quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I just would like to see one of the I Hate Sullivan For Lunch Bunch to produce ONE CLIENT of Mark's that had nothing but praise for the man's ethics and professionalism afield. JUST ONE...

Come on, jorge. It's legitimate criticism, not hate.

For the sake of profit and ego, Sullivan makes a mockery of dangerous game hunting, so no one should be surprised that some of us, who have been there and done that, choose to call him out on it.

Not that Sullivan seems to care, one way or the other. There appears to be no shortage of customers willing to buy his videos.

And as for Sullivan's clients, I say again, I'm amazed that he has any, but there is no accounting for taste!

I hear that Justin Bieber has a fan club made up of millions of teenaged girls.

But his music is still bloody awful, isn't it?

I don't like that Mark Sullivan refrains from killing a buffalo as quickly as possible and instead taunts the wounded animal into charging.

Thank you, Kim.

Call me sucker then, I have all his videos...

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
Call me sucker then, I have all his videos...

Me too and waiting for his latest.

Sorry, guys. I have edited my post.

No offense taken.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I just would like to see one of the I Hate Sullivan For Lunch Bunch to produce ONE CLIENT of Mark's that had nothing but praise for the man's ethics and professionalism afield. JUST ONE...

Come on, jorge. It's legitimate criticism, not hate.

For the sake of profit and ego, Sullivan makes a mockery of dangerous game hunting, so no one should be surprised that some of us, who have been there and done that, choose to call him out on it.

Not that Sullivan seems to care, one way or the other. There appears to be no shortage of customers willing to buy his videos.

And as for Sullivan's clients, I say again, I'm amazed that he has any, but there is no accounting for taste!

I hear that Justin Bieber has a fan club made up of millions of teenaged girls.

But his music is still bloody awful, isn't it?

Good call and good point.I have bought only one video and that is Buzz Charltons.I would like to buy another but it has to be good.It has to have all the ingredients of great hunting.IMO the star of the show should be the wilds of Africa first then hunting.I do not want to see footage of the PH talking to the audience explaining how things are etc...

Well now I DEFINITIVELY know my point of view is spot on...

I am not paying to watch the PH close up on screen speaking-blah blah blah,I want to see a good hunt the way it naturally rolls out! Also footage from a cameraman who has a feel for the natural surroundings.As far as letting the animal decide how he wants to die,I will be the one who decides how the animal is going to die!

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
Well now I DEFINITIVELY know my point of view is spot on...

The DSC gang! Must try hard to belong!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Sorry, guys. I have edited my post.

Thanks - appreciate it.
Fair folk can disagree and remain civil.
Stay well

No offense intended. If I could get past the stuff that I detest, I might at least enjoy some of the hunting scenes in Sullivan's stuff.

But I can't.

Just compare Sullivan's stuff to the videos that our host, Saeed, generously shares, gratis, to all who request them.

Melodrama vs. understatement.

Charge-a-minute vs. no-drama-dead-buff.

How-not-to-do-it vs. how-to-do-it.

Blowhardism vs. professionalism.

I could go on.

Once you know how to do it, don't you lose interest in seeing, time after time, how not to do it?

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaman11:
ok, im new here, so what am i missing?

Apparently we love Ivan and hate Mark.

I've only met Ivan and can say that he's a fun guy to be in camp with. Couldn't pick Mark out of a crowd of one.

I know both Mark and Ivan. I think they are great guys and would enjoy hunting with them both! Heading back to the thread’s topic of DVDs being available, I have received the additional shipment of Use Enough Death DVDs. As anticipated, there are no delays with regard to Use Enough Death order fulfillments. I also have adequate stock of Across the Dark Continent for those of you who might be interested in Ivan’s new DVD.

Many of our clients have been buying both of these DVDs together over the past few weeks. I have been receiving a great deal of positive feedback regarding Mark’s new DVD. It seems to be extremely well liked domestically and internationally. Ivan’s DVDs always seem to be a favorite of many of our customers as well.

Best always,
Shawn

quote:

I know both Mark and Ivan. I think they are great guys and would enjoy hunting with them both!

Dear Shawn,

I was yesterday at the biggest european hunting/gun convention.

Some custorms told me, that your are (at an client) at the new Mark Sulivan DVD.

PLEASE:
Can you post some words as an client (and not as an DVD seller or fan) about your hunt with MS?

Thank you.

Frank,

How is beautiful Germany this time of year? I am really looking forward to seeing you in April during the 2013 Heym Challenge II. I look forward to handling and shooting more of those great Heym bolt action and double rifles again! Perhaps I will also see you in May while hunting Roebuck in the northern, central, and southern parts of Germany. I can’t wait to evaluate that SR21 Heym is building for me in 6.5X55.

One of my DG hunts does appear in Mark’s latest DVD as some of your European clients mentioned. This is going to be a long winded post so my apologies up front. As the owner of an internationally marketed business, I have always tried to stay above the maligning Mark receives by some on AR. As you know, Mark and I are very good friends and have been so for many years. Our friendship is not contingent upon some aspect of the hunting industry, our PH/client relationship, or even our business interactions.

Regarding AR, I have never posted hunt reports on AR about my hunts with Mark nor do I intend to in the future unless the culture here changes. My reason is due to the way posters are regularly challenged when they speak about anything involving Mark. This thread is a good example. Many here on AR can’t seem to control their personal dislike of Mark whether based upon something they heard, a rumor they personally spread, or their views based upon edited video. One thing is certain though; it is rarely based upon personal firsthand information beyond a brief public personal interaction. I am not saying that is right or wrong, just pointing it out.

Some may not like Mark’s hunting style and/or follow-up and that is a legitimate topic for consideration when considering a PH in my view. Some may not like the man because of his persona and that is fine. Some just may not like the marketing style or business model and I can understand that too. Just like many can’t stand to see an ammo box prominently displayed or clothing tag flashed too often by a sponsor during a taping sequence. But the negative rhetoric that surrounds any comments that support Mark or his hunting style is generally disproportionate and often times wholly inaccurate beyond reason.

On occasion, I have tried to provide accurate information to those who I saw were way off-base with their assumptions by either sending a personal PM or through a general thread comment. I have always done so based upon my personal experiences hunting with Mark or while present with Mark during a hunt with one of his clients. In most of those instances where I provided clarifying information, the inaccuracies continued being espoused by the person(s) to whom I provided the clarifying information.

So, I have generally found, those who regularly post inaccurate information about Mark seem not to be interested in correcting the inaccuracies. Instead, they prefer to use their assumptions to support what they do not personally like about Mark, without actually knowing him. Often, they ineffectually attempt to disparage Mark as a PH, without ever having hunted with him. When that doesn’t work they attempt to disparage those who have hunted with Mark, or ridicule the person(s) trying to point out the inaccuracies of others statements. This ridiculing is usually through either personal comments, a churlish reference about them, or questioning their hunting abilities. Who has time for such nonsense? I certainly don’t. I do not define who I am based upon others opinion or interpretation of how I choose to hunt. I do not hunt simply for recognition by others.

Relying upon edited video clips selected for excitement, educational aspects, and/or entertainment value are not necessarily reflective of a person, or how all hunts generally unwind. They simply reflect the persona of Mark the PH in those clips, on that particular hunt, with that client. As an example, a hunter may generally be a crack rifle shot but during his hunt his shooting may not have been his proudest moments. That does not mean he is a lousy shot. Although many will hold that judgment for all time based upon a video clip. Mark’s persona is often viewed as a controversial character. Some judge him solely by his videos and condemn his persona as a detriment to the established hunting industry. I say different strokes for different folks. Every hunter who signs-up to hunt with Marks is aware of the type of hunting experience he/she will have and enjoy.

Mark’s personal choice is hunting with the double rifle and getting close. He has managed to use a large variety of big doubles on DG. Clients are instructed to shoot straight and kill efficiently. If the animal is not killed outright, there will not be any long waits for some time lapse before tracking an animal that was hit. The finish will likely not be achieved by blasting away from a distance but by closing and finishing either during a charge or when the animal turns to flee. If he runs away I will try to kill him. If he charges, I will kill him. That is the philosophy and mindset of hunters who hunt with Mark. The animal will decide how the hunt will end….or as Mark says, “We could shoot him right now or we can let this buffalo decide how he’s going to die.” If you have issue with these areas then Mark may not be the PH you prefer.

I consider you a good friend Frank. Against my better judgment, I will honor your request to speak a little about my experience as a client and not as a business owner or personal friend of Mark. I will not attempt to clarify or debate the sure to follow negative comments.

I have either hunted with or also been present on numerous hunts with Mark which have included hippo, Cape buffalo, leopard, and elephant. Not all of the hunts I have been present on make it to a DVD. Let’s face it, some hunts are straight forward and from a viewer perspective are not very exciting. Others are full of excitement or portray a theme that is wanted to be conveyed for information and/or entertainment.

Mark is a fabulous hunter and he is dedicated to serving his clients. The camps are top shelf and everything and every detail is assured to meet the client’s highest expectations. His camp staff and trackers are exceptional. Everything good you’ve heard about Mark is true. The negatives you have heard through rumor or edited tape assumptions are not. He is also one of the funniest people I’ve ever been around. In the truck, in camp, and after the shot or shots are fired there is never a dull moment with all of his stories and jokes.

Mark works extremely hard and the focus is always to find an exceptional trophy for his clients. I consider myself very fit. I exercise regularly and I normally hike between three to five days a week with a weighted pack. Mark is always a challenge to keep up with during a hunt. He is always ready to go and never seems to tire.

I never got the impression that Mark thought he was the be-all and end-all of the hunting experience. He does however passionately believe in what he does and how he hunts. He does not hunt the way he does in an attempt to gain your respect or admiration. Mark has a lot of up close dangerous game experience and is willing to share it with those who have an interest.

Whether a client wants to add depth to their hunting experiences or just because they want to know more information Mark will oblige. He does not enjoy or believe in simply killing but feels it is all about the hunt. He tries to inspire and educate those who are willing to learn more and immerse themselves in the hunt as opposed to hunting from afar.

As mentioned by others, when it comes to the art of hunting dangerous game Mark is fearless. Tracking is immediate and environmental factors and habitat does not get in the way of the process. Comments made about not going into the thick stuff or long grass is absolutely false. They occur with some regularity and are very intense and focused times. As an example, I recall on one of my personal hunts with Mark where we had hit a buffalo before it dove into tall grass. We tracked that buffalo in 10’ grass for 90 minutes in the heat of the day until we found it and I killed it. I could list fact after fact but this is just one example.

Mark hunts the same way whether a video camera is present or not. Kind of a funny story but Mark has on occasion chastised me for not bringing a still camera along with me to snap photos of the DG I have killed. As I explained to Mark, it is the hunt I enjoy. I don’t need a picture to know what I have enjoyed. He is still working on me but I do have a couple of pictures at least. Back-up shots while hunting are fired when necessary but not automatically as some would have you believe. Mark has shot back-up shots on some of my game when needed and I have no problem with the circumstances under which that has occurred. I have killed all of my animals when hunting with Mark. Client’s hunts that I have been present on also killed their animals.

When hunting with Mark, he is always willing to teach more about “his style of hunting.” If the opportunity should arise, and you choose to, the thrill of walking-up and facing death is not for the faint of heart. In those moments you will understand your strengths and define any areas which you should better refine.

Frank, Mark’s hunting style is his and his alone, but I would hunt with him every year if I could. Sorry for the long post.

Cheers,
Shawn

Thanks for that post Shawn. Sadly I feel your prediction will be correct and the usual nonsense will follow, but your comments are valued and appreciated.

I also look forward to meeting you at the Heym Challenge next month. I'll have an SR21 to collect too in 9.3x62, along with an 88B in .375 Flanged and an Express in .416 Rigby. It's going to be a great event!

EY:
Great words. Thank you for stating so.
Cal

quote:

Me too and waiting for his latest.

Thats because deep down...your waiting to see if he gets stomped on

I am neither a fan nor detractor of Marks.
The fact that none of his clients have said anything negative about him speaks volumes to me.
I bought a couple of his videos 10 yrs. ago & enjoyed them, loaned them out & never got them back.
Don’t know that his style of hunting suits me, but it apparently does many others & that is well & good with me.
Different taste is why Baskin Robbins offers 31 flavors of ice cream.

quote:

How is beautiful Germany this time of year? I am really looking forward to seeing you in April during the 2013 Heym Challenge II. I look forward to handling and shooting more of those great Heym bolt action and double rifles again! Perhaps I will also see you in May while hunting Roebuck in the northern, central, and southern parts of Germany. I can’t wait to evaluate that SR21 Heym is building for me in 6.5X55.

Dear Shawn,

thank you very mutch for this long and interessed post.
Great.
I must ask you for more storys, then we sit together in the restaurant...

The Heym Event II will be great.


Best wishes.

Bock, III

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil: ...Different taste is why Baskin Robbins offers 31 flavors of ice cream.

I hope you won't mind me correcting you BC, but Baskin Robbins currently has 57 flavors listed on their website.

There, I posted something on a Mark Sullivan thread.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil: ...Different taste is why Baskin Robbins offers 31 flavors of ice cream.

I hope you won't mind me correcting you BC, but Baskin Robbins currently has 57 flavors listed on their website.

There, I posted something on a Mark Sullivan thread.

Me too now Bill!!!

quote:

I hope you won't mind me correcting you BC, but Baskin Robbins currently has 57 flavors listed on their website.

ALRIGHT, NOW YOU'VE GONE & DONE IT. Hi-jacked a perfectly good tit for tat MS thread!!!
Besides, BR only OFFERS 31 flavors at their stores even though they have more in to their stable. Shows what you know.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil: ...Different taste is why Baskin Robbins offers 31 flavors of ice cream.

I hope you won't mind me correcting you BC, but Baskin Robbins currently has 57 flavors listed on their website.

Bill, hate to disagree. But no way. Can't be.

Heinz = 57. Always has and always will.

As a Pennsylvanian, you should know that!

quote:

Originally posted by Maximus Brutus:
Thanks for that post Shawn. Sadly I feel your prediction will be correct and the usual nonsense will follow, but your comments are valued and appreciated.

I also look forward to meeting you at the Heym Challenge next month. I'll have an SR21 to collect too in 9.3x62, along with an 88B in .375 Flanged and an Express in .416 Rigby. It's going to be a great event!

Maximus Brutus…Please be sure to come up and introduce yourself during the event. I would like very much to meet you. It will be a fantastic event this year, of that I am certain! You have some fine rifles to collect. Judging by your list of rifles I am sure that you have met many of the great people at Heym already.

If you have not yet met Mark, Kathy Sullivan, Thomas (the CEO of Heym), Jacqui (the VIP Manager), or anyone else at Heym, I will be happy to make introductions for you. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you during the event.

Best regards,
Shawn

Frank…The digital shooting screens sound like a wonderful addition to the regular shooting activities. Last year, competing head to head with a double rifle was great fun. I am looking forward to working on the range this year!

Thank you for the update on the rifle Heym is so graciously preparing for my use while I am hunting in Germany. I am looking forward to testing and reviewing the SR21. I also appreciate all of your efforts to coordinate and obtain the fine optics from Leica for my use.

Heym has always been very gracious to me and treated me like family. I really appreciate that Heym takes interest in my opinion regarding their fine rifles. I had asked that Rico sight this rifle for 4cm high at 100 meters. I am certain he will do a great job setting that up for me.

Frank you are quite right about being a lucky man. I have made some wonderful friends in Germany and for that I am grateful. I am very lucky to have good friends such as you. Please give my very best to everyone. I am looking forward to seeing all of you again soon.

Cheers Bwana,
Shawn

quote:

Originally posted by ExpressYourself:


I consider you a good friend Frank. Against my better judgment, I will honor your request to speak a little about my experience as a client and not as a business owner or personal friend of Mark. I will not attempt to clarify or debate the sure to follow negative comments.

I have either hunted with or also been present on numerous hunts with Mark which have included hippo, Cape buffalo, leopard, and elephant. Not all of the hunts I have been present on make it to a DVD. Let’s face it, some hunts are straight forward and from a viewer perspective are not very exciting. Others are full of excitement or portray a theme that is wanted to be conveyed for information and/or entertainment.

Shawn

Shawn

Thanks for detailing your experiences.

One thing is while MS receives a lot of criticism, its all by non-clients and often other outfitters and PHs.

Yet I have never seen a single negative client report, but instead several positive ones. And the client reports are always very positive and refute the uninformed criticism, usually to no result however.

How many of the criticizing PHs and outfitters can claim the same (or their agents, "referees" and other assorted "associates", no negative client reports on here?

quote:

Originally posted by ExpressYourself:

Maximus Brutus…Please be sure to come up and introduce yourself during the event. I would like very much to meet you. It will be a fantastic event this year, of that I am certain! You have some fine rifles to collect. Judging by your list of rifles I am sure that you have met many of the great people at Heym already.

If you have not yet met Mark, Kathy Sullivan, Thomas (the CEO of Heym), Jacqui (the VIP Manager), or anyone else at Heym, I will be happy to make introductions for you. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you during the event.

Best regards,
Shawn

I know Thomas and Jacqui well, and have met Frank before. They are all great people and I am very happy with the product and service Heym provide. Heym are supporting us during our Helvetia Chapter inaugural event in May too. I have not yet me Mark and Kathy, but am looking forward to doing so a great deal.

I'd love to buy some of your videos Shawn, but are they NTSC only? As you know we have PAL over here. It may be a non-issue as some equipment is now multi-format, but I need to check. Are you able to bring any over with you?

Heym is a top shelf manufacturer of fine firearms as you know. They are certainly focused on assuring personalized customer service and satisfaction. I know I am just preaching to the choir but it is worth repeating.

I believe the DVDs are All Region NTSC. Theoretically, an All-Region DVD can be played worldwide in most DVD players; however, the TV must be capable of playing NTSC as well. We have never received any negative comments from our European clients with playback problems or concerns.

I sell DVDs to several repeat clients in Finland, Sweden, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. They all manage to get the DVDs to play without problems.

One of my clients in Australia, DVD Region 4 and a PAL TV format region, had difficulty playing DVDs from the US. He was able to determine his TV was capable of playing in PAL, NTSC, and SECAM. He was then able to flash his DVD player’s memory to make it a multi-regional DVD player and compatible with all DVD types. He has experienced no issues with any DVDs since that time.

I understand that some will often play the DVDs on a computer as a workaround in the interim while they get their TV and DVD players squared away. Apparently, some computers allow you to select the playback format if it is not automatically compatible. I have never had personal experience with this but it is something I was told. Hope this info helps.

I am going to be visiting clients and product manufacturers in several countries while I am over for the month so I am traveling fairly light. Mark will likely be bringing some DVDs over and I can throw a couple extras in as well. I spoke with Mark today, before he heads out to Tanzania tomorrow, and mentioned I would be introducing you to him during the event. I am looking forward to meeting you as well.

Cheers,
Shawn

Well done mate. You got some good advertising there.

I bought Use Enough Death, Beasts of Legend and Boddington on Elephant.

quote:

Originally posted by Demonical:
I bought Use Enough Death, Beasts of Legend and Boddington on Elephant.

I remember your order as it was from Canada. I personally dropped the package off at the post office on the morning of the 14th. They are enroute for your enjoyment!

Thanks,
Shawn

As I know: You this PAL or NTSC only with old VHS-Magnetic-Tapes, but with modern DVD, you can look them very easy.

I dont have the best or expensived DVD players/TV (with all options) and here it works very ggod. Also in the houses of my friends.

Best wishes.

Bock, II

Actually, we have two seperate problems with multi-region films.

DVDs are region coded very rarely nowadays, but BluRay films are.

It is much easier to get around the multi-region coding on DVDs, and practically impossible for BluRay - it can be done, but has to change hardware.

The second point is the TVs.

Practically all TVs sold worldwide support multi-region, and can play anything.

The exception is some models sold in the US and Japan, which are still single region.

Shawn: Movie arrived, thank you! A very well-made film. I especially liked the variety of locations including some country near where I have hunted buffalo here at home.

As an aside, I purchased the latest Carter film a couple of months ago, and the Ethiopian nyala / bushbuck footage is truly inspiring.

Anyway, Shawn, it was a pleasure doing business with you. Your service all the way out to Australia is excellent. Cheers!

Ben,

I am glad to hear that your DVD arrived and that you enjoyed it as well. I am really pleased that the buffalo hunt segments from Australia in Use Enough Death had special meaning for you! It is also nice to hear that you enjoyed Ivan’s (Safari Classics Productions) latest DVD too.

I have several clients in Australia that keep coming back to us. We regularly hear, “I can’t believe you can charge me so little for international shipping and your handling.” The shipping method is a little slower but the savings is what we keep being asked to deliver.

I hope that the service, USPS shipping method, shipping discount that we contributed, and product pricing you received fully met or exceeded your expectations. I hope you consider our services again on a future purchase.

Thanks again,
Shawn

Shawn:
I reread your long post and my compliments on how well it was written. The fact you had no detractors shows it is beyond reproach.

I have finished my watching the first ten of Mark's films. I drive home tomorrow with the new knee and soon after I settle in I will tabulate the results and post them in a new thread. I have every shot, who shot first, who killed the animal, every charge and if the charge was wounded, not wounded and enticed or not. I will list the number of shots by clients and by Mark and I even have the order of shots and by whom. The final results won't surprise you but it will many and many will know of their errors in what they have stated in the past. The only thing I ponder is if I should quote the detractors when I present the fact(s). One side of me says I should not point fingers and the other side says there has been so much untruthful finger pointing at Mark that I should. I will think on this over the next few days. Expect my post by early next week. I have my commentary written now and I just need to edit it and polish it a bit so I sound somewhat educated and then tabulate the data. I will divide the videos into three categories: the first three (1990-92), the mid years (1995-2000) and the last two (2005-06). Each of these three categories show changes in firearms, philosophy, clients, hunting style, methods, etc. In closing, I would like to meet you someday. You seem like a skookum gent (Alaska slang).
Cheers,
Cal
PS. I will stay out of the Heinz-Baskin Robins debate, however.

Cal

Question for you.

I do not have all of Mark Sullivan's films Productions. Plus in the few i do have it show the same footage from an earlier film again.

How will this be counted?