Dave - Maybe a few clarifications to some of your statements might be of help here? Who are/where members of YOUR team prior to CB? So in your own words CB was just a fine writer for YOUR team? Geez, I always thought he was the lead and you were the cameraman??? What is a combined profession? How does one have "less than zero knowledge about" something? Just wondering?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Nganga
FYI, each member of our team were involved, invested, and veterans of our combined profession before CB was anything other than a fine writer to us. Safari Classics was producing African video long before any arrangement with CB was even an idea in the back of our combined heads. You obviously are a great fan of CB. Thats great. He will continue to have a presence in this game for as long as he wishes I would imagine and you can admire him from a new platform.But you might want to tap the brakes a bit on a situation you have exactly less than zero knowledge about.

I really don't care if Tonys' hat is sponsored by Beretta or SCI. It's a cool hat. UEG, do you have a pic of you and your Rich Rand hat?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Maybe Larry would like it if it was sponsored by SCI.

Dave

Sitting here watching Sullivan's, "Mbogo". Did you also make Mark Sullivan's videos a success?

And how in the world do you know what I do and do not know?

I also watch TAA , however only on occassion (was never a huge fan even with CB), but agree that as of late it has become a bit more ho-hum, although I don't think it's Ivan.
For me, I'm a bit tired of hunting with CHIFUTI, that's all. Would love to see the show live up to its name but until then it should really be called Tracks Across Zimbabwe.
Sorry Dave, as I hate to be so negative but you have to admit that your interests are a little conflicted here, aren't they?


Scott

a tip for you Dave. Make your website so you can stream the episodes for a fee. Its a big world out there with alot of hunters !

Anton

Anton I agree 100%. And have suggested the same. I don't have cable and don't watch TV anyway but would easily pay a nominal fee for a years worth of TAA. Plus there could be opportunities for extras.

I like TAA, the guy with the Beretta hat, all of them. I am glad they produce and show these on TV. Maybe we are too critical. Thank you Safari Classics and all the other outfits who do "africa".

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
a tip for you Dave. Make your website so you can stream the episodes for a fee. Its a big world out there with alot of hunters !

Anton

GREAT IDEA!!!

Dave;

I see a reference to one of Mark Sullivan's videos. Did you film those? If so, which ones? Just curious.

Thanks.

quote:

As you can see, I make no judgement about the show, you, Ivan or anybody else on the new show. I do however watch you and your short fuse say incendiary things to anybody who says the least little thing negative about you or your show.


Steve

Reading Dave's posts with his overly defensive and snarky comments is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I honestly don't think he realizes the damage this does to his reputation or his company. I've seen him threaten to knock people on their butts. Challenge them to come by his booth and make "same" comments to his face. The list goes on and on. There is no such thing as positive criticism with Mr. Fulson, he takes everything as a threat. I once stated that I am not big fan of Craig Boddington's writing style (and I'm still not BTW) you would have thought I insulted Dave's mother and rather badly at that.

Dave is obviously proud of his product and with good reason. He produces some of the finest outdoors film available. Somebody at Safari Classics however should take his internet privileges away as he is not doing himself or his company any favors with the free fire and verbal fragging that he like to lob about.

I wouldn't book a hunt with Dave under any circumstances for any reason and the same goes for anybody involved with Safari Classics. For that reason Ivan is off the list too, I simply will not deal with anybody that is associated with this type of attitude.

Tracks Across Africa, just not the same. Spot on, it's better.

Gosh, I never figured out that this was the Fulson/Carter Conglomerate. I lead a sheltered life, I guess.

I thought they went to PHs with a good reputation and worked a deal to do some shows. I was sort of hoping that Ivan was a short term fill in until CTB came back.

Maybe I should suggest to SCI that they cut a deal with Buzz. A bit of self-effacing humor every so often would be nice.

I am also not interested in fat old guys that are worse shots than I am waddling around and seeing Ivan do his impersonation of Mark Sullivan shooting/killing clients game.

We miss you Craig...

Rich

Well, I'll be darned. I've just had an epiphany. I knew that hat on the Beretta webpage wasn't the same. Hell, Rand lives down the street from me.

Think I'll go get one with a wolf band around the crown and start a T.V. show called Tracks Across Montana. Maybe Ivan would jump ship and be the PH.

Ever notice how the longer these threads get, somebody's gonna get pissed? Tracks are the same, just different page (2 and counting).

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:

We miss you Craig...

Rich

Get a room!!

Seeing Ivan on the show is refreshing. He might help a younger crowd get more interested in hunting Africa. I prefer to read Boddington's articles more than I did watching him on TV.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Maybe Larry would like it if it was sponsored by SCI.

ABSOLUTELY CLASSIC COMMENT!!

Larry: My hat is currently being re-adjusted for fit and is with Rich in Billings. It was just a little tight for my liking. When I get it back I'll send you a pm and a pic.

