quote:

Originally posted by Vlam:
JBrown

MacD summed up what I was on about. They are a superb learning tool if nothing else.

With regards to back up PH's and any other "set-ups", I just cant see it. I have worked in wildlife documentary and have filmed some hunting before. From the manor in which his stuff is filmed and due to the quality of the cameraman I am 100% certain that aside from Mark and the client there are no other people involved. People often site the dust flying up behind the buff in one of the films as the "back up" PH, but it is actually the client who is moving away to the right to get a clear shot on the buff. Run it back a bit and it becomes clear.

I may be wrong on this but I do believe that one of the reasons that Mark gets as many charges as he does is that he does not wait after the shot is taken, he goes straight in after the buff before it weakens. As to the provocation of the charge I still go along with the fact that if you are that close to a buffalo then perhaps a certain brain shot is a better option at 10 yards than a possible wounding and charge on an empty gun at 30yards. Either way I was not there so its all just conjecture.

Saeed

Your last post concerns me, not for any other reason than that you have no proof of what you said and have introduced another tool for the anti hunters to use, "PH's leave buffalo to die in the bush when they are scared to go in", " They are more harmfull than the entire poaching community"
Thats all hogwash and I am sure you knew that when you posted it. Emotion driven comments have the ability to do great damage and it is for this reason that we as hunters, owe it to each other to base our comments on truth alone.

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:
Yeah but you know what you gotta respect it because 1 its his opinion and 2 its his site

quote:

Originally posted by Black_Mamba:

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:
Yeah but you know what you gotta respect it because 1 its his opinion and 2 its his site

Look, there is absolutely no reason to go kissing someone's unwiped bunghole just because he owns a website. If you want to kiss a bunghole, I am sure you can do it in your own home town without even logging on to the internet.

Now, if someone has proof that Mr. Sullivan has done something wrong, let him bring it forward. Otherwise watch the videos or not, at your leisure.

quote:

Originally posted by Vlam:
JBrown

MacD summed up what I was on about. They are a superb learning tool if nothing else.

With regards to back up PH's and any other "set-ups", I just cant see it. I have worked in wildlife documentary and have filmed some hunting before. From the manor in which his stuff is filmed and due to the quality of the cameraman I am 100% certain that aside from Mark and the client there are no other people involved. People often site the dust flying up behind the buff in one of the films as the "back up" PH, but it is actually the client who is moving away to the right to get a clear shot on the buff. Run it back a bit and it becomes clear.

I may be wrong on this but I do believe that one of the reasons that Mark gets as many charges as he does is that he does not wait after the shot is taken, he goes straight in after the buff before it weakens. As to the provocation of the charge I still go along with the fact that if you are that close to a buffalo then perhaps a certain brain shot is a better option at 10 yards than a possible wounding and charge on an empty gun at 30yards. Either way I was not there so its all just conjecture.

Saeed

Your last post concerns me, not for any other reason than that you have no proof of what you said and have introduced another tool for the anti hunters to use, "PH's leave buffalo to die in the bush when they are scared to go in", " They are more harmfull than the entire poaching community"
Thats all hogwash and I am sure you knew that when you posted it. Emotion driven comments have the ability to do great damage and it is for this reason that we as hunters, owe it to each other to base our comments on truth alone.

quote:

Originally posted by Vlam:
Saeed

That is still not however proof. It is simply repeating hearsay. You are simply perpetuating a rumor.
We all know that you dont like Sullivan or his manner, that is your choice. But to drive an agenda at every opportunity without ever giving any real proof is not good for anyone, least of all you.

In the grand scheme of things your own manner of conducting your hunts could be brought into question, by someone with different ethical values. Taking 400m shots or jumping out of the truck to "pot" something are two examples where I would have to say that Sullivan's style has more ethical value than does yours.
It is however my take on things and does not lead me to launch a one man attack on your person.
I could stand here and say that "Saeed leaves 20 animals lying in the veld each safari because of testing his accuracy", and that would hold as much water as what you have said now.

I think it comes back to common respect. If you have a problem with the man then go and sort it out with him. Dont hide behind a computer screen and spout out rumors as this makes you nothing more than a gossip and I know that it was not your intention to do so.

quote:

Saying Mark Sullivan is a PH is an insult to the other PHs.

quote:

Originally posted by fatbutnotdead:
Craig Boddingtom, who I’m sure, is a gentleman (I’ve never met the man) seems to be worshiped on this forum and anybody who is a detractor is summarily executed by the “mob”. Ivan Carter, who I have met, is treated the same way, he seems to be worshiped and people line up to pour compliments and accolades in his direction. I spoke to him about a hunt but never had the luxury. I’m sure he also is the up most gentlemen and very qualified professional hunter.

