Q&A with Boddington

[Britt Beck]

Had the pleasure of meeting him in Vegas at the SCI show. What a humble gentleman. He is truly a wonderful role model for our sport. We got to chatting and I told him I was headed in September on my first safari. He sat me down and just started chatting away. I was blown away.

 

[nztimb]

Very pleased to have you join the forum and look forward to the answers to the question already asked and those that will undoubtably be asked as this thread continues.
My question is about gear failure/loss/not living up to expectations on a hunt and what you were able to do about it when replacment gear was not available. Not brand names but more in terms of how the non performance of an underperforming item effected your ability to satisfactorily conclude the hunt.
Appreciate your time and expertise

 

[wesheltonj]

Dear Craig,
On this forum, from one of the members I have learned that you have shot recently your 100th buffalo.
Out of this 100, how many times did you experience buffalo charge?
Thank you!

There is quite the debate regarding using your own gun versus the camp gun. Is there any real advantage using your own gun? Or is it mostly a mental thing? Based on 100 Buffalo taken, I presume that all taken with a camp gun, correct, and there is no real advantage?

 

[saed]

The Facebook Live is starting in about 5 minutes. I didn't add these last three questions to the email I sent him yesterday so we might get to them next time.

 

[Pheroze]

I missed my question but a great FB live event. Thanks

 

[wesheltonj]

Maybe mine next time too.

 

[mark-hunter]

Any chance, on getting the transcript from FB? I am one of the dinosaurs that doesnt have face book,

 

[saed]

Any chance, on getting the transcript from FB? I am one of the dinosaurs that doesnt have face book,

I'm going to try and paraphrase the answers as I have time here. We're dinosaurs as well, still trying to get good at Facebook. Conrad

 

[saed]

First, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Craig (COL Boddington) a few years back.
I recently read of his Weatherby Award - Congratulations.

One question: What does he do with the trophies? Are they all mounted? He must have a mansion to display all those heads!!

After 13 years of working with Craig, I think the best way I can sum it up is: "All cattle, no hat." Professionally, Craig is a gun writer, that's it. His earning potential over the decades has been limited by his choice to remain a journalist rather than become a celebrity. Had he opted for the latter, I'm sure a big house or three would have lots and lots of great trophies on the walls.

I wish he had a mansion etc so when I had to bunk up at his place I'd be treated in the fashion I imagine I'm accustomed to but he lives in a modest home with limited wall space. At his farm in Kansas it is the same, but he does have a pole barn in which he keeps his most precious trophies. You can imagine that the annual pressure to meet his editorial requirements could leave him destitute if he shipped each trophy he took as part of his work of keeping hunters and gun enthusiasts informed.

Great question. Maybe I'll find a museum one day that would like to display his trophies.

-Conrad

 

[Hogpatrol]

Just catching up on this thread. Welcome ! This is another great resource for hunters and I for one am glad to have Craig and Conrad on board. Looking forward to the answers to previously posted questions and have one of my own. What are the smallest and largest cartridges you have used in Africa and what game was taken with each? TIA, Hog

 

[saed]

Just catching up on this thread. Welcome ! This is another great resource for hunters and I for one am glad to have Craig and Conrad on board. Looking forward to the answers to previously posted questions and have one of my own. What are the smallest and largest cartridges you have used in Africa and what game was taken with each? TIA, Hog

Just catching up on this thread. Welcome ! This is another great resource for hunters and I for one am glad to have Craig and Conrad on board. Looking forward to the answers to previously posted questions and have one of my own. What are the smallest and largest cartridges you have used in Africa and what game was taken with each? TIA, Hog

Do you have FB? Craig is driving from CA to KS right now. I'll collect these questions and we'll do another live event. With all his writing assignments he's enjoying not having to type to respond .

Conrad

 

[Hogpatrol]

I can just imagine the workload. How does he have time to hunt? Fortunately or unfortunately, not a FB user.

 

[greyfox]

Conrad, as to the trophies, etc. might I suggest Cabela's/Bass Pro or similiar. I'm sure donating some to museums or Sporting Goods stores would be a great way to display without having the wall space, etc.

Maybe some of the manufacturers that have sponsored hunts would want some mounts for their offices too?

 

[Red Leg]

Conrad, as to the trophies, etc. might I suggest Cabela's/Bass Pro or similiar. I'm sure donating some to museums or Sporting Goods stores would be a great way to display without having the wall space, etc.

Maybe some of the manufacturers that have sponsored hunts would want some mounts for their offices too?

That assumes you are willing/able to pay for export/import and taxidermy work before your donation. Doubt Cabelas or anyone else will be particularly interested in taking fiscal responsibility of a set of dried skins and horns located abroad. Boddington's "business model" seems to be shoot them, film or take some pictures, leave them, and write something. Nothing wrong with that. The animal typically doesn't go to waste.

 

[mark-hunter]

I'm going to try and paraphrase the answers as I have time here. We're dinosaurs as well, still trying to get good at Facebook. Conrad

Dear Conrad, thanks! Sincerely looking fwd to this!

 

[jacques smith]

Guess I’m in the dinosaur herd as well. I have no inclination to face book. Twitter what’s up or anything. This forum takes all the time I’ve got. Welcome to you both, enjoy. Jacques

 

[mark-hunter]

Till now, I always tought that we, the dinosaurs, are extint in the wild, obviously I was wrong!

 

[saed]

It turns out...Facebook saves these. I pinned the FB live to the top of the page. All the answers are in there.

 

[saed]

Guess I’m in the dinosaur herd as well. I have no inclination to face book. Twitter what’s up or anything. This forum takes all the time I’ve got. Welcome to you both, enjoy. Jacques

I'm with you. I do the internet under duress. Conrad

 

[cpr0312]

Cool, thanks for sharing the link to the fb live session!