control over in the first place.

I think most of us, would not care if he was a 4 star general or a lowly E 1 private. He is truly a class act guy ( as I find a lot of these gunwriter guys probably are in real life. They all have a home and family to take care of, just like the rest of us. They are not Royalty and don't act like it either, but they sure show a Regal attitude IMHO)



[ 09-23-2003, 18:41: Message edited by: seafire/ B17G ]

I don't think we need to do this to get Craig to post here. He made it clear that he is used to the petty crap that was slung at him and is a lot thicker skinned than we would expect. Having said that, I do like his work and would welcome his voice here on this site.

Welcome Craig, stay around a while.

A "very" experienced hunter with a gift for relating his thoughts and experiences in words. Definately not the type we need on this forrum. Find some more rocks men, he's not gone yet

Just my smart assed way of saying yes, his input here would be welcomed by me!

I do appreciate Craig Boddington as a hunter and gunwriter, and a gentleman. And I enjoy his presence on these boards (far too few "outdoors writers" really have contact with their readership).

All that even though he be a US marine .

Carcano

[ 09-23-2003, 20:14: Message edited by: carcano91 ]

I'll have to chime in as another Boddington fan. I have most of his books, and have read his articles for years with great interest. Plus anyone that lists the 375 Holland as one his favotite cartridges can't be all bad Welcome Craig!

DGK

Colonel,

this former Marine thanks you for your service and your writing.

Ignore the non-hackers and hope you'll include us (virtually) at your wetting-down.

Wally

I have several of his books and cannot understand how anyone would not appreciate a person with that amount of experience that is willing to come here and share a bit with us. To add to that he's dedicated his entire professional career to serving our country and deserves all the respect that can be bestowed upon him.

i haven't got a thing in common with craig. i am right-handed, i use standard rifles, i have never been to africa, and i have never had the honor to serve.....wait a minute, i do have a thing or two in common with him~~we both love this country and we both love to hunt. what else is there?

i hope that he sticks around, and i am looking forward to learning from him. it would be rather unwise to lose the amount of experience he has just because of a bunch of jealous losers.

i also agree with RSY when he said that if we want him to act like one of us, we need to stop the hero worship and treat him as one of us.

finally, my hat is off to our host, saeed. his policy of not deleting posts, therefore making someone stand by what they have "said," is excellent and a great model for other forums.

Craig Boddington was my first favorite outdoor writer. I now have many favorite authors, but Plain Old Craig still ranks way up there in my books. The reason for that was nicely summed up by Russell E. Taylor. He seems like a normal guy, and definately the kind I'd always have room around the campfire for.

I am glad that he has happened upon our little website.

Cheers,
Canuck

FWIW, expressing appreciation or even admiration is not gushing hero worship. If anyone's testosterone level is to high to see that, its their loss. Maybe your're starved for a pat on the back?

I would be less than honest if I were to say Craig's writings were my favorite. Nothing personal, just not my style. I'll also admit there is a little, no a hell of a lot of "green eyed monster" in the fact that I'll never (unless maybe I win the damned lottery) ever be able to do any of the hunts he's been fortunate to have gone on.
With that said, I would still welcome him at my campfire, house or watering hole any time. I do feel the conversation would be interesting on both sides.
So, if Craig wishes to jump in and mingle with us, I welcome to the bunch, and let's all be nice and have fun.
Paul B.

I'd love to have the benefit of Craig's experience on the board. I enjoy he writing and appreciate that he is honest enough to admit that he has missed an occasional shot in the past. I've never met him but he seems to be someone who would fit in around any campfire.

If I'm flipping through a magazine and find an article Craig has written, I read it carefully and usually believe what he says. I can't think of very many (if any) other writers I can say that about these days. That says alot to me.

Craig, you are most welcome on this forum. I hope the negative posters do not discourage you from posting and spending a little time here. Anybody who hunts elk as much as I do gotta have some good stories to tell.

Gentlemen, I'm considerably older than Craig Boddington, and have some experience in the hunting fields of the world myself,but there is absolutely no way if I lived to be 200 yrs old could I match Bodd's experience, and I had 20 yrs head start on him! I doubt there are many, if any, who frequent this forum, who will ever match it!

Because I'm much older than Craig, I was around when he started writeing, and had, at that time, only hunted in Kansas, and because of his left handed handicap, had to take any junk he could find in a left hand rifle.This fact made it necessary for him find the good in what was available to him. He was just a kid really, and had not been to Africa, but his writeing indicated he had a true passion for hunting, that I could identify with! I liked him from the bigining, and have followed him since! I have read all his books, and most likely all his articles as well. I find no fault with him or his writeing! He certainly did not place himself above anyone then, and though he has more experience than anyone liveing today,still doesn't! I certainly can't say that for many writers about today!

I've talked to him, face to face, on more than one occasion,attended some of his Seminars, and I find him to be plesent, and not uppity in any way!

I take the negative comments about him to be made by those who dine on sour grapes, more than because of anything Craig has written, or said! Some say he will reccomend anything an ADVERTIZER has to sell! I think Craig is simply a guy who loves all guns, and finds the good that is certainly in anything, or anyone! my grandfather told me when i was very young,"If you want to live a happy life, find out what you like to do best, then find a way to get someone to pay you to do it!" Craig seems to have followed my granpa's advice!

Gentelmen, Craig Boddington is the real thing! We could aspire to be more like him, instead of tareing those down who disagree with us, or letting the green monster rule our comments!

Come on in, Craig, it's a big pool! The fat boys, who think they own the pool, will simply have to move over!

[ 09-24-2003, 23:41: Message edited by: MacD37 ]

We do not see much of Craig's magazine work in the UK but I have a few of his books and I have enjoyed reading them.

I like his breadth and depth of experience.