Let's start by telling you a little bit about The Boykin Klan and highlight times from 1996 to 2004 in Thailand "The Land of Smiles"
As you probably know, I am Mark "Thumper" Boykin.
One of the hardest questions ever asked of me is " where are you from?" Well, between Australia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Wyoming, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan and even Louisiana. Yes, a "former coonass!" Now I have returned to the status of returning coonass! *L*
For 11 month of the year from 1996 to July 2004, I worked as a Safety Director for an offshore drilling company in South East Asia. Working with safety and the environment has been my lifes love and I could never express in words, how much the outdoors, hunting and fishing mean to me. When friends ask why did I live over there, I always responded "to support my addiction to the outdoors".
I am a Life Member of The NRA, Safari Club International and North American Hunting Club. I strongly feel that the future of hunting and TRUE conservation depends on the continuing education and support these organizations provide.
At one time I assumed that such organisations had little to do for folks that plan the hunting season around weekends in the deerstand or shooting rabbits in the back 40. I must admit, I was very wrong! Check out my conservation page for more information on theses great organisations.
During my time off I can be hard to find. It was usually rumored, that I can only be found in some remote part of the outdoor wilderness. Be it the wilds of the Asian jungles, the far northern and western reaches of North America, hunting the rut in the south eastern states or as far down under as New Zealand. I thank God that I have been blessed to have hunted in many parts of the world that as a child I could have only dreamed.
I only hope, that all of the children who dream about "Great outdoor Adventures", as so many of us did in our youth, are blessed to see them become reality.
As I said, my addiction is the outdoors. Even on the most stress filled days all I have to do is take a moment thinking about my next adventure and I feel recharged and ready to take on what ever life throws me.
Sometimes I used get a chance and get away for a bit of jungle hill tracking or rock climbing.
Thia was our home away from home in Thailand! This is a shot of our place outside of Bangkok.
Although some people may think otherwise, it was tough on a family living abroad. Being a family who loves the country life style, you may find it hard to belive that were able to find it, or at least something close to it! We were fortunate to be able to escape the rat race and live outside Bangkok's concrete jungle.
Our home away from home was centered around the international school and a country club on the lake. Sometimes it is easy to forget that you are living in another country. As it is almost like any small community in the States.
Now let me take a moment to introduce you to my wife and best buddy Paula...
Originally from Indiana, she has sure changed over the years. From a Yankee farm girl to a true Southern Belle and now a farang, as the Thai's call North Americans. She loves the outdoors, shooting and fishing. She supports and accepts hunting, but would never become a huntress herself. From the picture it seems that she has found a new boyfriend from North Thailand!!!
I snapped this shot in 1999 while on a river cruise up the Chao Praya River (Kings River in Thailand.) The little red head is Vivian, "Veto" for short. She has proven to be quite a fishergirl and her hunting skills are as good as any boy her age. She loves to spend time with her dad in the woods when we get the chance.
Another Picture of our "Veto" with her ray bans on and chilling out on the river. I could never have been blessed with a child, who would follow their dad anywhere at anytime without complaining. Shes is tough as nails and a bit of a Tomboy, but that suits me fine. She is her own person and if you don't belive it ask her!
Man it seems that they grow so fast! Looking back, it is hard to think this was only taken in 2001. Today is is as tall as me. But then again, everyone is "as tall as me" Just remember to enjoy them all you can! Here is my champ Viv, after a hard won game. She is one great player in my opinion and a bit of a chip off this old rock ! Don't ya think??
Not the best day of fishing, as the dark monsoon rains in the back will tell. But then again,"A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work!"
Here is shot of me at the end of a long day of trawling for marlin in 2002. (Notice no sail fish in the picture.) I hope you enjoy the stories in the swamp and find some useful links on this site. Be sure to sign the guest book to let us know you dropped by.
Who says women can't drive? Not only can Paula and her mate from Australia Allison do wonders on a horse, they can sure drive that elephant. Too bad they did not win the barrel racing contest*L* But elephants are hell on the barrel turns.
Here is Veto again , getting ready to head for the pool. On a "HOT" February day in Thailand the pool was always the best way to beat the heat.
Well sooner or later someone else has to drive. Nice to have a break from the reigns during a jungle elephant trek.
No one can say she is camera shy!
Here is a recent picture of Veto holding a set of horns for one of the most reclusive deer in the rain forrest! The Mutjak or barking deer! This is indeed a true trophy and you can read about the hunt on the Jungle hunting in Burma link!
