quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:

quote:

Originally posted by maki:
Interestingly, I've been in contact, via another forum, with some one who has booked a hunt with directly with MS. .... and will bet that his first trip to Africa will not be what we all dream of.

We have had two or three past clients of MS speak up and none of them have had negative experiences or safaris that they have not enjoyed.

I take note of first hand experience before anything else, especially hearsay and third hand gossip.

Actually my concern isn't hunting with MS (not that I would) but that he'll be lost in a sea of grass. Some reputable agents don't book in the Selous in July because of it. I also know of one client who got a refund from his safari company because it was agreed he didn't have a realistic chance at a buff on his July hunt in the Selous. I'm not saying you shouldn't bother hunting in high grass, but if you might only get 1 or 2 chances to hunt a buff, why increase the odds of being disappointed?

I'd also have made sure a concession was specified before sending any money, especially in light of the rumours MS won't be asked back to K4.

Dean

Watch MS's videos with the sound off, they really are'nt bad that way, it's only listening to him that iretates you most.

Just to throw my opinion in the mix. I have known Mark and his family for over twenty years.
I have also talked to several people who have hunted with Mark. Firstly it, as many think it's not the money Mark is very well off and has been for years. Ego, maybe, partly.
Mark has always walked to the beat of a different drummer. If you talk to him watch his eyes, he gets the thousand yard stare of an old combat veteren when he talks about hunting. He's not with you any more.
Mark 100% believes what he says about letting the buff or hippo decide how they want to die. As unsettling as it may seem, to you or me, Mark
feels he is showing respect to the animal. He bestows a greater belief of noblity and courage to the animals he hunts than I or any I know thinks they really have. He does not believe in cruelity, any more than any hunter who lets dangerous game lie up, or a bow hunter, who wisely doesn't push after game just arrowed.
Mark states his opinions and goes about his way. I have never seen him do more than state his opinion and allow others make their own decisions. Unfortunatly to the unease of many he
gives DG the same decisions. Right or wrong, I don't know, but it seems none that I have met
who have hunted with him are complaining.

[quote]Never hunted with Mark sullivan, but I know someone who has and on more than one occassion. He speaks highly of the man, to the point that he says is the hardest working, most motivated PH he's hunted with. Matter of fact, he's even on two of Mark's videos.[quote]

I can't believe he made it off the cutting room floor. Dumping a Buffalo with one shot from a .300 Win Mag doesn't make for good video sales.

BOWHUNR

What a lot of posters don't seem to grasp is that MS has 2 occupation with regards hunting;
1- Making DG videos
2- Guiding hunting safaris

These are very different IMO.

In the first instance, I believe he "self-finances" the "hunt" in order to produce a video depicting as many DG charges as possible. If he can throw in a "client" figure in the context of the video then he does. These clients know beforehand what they are getting into and what the rules are with regards him participating in the shooting.

In the 2nd instance, he guides a full paying client on a hunt - which he films - and if some or all of that hunt footage suits his DG video criteria, it will be part of the video. In this instance, the client shoots their game - such as in most of his earlier video, especially those on the lion hunting which HE DOES NOT shoot/wound, etc.

Not all his video footage is "corrupt" with poor ethics, etc. as for his commentary well, everyone is different and I have met many other PH's as well as clients who have just as much of an ego as he displays

Turn off the sound and enjoy his product. What is an interesting question to me is : How is it, after all this time, that on one in this small industry has even come close to the quality of videography and production that MS puts out?Gosh, in comparison the competitors product looks like a series of home movies. Any members know of JUST ONE that compares in quality?

Guys and Gals, Whether you like him or not MS is a GREAT promoter. He knows how to sell things and get them into your hands. He is making a living for himself. There are all sorts of folks out there today doing things just like him. Whether it be computers, rifles, scent blockers or binos its all the same.

No I would not hunt with him. No I don't agree with his tactics. Yes he's hunting for free. On and on it goes. I meet him at the NRA show in Houston, Texas in 2005. He's a likeable guy. Very easy to talk to and visit with. He's just trying to make a living.

It all boils down to one thing - WHERE ARE YOUR ETHICS AND WHERE IS THE LINE.

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Turn off the sound and enjoy his product. What is an interesting question to me is : How is it, after all this time, that on one in this small industry has even come close to the quality of videography and production that MS puts out?Gosh, in comparison the competitors product looks like a series of home movies. Any members know of JUST ONE that compares in quality?

Sable Trail Productions, Marc Watts and videographer Kappie have better production values in many ways than MS's.

I do not wish to now turn to bashing them for getting shots of one-shot Zebra kills at over 500 yards with a .300 Jarrett, but rather concentrate on the many other positives I have found in those films.

They are all doing it to make a buck, many bucks.

Except Saeed. He has enough bucks already, and IIRC he dropped an eland at over 500 yards with a .270 wildcat on one of his video clips in the archives.

When you're good, you're good.

Kids, don't try that at home until you are ready. Practice, practice, practice.

quote:

Originally posted by T:
I'm waiting for him to purposely wound a leopard, then wade in.
I didn't think so.

This pretty much says all that needs to be said.

Only some animals are allowed "to choose how they are to die in battle."

This is an old, old subject around here.

But even so, seldom can I manage, in good conscience, to refrain from condemning this man and his practices for what they are: unethical, ego-centric, ridiculous, pernicious and inimical to all that true dangerous game hunters should stand for and uphold.

The Danish "Hunters Video" buffalo and elephant DVDs are excellent.

Nitro- Where would I source those? thanks.

Crane: here is their homepage:

http://www.huntersvideo.dk/index.php?lang=UK

I like their videos too, there isn't any unnecessary hassle or MS-style drama in them. Just real hunting and good quality production.