I must confess that I prefer Tracks Across the Kardashians. More danger and drama both.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Larry, our show is quite different today, and will be more so in upcoming episodes. The" magic" you allude to is gone for several reasons, countless reasons actually, yet I continue to try to take a high road regarding the changes you speak of. But let me crystal clear on one thing, and it is a very important thing when you produce 39 dangerous game episodes a year. Ivan brings a dedication unmatched in our years of producing outdoor TV , with over 200 days afield spent dedicated entirely to the common good of our TV series and our sponsor partners. It has been a transition that has been seemless and enjoyable on our end, and the change is paying dividends in many ways that will soon come to light. Things, business, and people change- human nature. We are no different. I am beyond happy with our change, and believe our audience will be as well. You may disagree, it will not be the first time for that. Your guy will be doing his thing, we will do ours. It is not a one or the other situation in my mind, but the viewer, as he always does , can make up his own mind. As for the conservation message you seem so bored with, well DSC and Safari Classics believe in the message, need, and production of that weekly message. It will not be changing . Sorry if conservation messages are of no import to you. Unfortunately many people around the globe share your feelings. We see the items discussed as rather important to all who love Africa and the safari life. By the way, we have five full time videographers working for us, so compliments on the footage goes to them.

You failed to mention not having to deal with a certain daughter of a high profile hunter who brings a bit too much drama to the work.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
1. Ivan is a great PH. No doubt about it. It seems too cozy between TAA and Ivan Carter. To have a PH and his clients every week is not good. Or, just change the name to the "Ivan Carter Safari Company" and be done with it.


Rich, you do understand the relationship of the parties concerned, don't you. Ivan IS part of Safari Classics.


I would suggest that TAA make a clean break with the past. For me, the new format would feature a different country each episode in rotation, and some variety in animals and Safari Companies.

You do realize that Safari Classics is the Exclusive Booking Agent for Chifuti Safaris, right?


Do a segment or two with Buzz Charlton. If you have ever been around him for ten minutes, you know what I am talking about.

See above comment! I agree with your assessment of Buzz. He is the guy I hunt with every year. But to ask TAA / Safari Classics to do a segment with Buzz is like asking the local BMW dealership to make you a deal on a Mercedes. They are in competition with each other. It's not a negative thing, just questioning whether or not you understand the dynamics at play here.

Take me to RSA and show me the quality hunts that can take place on high fenced large acreage game farms.

There are plenty of plains game hunting shows on already. Dangerous Game is what sets TAA apart. It's what makes them special and differentiates them from the others.

I like the new show. I also liked the old but things change and people go their different ways. I'm glad to see Dave, Tim, and Ivan carry on with the quality of the show. It's different from the previous episodes, but I think the quality is still there. To me, that's what counts. Keep up the good work fellas!

What Todd just said plus -

1. This is a business. Changes happen. CB is a great guy. IC is a great guy. I am a fan of the show NCIS. Kate Todd was killed off and Ziva David replaced her. I almost quit watching but now really like the change - change happens and mostly for the good.

2. This is a business. Buzz can start a competing show if he wants to. I would like to see it actually as he has to be better than the two bozo's who are on the Bushnell sponsered show.

3. This is a business. It could fail and Fulson etal would have to try something else.

4. People change. Doing a mess of shows each year with the same guy gets stale. Change is good.


Keep up the great work guys.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I must confess that I prefer Tracks Across the Kardashians. More danger and drama both.

I would watch that!!!!!!!

Dave,

The conservation message is OK with me. The commercialism is toned down to acceptable levels. I like the format of the show and think you're doing well. Keep up a broad array of locations, outfitters, PHs, and animals. I'm watching and enjoying as much as ever! Congratulations Dave, Tim, and Ivan!!!

Brett

The thing that I have always thought about TAA is that while it has always been a great quality show it started repeating itself over and over again. Chifuti safaris is without question one of the great outfits in Zimbabwe but I got tired of seeing it week after week after week.

While it is true that there are other shows that cover plains game none are of the quality of TAA. I can't stand watching Adventures Abroad and I watched the absolute worst show the other day where the "hunters" were taking incredibly long shots on game with sniper rifles. That is shooting,not hunting.

Use the TAA format and apply it to somewhere besides the Zambezi Valley. Showcase your abilities by focusing on non-dangerous game so that the audience can see what these hunts could or should be like. You would completely blow the other shows away.

TAA is a bit of misnomer as they never seem to leave the valley. Just think how many would have heard of Andrew Dawson if Geoff Broom had not broken an ankle.

