Scan the SCI record books to see if you can find him listed as the PH for any of the entries. I tried this one and did find some. Not many but I did find them.

This may or may not prove how involved he was as many people do not record their animals. Personally, I have,'t turned any in since 1991.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Congo,
If you wish I will send you the collection before I get Hay Mans address and you decide for yourself. Watching the videos I found it extremely hard to believe the was the same guy who wrote those wonderful stories. I just want these dvds out of my collection of Mark Sullivan videos. Your Elmer Keith point. He was for real. Go to Cabelas in Boise and have a look at the EK display. he was a true amarican sportsman

You want the Capstick videos out of your Mark Sulivan video collection? And you're bashing Capstick??

A good friend of mine, who has been to Africa 80+ times over the past 30 years told me point blank that Capstick was a fraud, but a good writer. He knew Capstick in the bars in various countries. He never knew him as much of hunter, let alone a PH.

All of that said, I liked the books as I like fiction with a hint of truth.

Capstick was a heck of a writer.

He may not have been much of a hunter.

He is most certainly dead, let the guy rest in peace.

Whitworth,
Is there any doubt in anybody's mind that Mark Sullivan holds a valid PH license? Mark Sullivan while being controversial handles a big double like a man and shoots them well. He also is very very different away from the cameras. he lived here till late last year and I've spent quite alot of time around him, if his hunting style is not for you so be it, HE sir is not a FRAUD.

I had the pleasure to speak to PHC when he lived in Naples, Fl. Was on vacation in ST. Pete and called information and the rest is history... I read Death in the Long Grass to many times to count among other books also..
We talked about hunting and Africa and many years later I lived my dream by going on three safaris...
I have read Ruark's books and I personally like Peter's better..
These men made us dream and many of us made our dreams come true...

Mike

chipolopolo

First let me apologize, I should never have made the attack personal. That was totally uncalled for. Thanks for your offer of the Capstick series, but I already have them.
I agree that the person on the DVD's does not really "seem" like the same person, but I think it probably had something to do with "dramatic license", so to speak, for the viewing audience. I think that most people would find a hunt pretty boring for the most part, up until the part where the game is shot. I also think that Mark Sullivan, (I have seen about 5 of his videos), hams it up a bit in his videos. I personally don't care for his style. It appears that in some of his videos, he has let the animal suffer too long trying to provoke a charge so as to be more dramatic or exciting.
Again, my opinion.
I am a firm believer in EK and have read and re-read most of his books. I have a hammer on one of my S&W .44 magnums that was a gift from EK. It is shaped quite a bit differently.
Again, thanks for the offer and please accept my apology for the personal attack.

Congo,
No appoligies required here, I knew when penning the post I would be shot at with many large caliber weapons. My skin is thick enough. It similar to DG hunting posting around here sometimes. You just might come out in 2nd place.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Whitworth,
Is there any doubt in anybody's mind that Mark Sullivan holds a valid PH license? Mark Sullivan while being controversial handles a big double like a man and shoots them well. He also is very very different away from the cameras. he lived here till late last year and I've spent quite alot of time around him, if his hunting style is not for you so be it, HE sir is not a FRAUD.

Chipolopolo,

Whilst we are all entitled to our opinion, I feel that it is YOU sir who is completely incorrect. Are you absolutely certain that Capstick never had a PH license? Remember that attaining a PH license in days gone by did not entail what it does today. I know several long standing PH's in this country who were given honorary licenses way back when, based on their experience. They did not sit any official exams and are still some of Africa's best PH's. I don't know what other countries did way back when, but am sure that Ganyana or someone else will be able to tell you the exact year that official examinations began in Zim.