I would rather see him here than in a trophy room! Hunting is a tool of conservation, not a right to kill! This may sound odd, but indeed it is the sportsmen and women who will protect such animals as this tiger for the next generation! Don't be fooled by the so call protectors of animals who want money to save the wildlife. True conservation is paid by outdoorsmen and women. people sometimes confuse conservation with many of the animal right or left wind groups, such as PETA or the Humane society as conservation groups that promote conservation. Please don't be fooled.
Who knows, maybe one day we will be able to match our hunting skills with the tiger in the true wilds. Today they are protected in the same manner as elk and many North American game was in the early 1900's. Again it was the true conservationist, (hunters, who paid to open areas and to return wildlife to greater populations than they ever numbered in history. (THIS IS A FACT)
Click above to return to the Thumper's Swamp!
As you probably know, I am Mark "Thumper" Boykin. One of the hardest questions ever asked of me is " where are you from?" Well, between Australia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Wyoming, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan and even Louisiana. Yes, a "former coonass!" Now I have returned to the status of returning coonass! *L*
For 11 month of the year from 1996 to July 2004, I worked as a Safety Director for an offshore drilling company in South East Asia. Working with safety and the environment has been my lifes love and I could never express in words, how much the outdoors, hunting and fishing mean to me. When friends ask why did I live over there, I always responded "to support my addiction to the outdoors".
I am a Life Member of The NRA, Safari Club International and North American Hunting Club. I strongly feel that the future of hunting and TRUE conservation depends on the continuing education and support these organizations provide.
At one time I assumed that such organisations had little to do for folks that plan the hunting season around weekends in the deerstand or shooting rabbits in the back 40. I must admit, I was very wrong! Check out my conservation page for more information on theses great organisations.
During my time off I can be hard to find. It was usually rumored, that I can only be found in some remote part of the outdoor wilderness. Be it the wilds of the Asian jungles, the far northern and western reaches of North America, hunting the rut in the south eastern states or as far down under as New Zealand. I thank God that I have been blessed to have hunted in many parts of the world that as a child I could have only dreamed.
As I said, my addiction is the outdoors. Even on the most stress filled days all I have to do is take a moment thinking about my next adventure and I feel recharged and ready to take on what ever life throws me.
Sometimes I used get a chance and get away for a bit of jungle hill tracking or rock climbing.
Thia was our home away from home in Thailand! This is a shot of our place outside of Bangkok.
Although some people may think otherwise, it was tough on a family living abroad. Being a family who loves the country life style, you may find it hard to belive that were able to find it, or at least something close to it! We were fortunate to be able to escape the rat race and live outside Bangkok's concrete jungle.
Our home away from home was centered around the international school and a country club on the lake. Sometimes it is easy to forget that you are living in another country. As it is almost like any small community in the States.
Now let me take a moment to introduce you to my wife and best buddy Paula...
Originally from Indiana, she has sure changed over the years. From a Yankee farm girl to a true Southern Belle and now a farang, as the Thai's call North Americans. She loves the outdoors, shooting and fishing. She supports and accepts hunting, but would never become a huntress herself. From the picture it seems that she has found a new boyfriend from North Thailand!!!
I snapped this shot in 1999 while on a river cruise up the Chao Praya River (Kings River in Thailand.) The little red head is Vivian, "Veto" for short. She has proven to be quite a fishergirl and her hunting skills are as good as any boy her age. She loves to spend time with her dad in the woods when we get the chance.
Here is shot of me at the end of a long day of trawling for marlin in 2002. (Notice no sail fish in the picture.) I hope you enjoy the stories in the swamp and find some useful links on this site. Be sure to sign the guest book to let us know you dropped by.
Who says women can't drive? Not only can Paula and her mate from Australia Allison do wonders on a horse, they can sure drive that elephant. Too bad they did not win the barrel racing contest*L* But elephants are hell on the barrel turns.
No one can say she is camera shy!
Here is a recent picture of Veto holding a set of horns for one of the most reclusive deer in the rain forrest! The Mutjak or barking deer! This is indeed a true trophy and you can read about the hunt on the Jungle hunting in Burma link!
I would rather see him here than in a trophy room! Hunting is a tool of conservation, not a right to kill! This may sound odd, but indeed it is the sportsmen and women who will protect such animals as this tiger for the next generation! Don't be fooled by the so call protectors of animals who want money to save the wildlife. True conservation is paid by outdoorsmen and women. people sometimes confuse conservation with many of the animal right or left wind groups, such as PETA or the Humane society as conservation groups that promote conservation. Please don't be fooled.
Who knows, maybe one day we will be able to match our hunting skills with the tiger in the true wilds. Today they are protected in the same manner as elk and many North American game was in the early 1900's. Again it was the true conservationist, (hunters, who paid to open areas and to return wildlife to greater populations than they ever numbered in history. (THIS IS A FACT)
Click above to return to the Thumper's Swamp!