Rich
You are just trying to piss on his parade.
How many people have intentionally gone into a charge situation asking their PH not to save their ass.
If you don't like it then don't go. But for the love of god will all you armchair experts leave those who wish to in peace.
Bunch of loosers making this their personal crusade.
HQ

My dear and departed friend Allen Day hunted with him several times and not once did Sullivan take a shot. From what he told me, these guys have told Mark to shoot in order to anchor, or as in the case of the videos, the clients were all briefed prior and were in agreement. Not that this issue hasn't been rehashed here more than the "who killed JFK" conspiracy..

Mark Sullivan may be a great P.H. with whom to hunt, but I wonder somewhat about the initial "Chris Mathewsie" solicitation above.

Alan was not of those who fawningly "revered" Sullivan, but he obviously respected him and thought he got value for what he paid. Good for him and good for Mark.

That said, the post beginning the thread, IMHO, is a bit over-the-top, though, and raises more questions than it provides.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have never met or hunted with Mr. Sullivan. I do have a few of his DVD's. I think there is more to the guy than his on screen personality, based on what others who know him have said.

Even so, from what I see about him, and this is being judgmental without all the info, I don't think he would be the PH of my choice. I do understand why others might choose him however.

I was thinking about the controversial nature of Mr. Sullivan and how people typically line up on one side or the other concerning support for him. I think it is obvious that he has a tremendous amount of experience standing up to and stopping charges, all the while doing so with Double Rifles of large caliber. Now the circumstances leading up to these "showdowns" are of dubious character and are what most object to. Even so, he has the experience.

The reason I mention this is that we also seek opinions, entertainment, and conclusions drawn from experiences of dubious character from the past without thinking twice. Names that possibly due to the passage of time, are now revered as speaking the gospel concerning hunting dangerous game with interesting weapons. I'm talking about Taylor, Nyschens, Sutherland, Bell, Foran, etc., etc.. Remember these guys were all poachers! Yet we have taken that undesirable part of the story and set it aside and focused on gleaning tidbits of info and entertainment from their wealth of knowledge gained in the field.

Please understand I am in no way stating that Mr. Sullivan be considered as standing on the same stage as the greats of Africana history. I'm simply pointing out that many of the hunters of past generations that we admire were less than saints themselves, yet we still are entertained by their exploits.

Just trying to rationalize why we accept one and demonize the other. I'm as guilty about it as the next guy. I won't be attending Mr. Sullivan's seminar, but I just finished reading Months of the Sun for the third time!

Well said Todd. I am not a fan of Mark or his antics, just not my cup of tea. However by all accounts he is a fine hunter and a first class shot.

Can't agree with your comparison with the old hunters of yesteryear Todd. Those you mentioned and the likes of Corbett and Anderson from India were hunters in their own right. They hunted, or as you rightly pointed out, some poached, for money or in the case of those two mentioned from India, hunted man-eaters to protect the human population. They did not take the moral high ground or have to justify their hunting methods. Whatever shot presented itself or what ever animal they wanted, they took it.

None of them were PHs in terms of guiding others on a hunt. These came later in the likes of Hunter, Selby, etc, who all seemed to show respect and reverence to the animal being hunted and to the method by which it was hunted. I'm not implying Mr Sullivan does anything different than these latter mentioned PHs as I just don't know what is the truth here, but there is just no comparison when speaking of the hunting of old and the hunting of today with all the world's focus on conservation, animal rights and anti-firearm hype.

Comparing a showman who would make Hollywood proud, to the great hunters of the past?!

Nothing can be further from the truth.

Saeed and Eagle27, see below:

quote:

Please understand I am in no way stating that Mr. Sullivan be considered as standing on the same stage as the greats of Africana history. I'm simply pointing out that many of the hunters of past generations that we admire were less than saints themselves, yet we still are entertained by their exploits.

quote:

The reason I mention this is that we also seek opinions, entertainment, and conclusions drawn from experiences of dubious character from the past without thinking twice.

Todd you may not have intended placing Mr Sullivan on the same stage as the hunters of the past, but using the terms of "dubious character from the past" in reference to these old hunters is doing them a huge disservice. The point I was trying to make is that what was perfectly acceptable in those bygone years is no longer. Those old hunters were tough, independent men making a living in a tough unforgiving world and were not being anything other them themselves, many light years away from the behaviour expected of hunters and shown by the majority of hunters today. It is hard for the many of us do still have free spirits like some of those of old but we stand to do our sport great harm if we followed that thinking today.

Eagle27, sorry to disagree with you on this one but I would like to point out a couple of items if you'll permit me to:

1) I didn't say ALL the old timers were poachers. I didn't mention Corbet, Hunter, Selby. But the ones I did mention were poachers.