I look forward to TAA every week, DVR it & a few others.
Enjoyed the show from the beginning & still do.
Not a critisism, but I do miss CB's insight from a clients point of view. He gave a lot of good advice on what a traveling hunter needed to bring & what to leave at home. I listened & followed that advice & it helped make my safaris better.
As for IC, I think he's got to be one of the bravest people I've ever seen.
No doudt there are many others, I just haven't seen them yet.
Keep up the excellent work Dave.

I like and miss Craig. Craig is a friend of mine. That said, I still very much enjoy TAA and I really like Ivan Carter's enthusiasm and character. Good work Dave & TAA! No if you could only bring down your charter prices to hunt with Chifuti....jorge

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Gosh, I never figured out that this was the Fulson/Carter Conglomerate. I lead a sheltered life, I guess.

Don't feel bad. I didn't realize the extent of their involvement with each other either. Not good or bad, but that is just how stuff is today.

Well, it's a hard one to win boys. I cannot win with some of you although I have truly tried. Thats OK too. The fact that I take pride in what we do does lead me into choppy waters from time to time. Blame it on me, not my partners. To draining to go on with this thread, so a final word or two on a couple of questions. Yes , Safari Classics is the American representative for Chifuti. Most know that, and we have advertised the fact for years. BUT, in 26 episodes of TAA in 2011 we hunted Zim, South Africa, Mozambique, CAR, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania and Botswana.That pretty much covers Africa as far as hunting destinations last time I checked. Perhaps it is indeed a waste of time to try to explain, inform, or in many cases defend our product on AR is it is far from a large share of our ever growing audience. The thing is though, it has been a group of guys who's opinions we truly respect in the majority of cases. Lots of great guys here. Some of our personalities do not mesh, I get that. But, and I truly hope this is true, for those of you who know me personally from hunting and shows, I am not the firebreather some have painted me. I defend when necessary, but try to listen when asked. I have done so countless times on this forum. To some like Surestrike , who made it very clear with his post how he sees me personally, I guess thats just where we are and will stay. I understand that he still dislikes my "defensive attitude" when under attack, and there is still the grudge he holds from a safari he booked in Zim with a guy I do not know, never met, and was making promises myself or Chifuti was not aware of or able to make right in Greg's eyes. But in fairness Greg, The offer I made two years ago on the phone to come to our booth, sit down and discuss like gentlemen is still open. All the ingredients for that discussion have been in place for two years at both DSC and SCI with your presence the only missing part. I thought we were past that, and I am dead serious when I say I am sorry we are not as I think we would like each other if we got to know each other. Guys, CB is no longer our host, Ivan is, that is the fact. Some may like it, some may not. Either way we will continue to the best of our ability to improve our product, stay true to our audience, strive to make a honest living, and make as many friends and as few bad impressions as possible on the way. Guys, I am just going to stop , if possible, taking the pounding from some here to heart. As some have pointed out, there are other African shows out there if our stuff does not float your boat. But, in closing, to our friends who enjoy our work, and have taken our backs when they felt moved to do so, THANK YOU from a deep place in my hunters heart.

I enjoyed the shows that Craig hosted but realize that change is inevitable. Ivan is an excellent replacement in my opinion if a change needed to be made. I don't know why a change was necessary but I suspect it was a business decision that I don't need to know about. Ivan has a wealth of knowledge about elephant and elephant hunting. I hope he will share that knowledge with us in future episodes.

465H&H

quote:

To some like Surestrike , who made it very clear with his post how he sees me personally, I guess thats just where we are and will stay. I understand that he still dislikes my "defensive attitude" when under attack, and there is still the grudge he holds from a safari he booked in Zim with a guy I do not know, never met, and was making promises myself or Chifuti was not aware of or able to make right in Greg's eyes. But in fairness Greg, The offer I made two years ago on the phone to come to our booth, sit down and discuss like gentlemen is still open. All the ingredients for that discussion have been in place for two years at both DSC and SCI with your presence the only missing part.

Unfortunately Dave,

My current schedule seldom affords me the time during one of the Safari Club conventions to break away. I am either in the middle of a trip or have only a few days at home in between and spending time with my wife and children are far more important than slipping out to Nevada or Dallas for the pleasure of your company, no insult intended.

With that in mind and as we agreed to, yet you never followed through on, a simple telephone call from Andrew would have and still will suffice.

When we had our little love fest and apologized to each other a few years ago on this site, that was predicated on a promise by you that I'd be getting a phone call from Andrew personally and that we would get it all sorted, no worries..

A phone call from Andrew has still not happened and it is still the ONLY thing that I've agreed to. While I've told you that I would enjoy heading out to one of the conventions and speaking to you if it worked out I am simply not going to make a special trip spending my time and money to have a conversation that can easily be done on a phone. I travel an average 18 days a month my time at home is precious.

You've made multiple incorrect assumptions regarding this situation and have admitted as much to me, which is why we made the mutual agreement to let Andrew take it over.

Still waiting.

