It was 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. The African Hunting Show was being hosted by the African Sporting Gazette. As usual it was raining outside and the grey and drab colours reminded me very much of Europe, and in particular London. I much rather would have been sitting back home, enjoying the feel of Africa on my skin.

I keep wondering how this landscape would look in summer time and I made a mental note to one day visit America on holiday only, in spring or summer, when the green landscape we see in movies and in pictures, are a reality.....

The AR gathering my friend Adam Hunter arranged was in a sports bar a short walk from the hotel where the show was. Me and Aaron Neilson headed that way to socialise with our E-buddies, but also to meet new people and just have some fun.

It was a genuine surprise to see Craig Boddington and wife Donna also attending the little merry band of AR brothers and we had a great time. We all had a tense moment as the waitress dropped Craig’s whole beer in his lap, and laughed merrily at the poor girls horrific attempts to rectify the situation. I could not help but wonder what it would be to hunt with this man, not even talk about guiding him.

This is my story that I want to share. I recently picked up on another jibe here on AR, at what I believe is one our time’s greatest personalities in hunting. And no, I do not suck up to him.

As it so happens, I am fortunate to have figured out a way to hunt Serval. Not by accident, but specifically. They are very territorial and coupled with another trick or two (legal), we maintain a 100% success rate on them. Given, due to license restrictions, we can only hunt 1 or two per year. A friend in South Africa, Benand Els, who is co-owner of the Safari Outdoor hunting store in Pretoria, put me in contact with Craig. Benand shot a monster Serval with me in 2013. During later 2013 me and Boddington corresponded back and forth and the hunt was booked and scheduled for June 2014.

At the SCI show in 2014 me and Erika went to meet him and we talked about the hunt a little more. Craig was busy as always, but he and Donna found time to have a chat with us. I like the personal contact before the hunt, and this was no exception.

The sun was dipping fast behind the big mountain in the West. I gave the Mountain Reedbuck ram a last look through the Spotting scope. He was slowly feeding up the hill about 800 yards above us. The Land cruiser felt light-years away. There was not going to be an easy way.

The Serval was in the salt and the pressure off. (story documented in Safari Times magazine) As with most night hunts the skill was in me getting the cat in the open and the hunter making the shot. There was not much else to it.



This Mountain Reedbuck was going to be it though.....I badly wanted to HUNT with this man, and share the experience with him. Reading his books, spending nights around the campfire with him and days in the cruiser, we now had the opportunity to do it.

If a species have been taken before, experienced hunters only hunt the same species again if the trophy is exceptional or if the hunt appeals to the hunter. The climb up the mountain and the 8” horns of this old ram, certainly fell into both categories.

The climb through the dead ground was steep with those loose rocks hidden in the grass, that South Africa is famous for, laying strewn all over. Reaching my land mark I picked from the bottom of the Valley, about 200 yards above the ram, we crawled towards the rocky outcrop 100 yards in front of us. During this whole time Craig battled with me through the steep climb, imitating my moves, hiding behind my bulky frame, and never second guessing or questioning my strategy. As I do with all hunters, I informed him constantly of my plans and my intended actions and movements up the hill. A fit, determined man grinned back at me every time I paused to check on him (and to get air back into my lungs).

On reaching the outcrop after the accent of about 45 minutes, we slowly pushed his backpack onto the rocks as a rest, and slithered into position. I stole a little peek over the top, but could not find the ram. I asked Craig to settle in, but never took my eyes from my Swarovski binoculars. And there he was, just the horns of the ram turning as he looked around for danger. He was bedded down, with not much visible. Craig spotted him in an instant when I asked him to look for the horns, and he wasted no time in getting in position with his .375 H&H………

After the pictures and gutting the ram, we struggled down the mountain in the cool early evening. I could not help but to reflect on the last couple of days. The evenings at the camp fire. His interaction with the other 8 others hunters we had in the camp, enjoying their company as much as they did his. His work ethics, even after a long night out, filming the sunrise on top of the mountain. The stories, the banter, and of course, the hunt……..and I came to the simple realisation…….what an unbelievable honour and privilege it was to hunt with, and guide, arguably the greatest hunter and outdoor writer, of our modern times – in short, a Legend.

We all are entitled to our opinions of people of course. I learned one thing here on AR, and it is not reserved to Craig T Boddington – know someone before you pass judgement onto them. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you will find! And remember, none of us are perfect!

Great Post!
I have always admired Craig and his accomplishments. We all go through some difficult times. And obviously, he is no exception.

Charl,

Great post. I wish we could've met up last weekend.

After rereading and looking at the pictures, the scrapes on your legs show that it was not an easy stalk. Great work.

Let's not forget Craig finished a hunt after having a serious medical issue, a mild heart attack, I believe.

Nice post Charl!

Well done Charl!

Thanks folks! Much appreciated.

Charl,

I've met Craig but I don't know him at all. I have hunted with several PH who have shared a few days in the field with him and their experience parallels yours. Simply a good guy to have in camp and hunt with.