2) The comment in your second post where you stated "what was perfectly acceptable in those bygone years is no longer" doesn't hold water. Their actions were not perfectly acceptable. Evidence to this is found in their own writings where they describe their constant vigil of trying to avoid being detected and apprehended by the authorities!

Most of these old timers did in fact take the moral high road in their methods of take as a matter of fact. Most scorned the weekend meat hunters as being beneath them in that their life style was more pure because they didn't "have the luxury" of giving up on an elephant if the going got rough because they "depended on getting the ivory" to make a living whereas the weekend hunter could simply go back to town. I think you can draw some comparisons here to Mr. Sullivan's more brash comments about "That would be killing, not hunting" when he claims his methods are superior!

I mean neither you nor anyone else any disrespect here but justify it anyway you want, many of the old timers were just as controversial in their day and in their own way.

But please also realize, I am not a Sullivan man! The real point of my post was a personal reflection of being a bit conflicted in my appreciation of the old hunters' writings. I enjoy reading them for the adventure and excitement of an Africa that no longer exists. But they were still outlaws in their time!

the guy is a clown show, and this is a safari company pimping him off...

quote:

But please also realize, I am not a Sullivan man! The real point of my post was a personal reflection of being a bit conflicted in my appreciation of the old hunters' writings. I enjoy reading them for the adventure and excitement of an Africa that no longer exists. But they were still outlaws in their time!

Ah but they were great outlaws, now there's nothing wrong with a bit of poaching If that's all they did then I can easily forgive. I feel both you and I and many a hunter today would relish the opportunity to stand next to Pondoro or Karamojo and share their experience. Likewise standing at Corbett's elbow when he faced a huge maneating tiger at only a few feet with his trusty 7mm Mauser or .500 double and nary a video camera in sight.
I do agree that perhaps they may have looked with scorn at the weekend hunter or the safari hunter as to them it was a job not a sport and they did not pretend it to be otherwise.

Each to his own I suppose and it seems that Mr Sullivan does supply a need for some hunters what ever that maybe, but like your feelings it would not be for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Comparing a showman who would make Hollywood proud, to the great hunters of the past?!

Nothing can be further from the truth.

David:

Why don't you show Johnny how much you love him and buy him the seminar for his birthday or Christmas!

If you decide to, please let me know. I want to be there to see that!

To those with the congratulatory comments on the buffalo and double rifles, thank you very much for your kind words.

In so much as reading between the lines and concluding something sinister about “initial shots,” rest assured there is not. That is however the result of less than perfect shooting on my part. Unfortunately, I don’t always transfer those always easy and precise target range shots from paper to every animal in a hunting scenario. Sometimes that occurs but not always.

My intention for initiating this post was to pass on the seminar information to my fellow AR members who might be interested in the topic. Regarding the specific details of my hunts, I do not post hunting reports and apologize to those who thought that was my intention. My hunts with Mark will be in one of my upcoming books and the hunts were also taped for DVD production. The DVD will be released for sale in December 2012/January 2013.

I understand and respect your right to hunt with and obtain knowledge and techniques from those whom you choose. After all, it is your safari and the experiences you seek are what you are paying to receive. For what I wanted to learn I can emphatically say I was not disappointed and for me it provided the specific knowledge that I was seeking.

From what I know about the upcoming seminars content, they will provide even more information. Look for an update in Mark’s upcoming November 2011 post when he returns from Tanzania.

Mark Sullivan has his way of promotion.
One safari wonder Robert Ruark wrote " Horn of the Hunter" after his first African safari(with Harry Selby,which resulted in Selby getting a lot of business)

Ruark,Hemingway,Crapstick all embellished/dramatised their accounts of hunts.
Hemingway was disappointed when he shot a lion and it just died, and that’s all.

Its seems some folk like some brands of entertainment/bullshit, but maybe not some others...much like religion and politics.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
Alan was not of those who fawningly "revered" Sullivan, but he obviously respected him and thought he got value for what he paid. Good for him and good for Mark.

Allen Day was a great and generous man(I don't give such praise lightly). Furthermore, he was a great hunter.

Having said that, he did "fawningly revere Mark Sullivan" and a couple of other PHs, along with a gunwriter and gunsmith or two. That is my most lasting criticism of Allen Day. But no one is perfect.

Allen Day was a GREAT man. About 1% of men could be called his equal, and that is a fact.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Fine buffalo. I would love to hear the details of your hunt. In my opinion, the maligning Mark receives from others is unjustified. His book is excellent for its candor, a virtue most modern gun and hunting writers have sold to sponsors. And as for his clients kissing his arse, I can assure you that one of his very satisfied clients from Abilene is not going to kiss anyone's arse and has done more dangerous game hunting than most men dream of in a life time.

