Craig Boddington will be our our special guest speaker both days of the LVSCI 2023 Banquet.
During his hunting career Craig has gained extensive experience on six continents. His first “international hunt” occurred in northern British Columbia, in 1973; he made his first safari to Africa to Kenya, in 1977. He completed the African Big Five in 1986; he also has achieved the Capra Super 30; Ovis Super 20; two North American grand slams; and the North American Super Slam from Grand Slam/Ovis. He is one of only two hunters known to have taken all nine of Africa’s principal spiral-horned antelope twice. His favorite hunts include those for African buffalo, which he has pursued in 12 countries; and for whitetails, which he loves to hunt and guide for in Kansas.
“I have been rooting for Craig to win this award for quite a few years,” said John Zent, Editorial Director of NRA Publications, “mostly because I know he deserves it, but also because I too hoped a writer would win it again someday. He’s done us all proud.”
Craig grew up in Kansas, and in the mid-1960s he began hunting whitetails and mule deer there; pronghorns and mule deer in Wyoming, and mule deer in Colorado. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. He attended the University of Kansas on a Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship, and was graduated with a Bachelor’s of English then assumed a commission in the United States Marine Corps. He served in command assignments for more than 20 of his 31 years of active and reserve duty, and retired in 2005 as a colonel.
Craig began his outdoor writing career in college. In 1979, after leaving active duty, he joined Petersen Publishing, initially as associate editor of Guns & Ammo; from 1983-94, he was editor of Petersen’s Hunting. Currently, he serves the Outdoor Sportsman Group as executive field editor of Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s Hunting and Rifleshooter. Additionally, Craig is co-host of “Guns & Ammo TV” and “Petersen’s Hunting Adventures TV.” He is a regular contributor to the NRA’s American Hunter and American Rifleman; Sports Afield; Safari and Safari Times; and Fair Chase. His body of work includes more than 5,000 magazine articles and 28 books, and he has hosted six outdoor TV series.
He is a Life member of the NRA, Dallas Safari Club and Safari Club International, a Permanent Director of the Weatherby Foundation International, and a Professional Member of the Boone and Crockett Club.
Craig is the proud father of two daughters, Brittany and Caroline, who are both avid hunters. Today he resides with his wife, Donna, on the California Coast and on their small farm in Kansas.