Mark

Well done. In 21 safaris I have seen exactly 1 serval. To bag one is an great accomplishment.
Congrats to both of you.

Huge mountain reedbuck!

Well done Charl! I will look for you to say HI in Las Vegas!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Yeah! What I didn't say is like Larry I've only seen one serval on multiple safaris in 8 countries. If Charl knows how to kill them with regularity he is doing something very right.

Thanks folks, I will post something on the Serval for your enjoyment.


Darin, it will be AWESOME to see you at SCI and catch up. Me and Erika will be in booth nr. 700!

Cheers,

Charl;

We'll definitely come by!

Darin

only bottington by the title i thought ;you meant biebs :hilb ily:

Mark and Larry: Charl does know where and how to find them. Killing them is up to you and your shooting skills. Here is mine with Charl from a couple of years ago, shot with the .325 WSM in the long grass from about 60 yards as part of my Bucket List Hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
only bottington by the title i thought ;you meant biebs :hilb ily:

I can agree on Craig. Went on a hunt with him in 2012 on Mozambique. What a great guy! Can't wait to say hi at SCI.

This is a very classy post and a good reflection on both Craig's character and yours.
I personally do not like the Craig bashing sometimes seen here. I've met Craig and talked to him a number of times and have spent time in camp with others who have hunted with him...Bottom line is i believe he is a class act and be certainly has been around me 100% of the time.
I think its great you had a quality experience with him on such a quality hunt for a very specialized animal!
Thank you for posting such a positive message

How does declaring bankruptcy work in the US?

What protection is afforded the creditors??

Saeed,
What purpose does bringing up bankruptcy serve here? To Drag Craig through the mud? Again?
In the U.S. There are numerous forms of bankruptcy depending on whether one is filing individually or corporately.
Individually there are two primary forms and the creditors rights or ability to recover vary. If one liquidates all debt,and the courts approve, the creditors will not recover the funds. If one reorganizes debt the creditors are a part of a repayment plan that typically lowers the debt.
Ones credit is severely effected for 7-10 years and costs one in many ways in terms of money, ability to obtain future items from utilities to housing to gainful employment and most of all have trolls continually drag one through the mud and add insult to injury.

What Poyntman said as far as a bankruptcy, plus one! It brings a person to the edge of ruin in many ways.

That said, if I could make just one more trip to Africa having Craig share a campfire would make it the trip of a lifetime. For me anyway. Wouldn't matter much where or what we hunted, or even if I pulled a trigger; just to spend a week or two having him to learn from.

Most of the people who have had something negative to say about Craig haven't done as much to promote hunting Africa in their lifetime as he did on the average TAA show.

Still THE MAN!!!

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
...and most of all have trolls continually drag one through the mud and add insult to injury.

Craig Boddington has done more than most for supporting hunters, educating people about hunting & wildlife conservation issues, dedicating a lot of his time I'm sure is of no monetary return and writing a lot of great books and articles in the meanwhile. If he is up for cheap shots it's a poor precedent for trying to rally hunters behind a united front.

quote:

Most of the people who have had something negative to say about Craig haven't done as much to promote hunting Africa in their lifetime as he did on the average TAA show.
Rich

Couldn't say it better!!

Correction, it's not just Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by vvreddy:

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
...and most of all have trolls continually drag one through the mud and add insult to injury.

Craig Boddingtom Saeed has done more than most for supporting hunters, educating people about hunting & wildlife conservation issues, dedicating a lot of his time I'm sure is of no monetary return and writing a lot of great books and articles in the meanwhile. If he is up for cheap shots it's a poor precedent for trying to rally hunters behind a united front.

CB makes his living off of us hunters. Saeed makes NO money off of us, and in fact spends a great deal of his time and his money for our benefit.

Bankruptcy screws creditors. We have a moral duty to repay those who lend us money, or has that concept been lost?

quote:

Originally posted by mmassey338:

quote:

Originally posted by vvreddy:

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
...and most of all have trolls continually drag one through the mud and add insult to injury.

Craig Boddingtom Saeed has done more than most for supporting hunters, educating people about hunting & wildlife conservation issues, dedicating a lot of his time I'm sure is of no monetary return and writing a lot of great books and articles in the meanwhile. If he is up for cheap shots it's a poor precedent for trying to rally hunters behind a united front.

CB makes his living off of us hunters. Saeed makes NO money off of us, and in fact spends a great deal of his time and his money for our benefit.

Bankruptcy screws creditors. We have a moral duty to repay those who lend us money, or has that concept been lost?