+1

Congratulations on your successful hunt and beautiful buffalo! What's the info on your double?

Brett

Nice buffalo,you hunted with THE best, Mark is a class act and a great guy..........

Interesting to see that YET ANOTHER guy with FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE has positive things to say.

Like usual.

As compared to the ...

Nice buffalo and lovely double rifles like usual.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Fine buffalo. I would love to hear the details of your hunt. In my opinion, the maligning Mark receives from others is unjustified. His book is excellent for its candor, a virtue most modern gun and hunting writers have sold to sponsors. And as for his clients kissing his arse, I can assure you that one of his very satisfied clients from Abilene is not going to kiss anyone's arse and has done more dangerous game hunting than most men dream of in a life time.

+1

Congratulations on your successful hunt and beautiful buffalo! What's the info on your double?

Brett

The rifles that were hunted with and pictured in the photo are a Charles Osborne & Co. 577 NE, circa 1910 and a London proofed trade gun sold and labeled through Lawn & Alder (ala Charles Osborne & Co.) .450/.400 3.25” NE, circa 1905. I do not have any historical information on my .450/.400.

My rifle is nothing special other than being a nicely engraved English double but Mark’s double has quite a provenance. Mark shared some history about his .577 at my prodding. I did not take notes but as I recall Mark mentioned his rifle was owned by African PHs Owen Rutherford and Frederick “Deaf” Banks before Mark came to own it. I believe I read previously that the rifle was mentioned in Safari Rifles by Craig.

Very nice! If I had more money and time I'd do a hunt with Mark! Too many places and to little time and money to do them all with everyone!

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martinez:
What a great animal. Thank you for sharing. I would like to read more, did you put in a hunting report?
Unless his teaching seminar is going to include an actual "shoot", would it be conceivable that he will offer a seminar in the states at some time? I believe a novice and some genuinely experienced hunters would enjoy an evening or multi-day seminar as well.
Frank

Thanks for the feedback Frank. I will mention your question and comments to Mark.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
Very nice! If I had more money and time I'd do a hunt with Mark! Too many places and to little time and money to do them all with everyone!

Brett

Money and time is also a problem for me Brett. With a little determination and commitment we can make anything happen if we set priorities and stay focused. Playing the lottery might be an alternative approach as well!

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
the guy is a clown show, and this is a safari company pimping him off...

yep on the pimping...not sure abou the rest...

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
A fine buffalo and sounds like you had a great safari with Mark. Well done... where were you hunting or did I miss it? Thanks!

We were hunting an OA near the villages of Tapika and Ngarambe. I forgot to mention that initially. I have added it to the post. Thanks for the kind words.

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
It isn't clear but it appears that you are some way involved with Mark in this endeavor?

465H&H

I see how it may have looked that way. My involvement is nothing more than sharing the information with my fellow AR members that might have an interest.

This is Mark’s project and I have not been nor will I be compensated for sharing the information. I realize you did not imply that but it seems some others have drawn that conclusion erroneously.

Great buffalo, nice rifles and fabulous hunt. I wish i could afford hunt like that!

quote:

Originally posted by ExpressYourself:

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
Very nice! If I had more money and time I'd do a hunt with Mark! Too many places and to little time and money to do them all with everyone!

Brett

Money and time is also a problem for me Brett. With a little determination and commitment we can make anything happen if we set priorities and stay focused. Playing the lottery might be an alternative approach as well!

Afford...yes....prioritise.....maybe. Right now I'm doing a Marco polo/ibex hunt next year. After that? Not sure.

Brett

I am bumping this post up again for those who might be interested in the DG seminar topic. Mark will be returning soon from Tanzania. He will either be providing an update to this post or he will generate a new post with some additional information as it becomes available.

Very nice buff and glad to see you enjoyed your adventure. I have gone into detail about filming and hunting with Mark in my early Africa days and will not repeat here . But I will say that his close range skill with a double is one reason I am pecking out this response instead up pushing up daisy's. A couple of" kill it or I get bit " situations happened, and I was, and am still happy that such an accomplished shooter was doing his thing with the rifle while I was doing mine with a video camera.
To each his own. Again, congrats on your fine bull.

In the beginning I did not like Mark..however as i have read more from clients who have actually hunted with Mark I do get more respect for his operations...After all Mark does what most hunters really want to do: Go to Africa, shoot game with heavy doubles and live out the dream.

Dave…thanks for the congrats on the buffalo. You know what they say…even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to hunt this bull up close. Great to hear from you! If I am able to make it this year, I will swing by and say hi at DSC.