I closing I am shocked that a man of your otherwise stellar reputation would let something like this continue to fester. The ball is and has been in your court for quite some time now. Don't try and play me for a fool you know good and well that I didn't find "some PH" off the street who made an illegal deal to slip in and hunt the Dande. The daily fees and permission to hunt was agreed to by Chifutti, the deal was made, the papers were signed and the PH was an old time hunter whom has a very good reputation and was hunting the Dande with Swainsons just the year prior and had been hunting the area for a decade prior to that and one I'd hunted with and booked clients with prior as well. He is quite familiar and popular with all hunters and staff in the Dande apparently you are the one and only member of Chifuitti who doesn't know anything about him. Sometime after the conclusion of the hunt the contracted daily fee was increased on the final bill. Zimbabwe says you demanded the increase, you say it was the guys in Zimbabwe. Somewhere in between lies the truth.

Here is the cycle Dave, in case you don't understand what's happening. You make a promise the content of which placates me temporarily. You don't follow through on your promise. Cycle starts over again.

I am not holding my breath.

Regards

Greg

I enjoyed CB and I also enjoy Ivan. Keep filming as much as possible so we are not left with endless nonstop whitetail bowhunting shows.

I like most of Boddington's writing. I love his books. I wish he was more more forthcoming on who pays what on his trips, but all writers seem to suffer from this.

That said, I don't see what CB did that added to the show. Seriously. Ivan is no better or worse; the guy simply introduces the show. The show is not about the host; it is about the hunters.

What I love about TAA is ordinary guys shooting stuff. Last night I watched the one where a guy shot a hippo then a croc. He was an ordinary guy. I don't want to see any more "outdoor personalities" shooting stuff. And I damn don't care to see their wives (or fathers or daughters) do it either. Newsflash: there was only one Eleanor O'Connor.

I have stopped watching Shockey. He used to produce a good show when it was mostly his clients shooting stuff. But I have a really hard time watching a show whose only purpose seems to be to provide/pay for unlimited hunting for one guy. But I do appreciate Shockey's business acumen; I assume he funded the show he produces. Takes balls to start your own thing.

Dave, keep up the good work.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanderhoef:

....Sorry Dave, as I hate to be so negative but you have to admit that your interests are a little conflicted here, aren't they?


Scott

I will defend Dave and TAA on this. It is his/their show to promote their own business interests. He has no obligation to provide any other point of view or interest. TAA never offers itself as some independent, unbiased show on african hunting. Sure, many of us would like to see other stuff, but it is their show to film what they wish to film and present what they feel is best for their and their sponsors interests. Only time will tell if the choices they make are a good or poor strategy either in the long term or short term.

I try to watch any and all presentations of Africa on TAA, UWS, and Shockey. I live the fantasy of many of the hunts presented knowing I'll never have the resources to afford them. For the most part they present the hunting style and emphasis I remember reading about as a kid when I immersed myself in the old Africa hunting classics. What I don't like is some guy shooting at game at 400+ yards and talking about "hunting". As far as I'm aware, none of the three productions indicated above have included long range shooting in their storyline. Well done. I like Col. Bodington, Ivan Carter, Jim Shockey, and, increasingly, Tony Makaris. I remember something I was told about 26 years ago: "Life is nothing but a series of "hellos" and "goodbyes." Sounds about right with AFrica hunting shows, too.

quote:

Originally posted by Upton O. Good:
What I don't like is some guy shooting at game at 400+ yards and talking about "hunting". As far as I'm aware, none of the three productions indicated above have included long range shooting in their storyline. Well done.

Upton:

CB has criticized these shows in the past, and I appreciate it. I shoot at least once a week at 800 plus yards and I am here to tell you, it is too far to be shooting at game animals. It is not a simple question of holding up your wind meter and dialing in the range. Unless your idea of "sporting" is having less than a 90 percent chance of connecting.

Oh, let's not forget the trophy fee when you wound something - any surprise we don't see "Best of the West" hunting in Africa, or for that matter, any well known or respected guide service here in the US?

The show I saw that disgusted me was called The Extreme Outer Limits and I was watching them shoot animals at about 600 yards laying on shooting mats and using spotting scopes and laser range finders. The fact that the show is sponsored by McMillan has something to do with how they "hunted".

TAA could do a much better job of showing real hunting than these kinds of stunts.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
This is like trying to discuss different tastes in music.

When the guy with the big hat opens his journal and tries to channel Hemingway, I almost puke and change the channel.

Big +1, TM may be a great guy? But he just rubs me the wrong way. I can not watch the show with him in it.

rxgremlin, I never saw the show you refer to, but from the show title I would not believe it was a "hunting" show rather a shooting show and it sounds like that is just what it was. If you are into long range shooting I would asume the show would be of interest. I am not a bit fan of the "fester stick" shows, but many are.