I am no big fan of Peter Captstick, but I do appreciate the immense contribution he made to African hunting. On the other hand, your hero Mark Sullivan, 'Razor' Dobbs and other glory boy movie stars have done nothing at all for hunting, besides shed it in a bad light and making a heap of money portraying our worthy tradition as something it is not. I concede that Sullivan is incredible with a double rifle, so what? Is that how we judge a fellow insofar as hunting or anything is concerned? How childish. I know a number of guys who are extremely competent with a double rifle. The difference is that they are also ethical hunters and don't have to bathe in an on tape bloodbath of five charging hippo a season to prove it. Again, how childish. If Mark Sullivan claims to be an ethical hunter, then he is indeed a fraud. It is telling that he is 'very very different away from the cameras'.

In conclusion, let me say that if Capstick is not your style, then so be it. I don't think his estate is going to mourn your loss as a fan.

Best wishes and happy, ethical hunting

Dave

Read Capstick, enjoy his superb writing style and treat his stories as fiction based on some fact. Your life will be happier that way.

465H&H

I have read or been told by numerous people that Kieth, Capstick, O'Conner, Fred Bear, Bell, Tayler, and several others were all frauds. I take it all with a large grain of salt. Probably a few facts have been embellished for literary purposes, so what! These claims of fraud only makes me wonder about the reliability of the source. I have thoroughly enjoyed and been inspired by all of them.

Mr Hulme, I didn't think my hero worship would show through as it does , but your jumping to several conclusions, first if you read my post it states that "I have come to the conclusion" that is in fact my opinion and just that. It is also just your opinion about MS. I agree his videos are a bloodbath but isn't that why we watch them? We are in fact involved in a bloodsport, his videos are just a higher degree of what we all willingly participate in. Blood will alway be shed. Do the animals needlessly suffer? maybe. But if needless suffering is the problem may I suggest a different sport. I'm sure if you were to meet any celebrity they are all different in person than in front of a camera.

I too love Capsticks africana and even his dramatic license at times and would never say that he was a fraud in any way. It does bother me that, for a man that seemed to take meticulous notes on his adventures over the years, that he never seemed to have photographs of any of his early hunting, even photos taken by his clients. Has anyone ever seen a photo of PHC with a trophy of any sort from his "Death in the..." period? Or even a camp photo? Is there any hunter out there that has a photo of PHC from their personal collection. Nobody who wrote such great prose and is now gone has to prove anything to us, but it seems to me that there should be some evidence besides his stories that he ever stepped foot in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Hay Man,
Bill Murray from caddy shack would be more at home in the bush than PHC, just watch the videos man, Send me your address and I'll send you the whole worthless joke of a video collection including the guy with the Bee gee glasses and the John Stockton basketball shorts.
Chipolopolo

It was Ken Wilson, I think.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Congo,
If you wish I will send you the collection before I get Hay Mans address and you decide for yourself. Watching the videos I found it extremely hard to believe the was the same guy who wrote those wonderful stories. I just want these dvds out of my collection of Mark Sullivan videos. Your Elmer Keith point. He was for real. Go to Cabelas in Boise and have a look at the EK display. he was a true amarican sportsman

Your slamming Capstick and you have Sullivan video's. Capstick is probably responsible for more people around the globe going to Africa to hunt than any other story teller. I don't care if he's a fraud or not he could tell a story. I grew up reading his stories and dreaming of the dark continent.He is responsible for some of my best memories and a trophy room with some of the coolest mounts.And also for a empty bank account. Anyone who say's "I just want these dvds out of my collection of Mark Sullivan videos." is either a or a

Capstick was a hunter, and writer not an actor, and it is true his film persona is a little sappy! Those films were made at a time when no-one else was makeing them, and the filming, it's self, was broacast quality, something that couldn't be said for the few others on the market at the time.

His dress may seem a little unusual to many of you guys,that is understandable, because may of you guys were still in grade school when those hunts took place. However, if you look at pictures of other hunters of the 70s and early 80s, he was dressed no differently than most of the day. If you look at most Amreaican hunters today in Africa, you will see baggy hip-hop shorts to the calf of the leg, but look at the PH, his shorts will be like they were 30 yrs ago. In the 70's and 80s most safari hunters wore vests, or shortsleaved safari jackets with bullet loops at the wasit, or on the chest. The monocal was a bit silly, and the shiny pin on his ber`et was just a stupid mistake, that happened to be on the hat when he got it, I'm sure.