Now, enter Mark Sullivan who I have hunted with, who has the exact same profession as Ivan is continuously maligned. Why, is it the “on camera attitude” is it his success? Or is it that he unlike many of us chose to follow his dream and actually became a professional hunter?

It just to me seems very hypocritical to judge Mark differently than the other two who all “kill for the camera” and for a profession.

quote:

Originally posted by KPete:

I've had the opportunity to meet all three gentlemen, albeit briefly. Each is personable and confident that they hunt in a professional and ethical fashion. But in answer to your question, there are fundamental differences between them. Several of those differences have already been cited in this - and many other posts, but here are a few for your consideration:

1) Boddington & Carter make every effort to achieve one-shot kills. If they are unsuccessful, they immediately follow-up their first shot with as many additional rounds as are required to kill their prey quickly and humanely. Sullivan, on the other hand, has a self-professed dislike for one-shot kills, and always hopes for a wounded buffalo. He says, "I will admit I do not like one-shot kills on buffalo. They do nothing for me. I find them boring. I have often said that the hunt for buffalo begins with the first drops of blood. When a client happens to run a bullet through the engine room, and the bull packs it up a short distance later, I am not elated."

2) As a PH, Carter will only shoot at a client's animal if he feels the first shot was not a killing wound and there is a chance the animal could be lost. Sullivan, with rare exception, will predictably shoot at a client's animal, often simultaneously with the client's first shot. Describing a typical hunt, Sullivan writes, "I yelled for Mark to shoot! At my command, Mark and I yanked our front triggers as if they were one with both shots hitting the brain". And in what can only be humiliating for the client, Sullivan frequently appears gloating before the camera about how his client's shot was off "just a little off the mark", and that his own was the killing shot.

3) Boddington and Carter rarely trumpet their personal skill, expertise, or daring. They are content with letting the viewer decide such matters. Sadly, Sullivan has lately taken every opportunity to compare and contrast his machismo and hunting prowess against those he sees as competing for the public's attention (dead or alive) including Boddington, Dawson, Dowsett, Marsh, Burger, Lake, Woods, and Robertson. Indeed his criticism of these writers and PHs is often scathing, belittling, and sadly infantile. For example, he quotes Kevin Robertson from his book 'Africa's Most Dangerous' as saying, "Listen carefully. If all went well, you should hear the death bellow within a few minutes. It's a sound that, once heard, is instantly recognizable and never forgotten. No matter how many times I hear it, it still gives me a cold shiver. My skin prickles, and the hairs on my arms stands erect." Sullivan follows this up with, "I'm confused here; does this guy have a penis or a vagina? When I hear a buffalo it makes me mad as hell because it means the bull is down never to get up again. It means the hunt for this animal is over."

4) I've never heard or read either Boddington or Carter belittling clients or fellow hunters. They always comport themselves as gentlemen in such matters. Sullivan seems to relish the opportunity to ridicule his clients, other PHs, and hunters in general. About his own clients he writes, "Simply put, clients generally cannot hit the broadside of a barn let alone the broadside of a Cape buffalo (sic) under normal hunting conditions." "Clients are, by their very nature, horrible shots and that is the truth." Later he writes, "I am often asked, 'what does a client have to do before I will take him to experience a buffalo charge?' ... I will only agree to risk your life if I really like you."

5) Boddington and Carter seem to most everyone that have gotten to know them as pretty laid back and non-judgmental. That can hardly be said of Sullivan, who takes everyone in the industry, including his own clients, to task for everything, including their choice in equipment and rifles. For example, Sullivan has a near rabid hatred for, of all things, binocular strap harnesses. He writes, "Nowadays, I see more and more the use of binocular bras, as I like to call them. I see them used so frequently in hunting movies that I am beginning to think it's a status symbol to see whose bra is bigger. I like my women bra-less and my binoculars the same way ... but guys, listen you're way out there if you know what I mean and the look you give off wearing the damn thing reminds me of the Navy's 'don't ask - don't tell' policy" He then alludes to Craig Boddington and Andrew Dawson's 'Boddington on Buffalo' video, and writes, "... both wore binocular bras. The co-producing client added that he has been on over 50 safaris and he wore one too. The instant I saw these guys wearing those bras, I knew they didn't have the balls to walk up to a buffalo and invariably shoot their hippo from the safety of a riverbank..." Interestingly, he wrote this on a page depicting one of his own clients kneeling beside a buffalo - wearing one of his despised 'bino bras'. I'm sure the client feels well respected for this courtesy shown by Mr. Sullivan.