Massey,

Prepare for a deluge of star struck CB ass-kisssers to respond

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
This is a very classy post and a good reflection on both Craig's character and yours.
I personally do not like the Craig bashing sometimes seen here. I've met Craig and talked to him a number of times and have spent time in camp with others who have hunted with him...Bottom line is i believe he is a class act and be certainly has been around me 100% of the time.
I think its great you had a quality experience with him on such a quality hunt for a very specialized animal!
Thank you for posting such a positive message

I have visited with Craig on multiple occasions while attending the DSC Expo. Despite his multi-tasking, he always found the time to visit with me. My widowed, 80 year young mother accompanied me to the 2015 DSC Expo. When Craig discovered that it was her 80th birthday, he insisted that he take a photo with my mother. I have also hunted with several PH's and guides who had the privilege of accompanying Craig into the bush. Without exception, they advised that Craig was a true gentlemen, sportsman, and conservationist. One day soon, I hope to share a camp with him so that I can check it off of my bucket list.

Cayjun, don't get me wrong by the above...I would love to hunt with CB!

Was wondering how long it would take to turn into what I expected. 24 hours by the looks of it.....

Charl
It's a shame this post got hijacked.
That's what you get for doing something nice.

I am a great fan of Craig Bottington. I have purchased his DVD and his books. At the SCI convention he always takes the time to visit shake your hand, and look you in the eye.
his work speaks for itself.
In my line of work I have dealt with bankruptcy of individuals and corporations many many times. Most always people hate the circumstances. People have had to take bankruptcy though no fault of their own. The great recession put many people in unfortunate cir u stances caused by the greed of our financial institutions. I have yet to see a banker behind bars.
Bankruptcy was designed to give folks a fresh start. It's always wise to remember that when you live in a glass house don't throw rocks.

quote:

I personally do not like the Craig bashing sometimes seen here

If life has taught me one thing, it is to walk a mile in a mans shoes, before trying to kick him while he's down.

I dont know Craig at all, but from what I have heard of him there must have been some serious issues for him to have made the decision he did.

Perhaps the man has chosen the lesser of two evils, we wouldn't know even if he had.

All told, if Craig is who I think he is, he will make a plan to make right that which has hurt others. Just give him some time.

Oh dear, what if Mark Sullivan had financial trouble?

quote:

Originally posted by Leopardtrack:

quote:

Originally posted by mmassey338:

quote:

Originally posted by vvreddy:

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
...and most of all have trolls continually drag one through the mud and add insult to injury.

Craig Boddingtom Saeed has done more than most for supporting hunters, educating people about hunting & wildlife conservation issues, dedicating a lot of his time I'm sure is of no monetary return and writing a lot of great books and articles in the meanwhile. If he is up for cheap shots it's a poor precedent for trying to rally hunters behind a united front.

CB makes his living off of us hunters. Saeed makes NO money off of us, and in fact spends a great deal of his time and his money for our benefit.

Bankruptcy screws creditors. We have a moral duty to repay those who lend us money, or has that concept been lost?

Massey,

Prepare for a deluge of star struck CB ass-kisssers to respond

Even billionaire Paul Allen filed bankruptcy for the building of a new stadium for the Portland Trailblazer's.
Taxpayer's got stuck with the bill even though he is still a billionaire, owner of Portland Trailblazer and SEATTLE SEAHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No accountabilities?

quote:

How does declaring bankruptcy work in the US?What protection is afforded the creditors??

1) very well for those filing bankruptcy
2) none to unsecured creditors and the little afforded secured creditors is allowed to be completely undermined by the courts and the bankrupt party slithering around hiding assets.

I have no beef with CB, don't know him personally or otherwise, but have to admit that being involved in a personal bankruptcy and still going hunting in Africa seems to contradict each other. I wonder if any of the creditors would be interested in this post?

Whatever people think of him me and my wife found that he was a very fine companion to have a cocktail around the fire and share stories and just hang out. In fact he can be the life of the party. No pretense, no attitude, just an all around good guy who treated me like a friend. I am unaware of any of the unfortunate happenings in his life, hopefully I will be informed at the right time and place, and be able to share a cocktail or a meal at SCI show or on a future hunt. I flew all the way over and back with him and learned a lot. I consider him a friend. I am not an ass kisser. He was pissed I shot a bigger Nyala, but I think he was impressed how hard I hunted and prepared for my first African trip. I am not rolling in cash so it takes quite a bit of financial effort to go on hunts like this. I am envious of the fact he gets to hunt as much as he does, as I think others might be. It's his job, and I would love to figure out to have a job like that. If you can go on a hunt with him I would say do it!

quote:

Originally posted by Leopardtrack:
Cayjun, don't get me wrong by the above...I would love to hunt with CB!

It's his job. The courts would have no problem continuing it. If it wasn't his job maybe. I think people have forgotten that

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:

quote:

How does declaring bankruptcy work in the US?What protection is afforded the creditors??

1) very well for those filing bankruptcy
2) none to unsecured creditors and the little afforded secured creditors is allowed to be completely undermined by the courts and the bankrupt party slithering around hiding assets.

I have no beef with CB, don't know him personally or otherwise, but have to admit that being involved in a personal bankruptcy and still going hunting in Africa seems to contradict each other. I wonder if any of the creditors would be interested in this post?

Gunslinger, What do you mean when you say that CB was pissed when you shot a bigger Nyala??