In any event, in regard to his acting, how do any of you think you would do, when some one poked a camera in your face, and wanted you to say something off the top of your head, that sounded profound? Hunting films have come a long way from the mid seventies, and early eighties, when those hunts were filmed.

For myself, I couldn't act my way out of a wet paper bag, but that has nothing to do with my hunting prowess, or knowledge of game, and their habits, and body language, or my willingness to stand my ground with those who want to pay me a visit, and sort me out!


OPINIONS: Opinions are like ass holes, everybody has one, and one is about as good as the next!

ASSHOLES: Are like opinions every forum has at least one!


...........

....................

Mac,
I don't mind being called an asshole by you, I always have felt our sport is best left to gentlemen, you sir have exhibited that politics may be for you. I have never gotten personal in any post I have ever made and will forever refrain from doing so, as I value and enjoy reading everybody's opines. My skin is sufficently thick for this.

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Mr Hulme, I didn't think my hero worship would show through as it does , but your jumping to several conclusions, first if you read my post it states that "I have come to the conclusion" that is in fact my opinion and just that. It is also just your opinion about MS. I agree his videos are a bloodbath but isn't that why we watch them? We are in fact involved in a bloodsport, his videos are just a higher degree of what we all willingly participate in. Blood will alway be shed. Do the animals needlessly suffer? maybe. But if needless suffering is the problem may I suggest a different sport. I'm sure if you were to meet any celebrity they are all different in person than in front of a camera.

Mr chipolopolo,

I do not watch hunting videos to see a bloodbath, and neither do I hunt for that reason. I am certain that the vast majority of hunters feel the same way. Furthermore, I do not watch Mark Sullivan movies ever. I once had the misfortune of watching some of his footage and vowed never again. It is not a case of 'maybe' there is needless suffering in his videos, there is no doubt that there is a great deal of it. Those who hunt all understand suffering, but there is a vast difference between suffering and needless suffering. Similiarly, dangerous game hunters understand that they could face a charge at any time during the course of a hunt, but that they probably won't be charged on a daily basis. Capstick or Sullivan? To live the hunt, really feel it? No contest.

Dave

Oops, let me clarify that that is all my humble opinion...

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Mac,
I don't mind being called an asshole by you, I always have felt our sport is best left to gentlemen, you sir have exhibited that politics may be for you. I have never gotten personal in any post I have ever made and will forever refrain from doing so, as I value and enjoy reading everybody's opines. My skin is sufficently thick for this.

chipolopolo, don't take yourself so seriously, I never mentioned you personally. There are 56 posts in this thread, and your's is only one opinion. There are pleanty more people, it seems, that agree with you, than with me on the subject of PHC! There are assholes on both sides of this debate. Most here never even met Peter, but there are several of us on this web-site who knew PHC, at least casually, me encluded, and I found him to be a very nice man, and far more knowledgable than most of the people who try to tear him down. It does no good for some one who didn't know him to ask someone else who didn't know him, about him. You know, blind leading the blind. Ask people who knew him and hunted with him if you want to know the real Peter Capstick!


My objection to these lychings is, most who join in on them are like the mobs that destroy cities because thier team "WINS", no ryme, or reason! They simply can't stand to let things run smoothly, an like burning someone else's car that had nothing to do with anything, is exactly the same as trashing a person who you do not know, and is dead and can't sue you for slander! That sir, doesn't sound like a gentleman to me!

I'm sorry if my opinion veries from your's, but I guess we will both have to simply live with that fact!

What I find most pitiful about this post is that chipo is lurking, just waiting for a response to a post he knows will raise a ruckus. Just note how soon after someone posts that chipo responds. This shows a decided lack of life and attention that should have been taken care of by his progenitors but now he sees fit to seek it on this board.