In a further gratuitous swipe at Boddington, he goes on to describe seeing him (though he is careful not to name him) on the same 'Boddington on Buffalo' video wearing a recoil pad at the rifle range. Sullivan says, "A shooting bra, for those of you living in Rio Linda, is a sissy device for sissy shooters that looks like a one-cup bra worn to protect the shooter's shoulder from the gun's recoil. I saw it worn by (Boddington) and never laughed so hard in my life. So much so, I called to my wife to come and see for herself. She came running and sat down beside me and we roared like a couple of lions ... the only thing missing from the ensemble was a nice pencil-eraser nipple. There isn't enough money in the Federal Reserve to get me to wear one because there is no way you will ever get me to look like a pussy." I dare say that a search of Col. Boddington's writings would fail to reveal similar insults about Sullivan or anyone else, for that matter.

6) On such prosaic matters as the proper caliber ammunition for dangerous game, both Boddington and Carter approach the subject in a matter of fact, if not scientific fashion. Indeed, Boddington has written two authoritative books on the subject. Sullivan, on the other hand, has what can only be described as a rather fringe approach to the subject. His personal choice is either a .600 NE or .700 NE for buffalo - pretty extreme, but if that's what floats his boat, why not? What is more difficult to understand is his loathing of double rifles in .470 NE - and apparently the hunters who carry one. Calling it a ladies caliber, he writes, "When your butt is on the line, and push comes to shove; (sic) a .470 is but a spit-wad hitting a blackboard. If anyone tells you differently, they are displaying their ignorance badly. Do not trick yourself into believing a .470 will solve your problems. If anything it may create bigger ones. A .470 is a small gun ... (and is) a good defensive gun, but a poor offensive one." And as with his 'bino bras', he generously posts a photo of his 'best friend' Doug Hart kneeling next to a reedbuck he had shot with a .470 that Sullivan had sold to him! I guess if you're going to be a friend or client of Mr. Sullivan, you had best be prepared to see the less-than solicitous side of him once you're out of his sight.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I felt that perhaps a more detailed examination was finally in order as to reasons for the broad acceptance of Craig Boddington and Ivan Carter on this board versus the general disdain for Mark Sullivan. I don't pretend to have covered all the reasons here, nor can I speak for any other member of AR, but the record is fairly replete with facts that demonstrate that there is a world of difference between these guys, and more than enough cause to "judge them differently" as you said in your post. In sum, Boddington and Carter are hardly "worshipped" by board members as you contend; rather, they are respected for their demeanor, ethics, and contributions to our sport. It is perhaps in these areas that Sullivan falls somewhat short.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
KPete,

This sure makes MS out to be "archetypal white trash."
Lest his "supporters" (jocks instead of bras) accuse you of confabulation, could you cite a source for your quotes?

This source must certainly be more recent than his chest-beating book Death and Double Rifles.
Where does he write this stuff lately?

Mark Sullivan's fixation on women's underwear and human genitalia seems to speak of some insecurity or childhood psychic trauma.
Maybe he was weaned form the breast too soon, or sexually abused as a child, or his mother caught him in a closet at home trying on her underwear and makeup?

quote:

Originally posted by Mvu:
I find it odd that these people who dislike Herr Sullivan still watch his videos.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Saeed,
You stated "I was told by somebody who has a concession in Tanz". I CLEARLY remember being scorned by this forum for saying the same "I know a PH in Zambia who says Capstick was a fraud" without naming names. You can't have it both ways.
Chip

quote:

Originally posted by Alpinejaeger:
Who is this Mark Sullivan. Someone called him Herr Sullivan. Is he German. That is not German name and I have not herd of him if he is from Germany.

Heinz

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Antlers??? whats the difference, looking at your Mark Sullivan collection just now?

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
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quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Antlers??? whats the difference, looking at your Mark Sullivan collection just now?

"I'll just say if you don't see the difference between these three people,without haveing to ask, than in my view, there is no need to comfuse you with facts, your mind is made up!"

What didn't you understand?

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
It seems that if Ivan killed three elephants that charged in the making of his video, unwillingly he is no different than MS. The only difference is that you choose for there to be one.
Chipolopolo

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
So you have seen the video's and can even say which one?

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith