This is an interesting video about Marc Watts hunting with Johan Calitz in Botswana for buff, plains game, lion and elephant. It’s hard to review a video without telling you what happens so let me give some highlights and I apologize for any spoilers. I’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

I appreciate the fact that Marc had an opportunity at a 44†buff but turned it down to shoot a bull, which was narrower but with a hard boss. It was definitely the right choice. I will say that I’ve never seen a buff go down faster than that...struck by lightning you might say. The shot itself was pretty gutsy but I won’t ruin it by discussing it further.

It is noteworthy to mention that Marc is personally investing in AIDS health care for Africa and the video bears that out. Kudos to Marc for pointing out Johan Calitz’s investment into Botswana health clinics, churches, schools, college scholarships, etc. and I found that to be an interesting sidebar.

The lion footage was quite interesting and again, they turn down a specimen that would be taken in many other places that was sitting on a kill. I was impressed that Johan pulls everyone back to make a plan for the lion instead of pushing after it immediately. Johan obviously has a sterling reputation and this video certainly proves why. I really like Johan’s style of guiding. I wish I could afford him! The lion is just tremendous and Marc was fortunate to have an opportunity like that and the best part was that it was on foot and not over bait. A lion taken by tracking...that’s a real dream. Johan was very respectful of that old cat and the trackers as well. Very interesting and Marc gets emotional about it as would any of us. Good stuff and Marc turns down a number of shots throughout the day, which took a lot of self-discipline on a lion like that. Ever seen a truly wild lion whose ears are covered up by his black mane??? Geez, what a cat and who knows when this type of hunt will be available again with lion hunting closing in Botswana.

The elephant footage shows just how difficult a frontal brain shot is when the elephant is in the shade. Upon speaking to Marc about the shot, he hit the first time where he was aiming (just picked the wrong spot) and missed the 2nd shot. The followup is exciting and Marc is emotional about his first elephant, as anyone would be. There is something indescribable that happens to YOU when you shoot an elephant. You feel like you have changed a little bit. The elephant hunt completes Marc’s Big 5.

I discussed this elephant hunt at length with Marc and there has been a lot of reflection by him after the hunt. When he started hunting, like many of us, he didn't know if he could ever shoot an elephant. Now that he has had time to think about it some more, he is making plans to return for elephant and with a little persuasion, I think he will do some tuskless. Now you're cooking Marc!

The second buffalo is hunted by mokoro (small boat moved by poling) and it ends with a really interesting shot. I don’t want to ruin it for you but I’ve never seen a more deadly shot in the field than this one. I would have been happy to make this shot with a scope but you’ll see it done with iron sights. Johan and the trackers were very happy. I guess so! I can see why the trackers would love hunting with Marc. On so many of the shots there is simply zero follow-up to be done...no tracking wounded game in heavy cover, no giving the animal time to bleed out or stiffen up...no recovery time at all. Marc is a big fan of the neck or high shoulder/spine shot and it’s hard to argue with HIS results.

HUGE gemsbok...just incredible and the eland is beautiful too.

Good section on missing shots also. Most people would skip over this but Marc takes his shooting seriously and it's an interesting discussion.

Really enjoyed the wingshooting section...Marc should make a wingshooting video as I know that he is an avid sporting clays competitor


Concluding thoughts:

My favorite part of Marc’s videos are not the one shot kills (although they are impressive)...rather, I really enjoy the real time footage without staged shots that are prevalent in many other videos including Boddington’s. It’s annoying to see a camera’s point of view from just in front of a buff’s nose as the PH comes in to poke it. Of course it has already happened. Any drama from Marc (and this video is much better than those before in many respects) is an acceptable tradeoff to get much less drama from the camera. I also really like the production quality of Marc’s latest videos. This one will win some awards for sure. His past videos were highly awarded as well but this one is better. I consider it to be a better value than most on this 3 hour video.

Nice article!

My apologies for not putting something more polished down for you guys. I kind of typed comments as I watched the video and should have reworked it more...but there it is for you to see.

What the hell do you want a pulitzer?

It was great, don't be so hard on your self.

Might order it, it's on the might pile, your review pushed it farther. I like Watts, but his videos are wearing on me.

quote:

Marc is a big fan of the neck or high shoulder/spine shot and it’s hard to argue with HIS results.

My whole life I have heard about heart/lung shots. Then Africa happens for me and I have shot about 15 big game animals and most with the high shoulder shot. It absolutly works like a hammer.

They aren't usually dead, but they aren't moving. Because they usually don't have the ability.

Thanks Seth. This is his best DVD in my opinion, whatever that's worth to you.

yukon, nice review.

I liked the DVD also, and I would have to say it is the story of an extremely successful safari.