Those who seek their self-respect prove their lack thereof.

So chipo, you watched, read, and formed an opinion. When you do something actually worthwhile, please feel free to post it as well as your current worthless findings.


_Baxter

Yep,
just sitting here in my underwear in my parents basement
That CHIPOLOPOLO, do you even know what that means?

Hey Mac ... Unfortunately PHC brought this post mortem disparaging on himself . His influence in writing A Man Called Lion gets him this treatment and will for ever ..........It can,t be different because he can not change what he wrote .... He stated that Pondoro was a homosexual ,, Other people state that PHC was a lyin drunken bar tender .......PHC didn,t know Pondoro ,, Other people didn,t know PHC ......


That which a man sows , that also shall he reap ....


I understand that you knew him and very much enjoyed being his friend , thats great,, however things he did cause the situation that now is ... You defending him can,t change that ...Perhaps you would do yourself a favor by avoiding these threads ...

He wrote a good biography about Bell, but passed on alot of misinformation also. He did not research enough, and relied on the stories of others to fill his books. All the way from how to hunt leopards,(never saw his scars that he supposedly had)to proper shots on Elephant, he copied other peoples writing and ideas. I have been trying to contact his wife, for info on where he found the info on Bell,(never known anywhere else)as I am writing a book on Bell, and would like to autheticate the stories. No answer yet, although I have called several times.PHC may be a legitimate writer of his own exploits, but the jury is still out.

I am always somewhat amused by the venom that seems to come out when we "discuss" Capstick or other writers who have made a living writing about hunting in Africa. A little jealous maybe?
On my first hunt in Botswana I asked my PH about Capstick. According to him, not a contemporary of Capstick but an associate of Capstick's contemporaries; Capstick did hold a Botswana PH license and did guide, I believe for Safari South, or perhaps Ker & Downey.
He did however find the bar in the Riley Hotel in Maun to be a good source for information to use in his writings. As for those who were the source of that information; they reaped such a big benefit in new clients drawn to Africa by his writings that they had no ill feelings regarding Capsticks use of their stories. If they don't care, why should I?
Like other writers, Capstick tried to give his readers the sense of being in Africa, the smell of the campfire, the warmth of the sun and the the bitter, metallic taste of disappointment and fear when a shot goes bad. He was also trying to make a buck so that he could continue to live the life that he wanted to live. I read his books. I smelled the fire and felt the warmth. I tasted the fear. I got good value for the money spent, I can't ask more of him. He was a good writer, I really don't care how good a PH he was or where he got the ideas for his tales.

I loved Capstick's writings. It's what got me interested in hunting Africa, and some day I will do just that. In fact, this semester one of my roomates asked me if I knew of a good book, and I mentioned 'Death in the Long Grass' to him. He's still reading it now, but he read the 1st chapter in one sitting and immediately told me he wants to try this Africa thing! If that doesn't speak volumes for the man and his contribution to the safari industry, I don't know what will. Where he got the stories from? Well, I don't care much, but I am glad he wrote them. Amazing story teller and without him, we would all be worst off for not getting to enjoy the senses of Africa he portrayed for us.

gunsmithing,

What was his biography on Bell called?

Still, after all these posts, waiting for a FIRST HAND account that he's a fraud. I've never been to Africa but read his books when I was young and was only impressed by the fact that he left the USA and lived in Africa. That takes some balls especially back when he did it.

Can't speak for African PH's, but many of the guides I know are insanely jealous of others who have more notoriety than they do.

quote:

Originally posted by G L Krause:
that he never seemed to have photographs of any of his early hunting, even photos taken by his clients. Has anyone ever seen a photo of PHC with a trophy of any sort from his "Death in the..." period? Or even a camp photo?

There's a picture of him in South America hunting buffalo in one of his books, don't remember which book. The purpose of the picture was to illustrate how hard it is to hunt in the jungle. Not Africa, but its a photo.

