Dangerous Game?

[James Vee]

This guy obviously believes in it. I have only seen the preview of this video, and am currently doing research on him. But Mark Sullivan, in my opinion, has one huge set of cajones. Check out this clip:

http://clashradio.com/DVD/sullivan-video/

[AR hunter]

:bow) :wow1) :machinegu

Man that guy needs a trailer to haul his juevos around in!

[GEMSBUCKHUNTER]

I have seen a couple of his videos and they are both like that i give Mark a lot credit he does put some good footage on his tapes. By the way James thats a nice Zebra you got there!

[Walker]

Mark Sullivan is a showboat and has no respect for the animals he shoots. He's gonna get someone killed or badly injured with his stunts.

[Shadow]

Neat to watch, but I am with Walker...One day it isn't gonna happen like that. He will make a bad shot, miss, misjudge, etc. You roll those dice long enough, and you will lose.

[pauly3511]

i have all his videos expensive but well worth it they are just amazing

[apmaurosr]

Great scenes. Although he uses a cannon and is obviously an experienced ph, I agree with Shadow. Also, in my opinion this helps to confirm what the anti's say about the uglier side of hunting - this is personal aggrandizement at the expense of the animals.

Ant

[James Vee]

I believe he's using a .470 Nitro but I can't confirm that. I can't agree with you guys though as far as feeding fuel to the anti's. I just dont' see it. I understand completely what you are saying about the high possibility of getting himself or others hurt though.

[apmaurosr]

James Vee

If not for personal aggrandizement and notoriety at the expense of the animals than why is he putting himself in such comprimising positions. Also, is it just coincidence that there happens to be a camera around each time he puts himself in unecessarily close proximity to the animal and provokes it into charge? I don't think so.

I don't see any relation to what this ph is doing and hunting. It is baiting dangerous animals to charge, capturing it on film for personal gain, distributing it on the web/DVD as advertisement and ultimately for profit.

I don't think it's flattering to hunting or to hunters nor do I think it's ethical either (knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing what's right). As morbidly fascinating as the clips are to watch, it reinforces the negative stereotypes assigned to hunters and the perceptions of those unenlightened about workings of wildlife management and the progress our conservation efforts have made over the past 100 years.

Ant

[James Vee]

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand exactly what you are saying and where you are coming from. I don't agree with it. I do not believe that because he wants to put his life on the line to get an adrenaline rush and incredible footage that it's unethical to do so. As a matter of fact, I think it's a great eye opener for some people to see how dangerous some of these animals can actually be.

Hippos, for example, are often seen as slow-moving and gentle water dwelling creatures. Look at Sullivan's video. Granted some, if not all, of the hippos in his video are provoked, it shows the explosive power and speed of a full-on hippo charge. The only thing the video does not show is the devastation that successful charge will do.

The only anti-view that I get from these videos is that of an anti seeing these videos and rooting for the animal. Or seeing the video, and saying hey, atleast the animal had some sort of a chance.

[apmaurosr]

James Vee

I don't need to provoke a dog to see how upset it gets. If I do, most people wouldn't buy my excuse that I am making an effort to show how vicious a dog can get - they will probably think I'm an idiot and get what I deserve. I think that most reasonable people would agree that to instigate a dog for the sole purpose of filming it and making a profit is unethical.

I don't see anything remotely instructional about the footage. It doesn't appear to me to have any redeeming value what-so-ever. It's the reality TV of dangerous game and in my opion disrespectful to nature.

Unfortunately, I guess we don't view this issue the same way.

Ant

[James Vee]

Without dragging this thing out, I think we can both agree to disagree.

[pauly3511]

He does use a470 james in his newer ones he uses a.600 Nitro express. I ddnt think he put anyone in danger but himself, if he dies because of it he is totally fine with that, that is what he expect. If you go to his web site you can read his views. Dont get me wrong but its not like its rare to get charged by a buff. In my opinion he is a good PH and has had many satisfied customers with very nice trophies to prove it. Maybe james could clear this up but I dont think they would let a guy from the U.S. just run around out there and wound and chase animals to shoot up close for his videos. The charges that have happened have been a few from hundreds if not more hunts that have been compiled since the early 90's. After having so many hunts there is definetly going to be some close encounters no matter who you are. I dont see anything wron what he does and apparently neither do the authorities in Africa that have control over him.

[apmaurosr]

Oh, I thought the film clip opened with a man showing off his huge cartridges for the camera. The opening I saw almost reminded me of the old cowboy movies, the holster slung low (weighted down by the the huge cartridges for dramatic effect). Then the scene shifts to a side view of the rifle, a beautiful double, then to a front view, the camera peering down the barrel as two of the large cartridges plug up the chamber. The action closes purposefully and the ph struts on his way into the bushveld.

This isn't what I would call "the day in the life of a ph." This appears to be scripted for dramatic effect. Then the scene shifts to the ph creeping closer to buffs - that are only yards away to begin with - for what appears to be the sole purpose to instigate a charge. If not, then why wouldn't he just take the shot from ten yards away prior to initiating a charge?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this fine chap did anything illegal. He seems to be operating within game laws. I don't think his behavior shows respect for his quarry and is far beyond what is needed to harvest the animal.

I'm just calling it as I see it and whether anyone agrees or not - well I've certainly expressed myself adnauseum, so I'll flitter off to some other issue and pontificate.

James - you do a great job on the forum. I appreciate the time that you put in and the issues you bring up.

My sincerest thanks.
Ant

[fisherguy]

My issue is that he is stringing the animals along, rather than killing them as quickly as possible. You will see that at least three fo those buffalo were already shot and bleeding out their noses. Rather than put them down, he walks in, taunts thme till they charge, then shoots. Just to show off he is letting them suffer far longer than necessary. If toying with an injured animal to look brave isn't fuel for the anti's i don't know what is.

[James Vee]

I did notice that about the buffalo as well. In Mark's defense, I would say that there is a possibility that those were hunts that may have gotten out of hand and then ended with a shot from close counters. But that's doubtful. Ant is right on about this not being the life of any regular PH. PH's are taught to avoid danger at all costs. (I learned some things while on a sit-in at a PH school).

And Pauly, you are right as well about not just letting anyone run around and shoot up the place. Most hunts that take place are on large acreage ranches. The owners of those ranches do not want animals being wounded without being compensated for them. If a hunter were to be on his own, he would be liable to not tell the ranch owner about a wounded animal in order to not have to pay for wounding that animal. This is one reason that nearly every hunt that takes place in South Africa will be accompanied by a PH.

[Walker]

That was just a promo-clip. If you've ever seen any of the full length videos you've seen that Mark does all that he can to induce the charge., and yes the animals are wounded. The video I saw was all of woulded animals. Never once did he try to enduse a charge from a healthy animal.

[James Vee]

From what I could tell in the promo clip, the hippos appeared to be in good shape yet.

[Shadow]

Right or wrong, this thread is a good example of how to deal with differing opinions.


Wounded or not, I think this guy is destines to be mauled. All it takes is once. You can't roll a 7 every time.

[AR hunter]

As shadow said, I am glad to see some folks have a discussion regarding their differing opinions without getting ugly! :bigthumb)

I did watch the vids once and I did wonder about the red noses. Tonight I am on dial up and can't review them again but I agree that I would hate to see these wounded animals antagonized before they are shot at point blank range.

Still makes for a exciting video, and if that is what he is selling, it is probably working.

[Widowmaker]

I've seen his videos too,and all I can say is that he'd still be eating my ass out for emptying my gun and already reloading,by the time he gets out the very first "Don't Shoot".

He is a little on the arrogant side,but you've got to admit,they are some very entertaining videos!