However, he could have staged the photo by running around the block a few times, spraying water on himself and posing in front of some shrubbery and made the whole thing up. In fact, a friend of a cousin of a friend who knew a PH who doesn't want to be named one told someone that the photo was staged. So it must be true.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Congo,
If you wish I will send you the collection before I get Hay Mans address and you decide for yourself. Watching the videos I found it extremely hard to believe the was the same guy who wrote those wonderful stories. I just want these dvds out of my collection of Mark Sullivan videos. Your Elmer Keith point. He was for real. Go to Cabelas in Boise and have a look at the EK display. he was a true amarican sportsman

You want the Capstick videos out of your Mark Sulivan video collection? And you're bashing Capstick??

Touche...

quote:

Originally posted by chipolopolo:
Whitworth,
Is there any doubt in anybody's mind that Mark Sullivan holds a valid PH license? Mark Sullivan while being controversial handles a big double like a man and shoots them well. He also is very very different away from the cameras. he lived here till late last year and I've spent quite alot of time around him, if his hunting style is not for you so be it, HE sir is not a FRAUD.

Capstick's writings may be fictional with some truth mixed in them. However reading Death In The Long Grass is what give me the bug to go to Africa. I am going to get a copy of it for my 15 year old nephew for christmas. Capstick was one heck of a writer. Same can't be said for Mark Sullivan, Sullivan is one heck of a piece of shit.

quote:

Yep,
just sitting here in my underwear in my parents basement
That CHIPOLOPOLO, do you even know what that means?

8 MInutes... impressive.

As to what chipo means... i dunno... asshole?

Another Capstick bashing thread.....just what AR needed.

It was in Death in the Silent Places. PHC had an entire chapter on him. Most of which is good solid info, but mixed in with falshoods, stories that have been passed down over time as fact, but were not actual fact when researched.
I am trying to seperate the reality from the lore, and at times it is very difficult. I am relying on Government records, and factory letters. Only the facts.

I can not understand the bashing of a dead man. When Peter was alive and in his writing prime, I never heard of anyone calling him a fraud. Perhaps he may have been but can anyone say that they told him to his face that he was. As far as some of the still living PH's saying as such could it be the jealousy of the pen and $$$ which he made. Perhaps. Af far as his beret, I remember reading one of O'Connors books which had a picture of John Kingsley Heath wearing the same type of head gear. From what I can tell the man is the greatest safari adventure writer ever. Period, bar none. Including the alcoholic's Ruark and Hemingway. While I am sure that some of the tales were embelished for effect, like many writers do, how many of you can say that you would not have wanted to share a dinner or campfire with the man. I wish I could have. I have all his books and have re-read them many times.

Also, on the subject of frauds, check out some of the past Weatherby award winners and dig deep into their antics such as the one who threw a 58" Kudu bulls horns into a river because it did not exceed 60". Or the one who was caught swapping tags off of over peoples game animals in storage sheds and placing his own on the better trophies.

Unfortunately, hunting like in life has it's frauds and wannabes, but let the dead r.i.p.

Paul C

I was not researching Bell at the time, or I would have contacted him and set him straight, or visa versa. Two sides to every story, but only one truth.
I agree that some what of a feeding frenzy is going on here, and it stinks. Lets get on with guns,hunting and women, not always in that order.

Hell, I like berets: wore a green one for about 15yrs

GOOD MAN.HONORED TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU.

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan Chick:
Hell, I like berets: wore a green one for about 15yrs

Steve and Andy.....I think I know that guy too.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I have read two of Capstick's books and they are as close to an African Safari as I'll get in this lifetime. It is to my mind the second best thing to being there.

Look gentlemen, why the inexorable quest to slam Capstick? If Russ Broom says he was, then you know what? I believe him as others that can attest to his bona fides. Did he take some literary license? absolutely, but the bottom line is African safari hunting owes him a LOT as do we all that love same. Enough of this already. jorge