Mark Sullivan the Expose’

[CZDiesel]

So I’ve obviously seen that Mark has been controversial here and I’m sure other places. But let me say I have known Mark for over thirty years! In these years he has always been kind, gracious, quick with a smile and willing to not only talk Safari but willing to pass on any knowledge or insight he has that one might inquire…
Is Mark a confident or even a cocky personality? Yes, but aren’t most of us that engage this dangerous pursuit? Is Mark Arrogant? NO! Mark will tell you himself that he understands that everyone has their own style of things and that some may disagree with you and he’s ok with that. He’d never try to tell you that you were wrong only try to tell you who he is!
So my brother had him sit down and give this short expose’
Mark talks about what got him into hunting, why he hunts like he does, his love of classic riffles, and the future of Safari. I think you will find that he’s just like you and me! Only one hell of a lot better with a Double lol
Here is Mark!

 

[grand veneur]

I have known Mark Sullivan by name since he began his PH career in 1990. Many of us in Europe who were already hunting dangerous game in Africa back then, had very different opinions about him, mostly negative because of some of his videos. However, with the Heym company and the big bore double rifles of it, he has returned to a somewhat more positive light. I am a few years younger than him, but initially I also had a controversial opinion of him. However, this has improved significantly over the years and I have grown to appreciate Mark Sullivan much more over time.

 

[375Fox]

It’s a good video. I have to respect his ability with a double rifle but I won’t understand what draws hunters to this type of PH. From how he talks and trying to get the charge it sounds like he is hunting for himself with the paying client just coming along. His focus appears largely on the kill and adrenaline of dangerous hunts over experiencing Africa. I think he’d have a different approach and philosophy had he grown up in a hunting family with hunting mentors as a kid.

 

[Pondoro]

I liked the video...a much more balanced Mark than seen before. I also agree in his opinions on double rifles.. I have both old and new but there is undeniably a pleasure to own and hunt with hand made, hand filed well weighted and balanced british doubles.. His passion is hunting/shooting DG at close ranges...my passion is likewise..

I must admit liking the adrenaline in getting very close to buffalo and elephant and take them with a double.. Huge difference in shooting ie. buffalo at 70 - 100 meters with a scoped .375H&H boltrifle than stalking them within 30 to 15 meters with a large caliber double rifle..

 

[Sabre]

After watching the video, to me, he seems like a good hunter and a terrible choice for a PH for me personally. I can't imagine paying to go hunt a hippo and having the PH set himself up in the perfect position for the best shot as I wait on the sidelines. Then he antagonizes it into charging him and he treats it as his own personal hunt and I am basically just there to fire stray bullets from a worse position on the side.

If someone else wants that kind of hunt, I'm sure it is exciting even as a bystander, but for me, it wouldn't feel like my hunt, and I would have no interest in paying for that.

 

[grand veneur]

That was initially the problem of interpreting the videos of Mark Sullivan. In the nineties, it seemed to us after sighting this videos that the buffalo was a bloodthirsty animal that had only one thing on its mind: killing human people and for this reason it had to be fought with all what you can use for that, above all double rifles. The use of a double rifle for shooting dangerous game at close range was also not perceive at the time as extremely romantic. In addition, there was no more ammunition available for the classic old double rifles, so that many of us have seen all this as a game play. In the meantime, we know that it was not meant in all cases that way.

 

[DieJager]

I've exchanged some emails with him in the past. Bought all his videos from him and I think he is wildly mispresented on a lot of forums. Enjoyed his videos, good information and action packed scenes.

Yes, there are bad shots in the videos but those are not from him but his clients. He is a great shot with his double.

The controversial part is his follow-up when clients wound the buffalo. People say he intentionally wound animals, never saw that in his videos. Back to the follow up. His view is that you walk up to the wounded buffalo and that leads either to a charge or the buffalo fleeing.

Only then the clients shoots. And yes he shoots a lot of times also. That is between him and the arrangement he has with his client.

I like his style on camera but to each his own. But shooting my game, that is not the part I would like.

 

[BenKK]

Enjoyed the vid. Thanks!

 

[MS 9x56]

If he wasn’t in the hunting business he would find another way to induce his adrenaline addiction.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Influencers in general leave me cold. I prefer to get my knowledge from hands on experience, textbooks, or from other peasants like myself (internet forums).

 

[buck wild]

Is Mark a confident or even a cocky personality? Yes, but aren’t most of us that engage this dangerous pursuit?

Here's your answer as to "aren't most of us that engage in dangerous pursuit" cocky? (* It's also the answer as to why so many dislike him ). The answer is, No. You don't have to be that cocky (or despite your assertion- arrogant) to hunt dangerous game. It's this singular trait of his that screams he is willing to engage in riskier behavior than other great professional hunters no matter how cocky they may be otherwise; thus, IMO I don't consider him one of the elite or best. Again, my opinion of course

Carry On

 

[hwr239]

Influencers in general leave me cold. I prefer to get my knowledge from hands on experience, textbooks, or from other peasants like myself (internet forums).

You're comment, as usual, makes no sense.

 

[Andrew62]

I’ve hunted Africa 20+ times, I always ask my guide how many times they’ve been charged by a Buffalo, I’ve yet to have a guide tell me they were charged more than 2 times, yet somehow Mark has made 10 or more videos containing many Buffalo charges per video. One has to think…….how is it Mark has filmed over 100 Buffalo charges! Personally, I’m calling bulls***!!!!

 

[mark-hunter]

It’s a good video. I have to respect his ability with a double rifle but I won’t understand what draws hunters to this type of PH.

This is exactly my thought. To each his own. Sullivan is not model PH for me. but I respect who ever decide to hunt with him. He certainly has a number of followers.

 

[mark-hunter]

I’ve hunted Africa 20+ times, I always ask my guide how many times they’ve been charged by a Buffalo, I’ve yet to have a guide tell me they were charged more than 2 times, yet somehow Mark has made 10 or more videos containing many Buffalo charges per video. One has to think…….how is it Mark has filmed over 100 Buffalo charges! Personally, I’m calling bulls***!!!!

Once on online event, I asked Craig Boddington how many buffalo charges he experienced after having shot 100 buffalos.
Answer: zero.

So, there must be some catch in Sullivan's approach, and it does not taste well with me.

 

[BJH65]

I’ve hunted Africa 20+ times, I always ask my guide how many times they’ve been charged by a Buffalo, I’ve yet to have a guide tell me they were charged more than 2 times, yet somehow Mark has made 10 or more videos containing many Buffalo charges per video. One has to think…….how is it Mark has filmed over 100 Buffalo charges! Personally, I’m calling bulls***!!!!

I’m not thinking BS, I think it’s the tactics that he’s chosen to use on those videos (that have made him famous) that probably greatly contrasts with other PH’s when approaching a wounded buffalo and/or aggressive hippo.

He’s said in many of his videos, he’ll give the wounded buffalo a chance on how it all will play out by carefully closing the distance which often provokes a charge and he often relies on his cool resolve and superior skill at arms with his double to resolve the situation.

I think the vast majority of PH’s have zero interest in provoking a charge this way and are perfectly happy utilizing tactics that enable the hunter and/or themselves to get close enough to make a killing shot without needlessly exposing themselves to unnecessary danger which hopefully involves spotting the buffalo before he spots you and making a killing shot.

It’s interesting to note, Mr. Sullivan has done this with buffalo and hippo but never leopard and lion (CBL or wild). I believe he’s mostly hunted Tanzania anyways. As dangerous as buffalo and hippo are, they are relatively slow moving compared to a lion and leopard and present a much larger target including the vitals. Read JA Hunters thoughts on this in his excellent book, Hunter. Never seen him do this with elephant either a wise decision.

Anyways, I’ve enjoyed his videos and have no animosity towards Mr. Sullivan. I’m not in agreement with the tactics he has chosen to use as depicted on his videos, all of which wouldn’t be necessary if the client made an accurate, precise killing shot into the vitals.

 

[sgt_zim]

I can think of a number of PHs I'd much rather hire - Charlton McCallum, York Mare, Dalton Tink, and Jeff Rann to name 4 well-known ones. To say nothing of a non-famous one like Franco van Rensburg.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Our hunting community can be extremely vindictive, hateful, judgmental, self righteous & jealous. We don’t like seeing others successful, no matter how eloquent we act. And if somebody hunts in a way different from us… well, God help them. There’s no nice way to say it. We might deny it, but deep in our hearts… we know that it’s true.

If you want to form an opinion on a hunting celebrity, then YOU are the best judge. Nobody else. A hundred people online might dislike somebody, but that disliked person may actually be the nicest guy in the world to you. And that's what should matter.


I'll provide some insight about Mark Sullivan. A lot of people hate him (including spreading around tasteless garbage such as him losing his hunting license in Tanzania). That's fine. But you should personally take a look at the man and form your own opinions on him rather than use other people's opinions as a litmus test.

Mark is a friend of mine. We have had several exchanges over the years. We know each other's families and friends circles well. Yes, it's true. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says. Hunting with him is definitely not for everybody (especially physically unfit clients who want to take game out from as far as possible). But in my opinion, he's a good man. And a good hunter. And nowhere as pompous in real life as he makes himself out to be on camera. Sure, he likes to boast. I personally don't. But he has earned that right through 43 years (and counting) of hard work.

I'll tell you a small story about Mark. A young local hunter here (who will probably not be able to afford an African safari for several more years, let alone with Mark) wrote Mark a fan letter in 2022. Mark sent the South Bengali boy both of his books (autographed) through courier from Arizona. Along with his DVDs and a safari cap. I was absolutely mind blown by this gesture.

In Tanzania, Mark has (on more than one occasion) gone above and beyond to financially help fellow white hunters in trouble. Even trackers on a couple of occasions. In my opinion, SCI did the best thing by finally allowing Mark back to all of their programs, starting from 2023 onwards.

See the best in a person rather than the worst. And see it for yourself, rather than relying upon other people's opinions. Life's too short and we hunters already have plenty of enemies out there. Those who actually hunt(ed) with Mark Sullivan have quite positive feedback about him.

Yes, there’s a little known reason why Mark contends with more wounded Cape buffalo than other white hunters do. The reason is because he is probably the only bug name in the hunting industry who exclusively prefers solid bullets for Cape buffalo hunting. He even mandates that his clients use them. I’ve actually spoken to him about this; telling him that (in my humble experience) a premium grade soft point can take out a Cape buffalo with a heart-lung shot quicker than any solid can these days. But Mark exclusively prefers the solid. In recent years, he’s come to see the light. He now has his clients take the first shot with a Barnes TSX all-copper hollow point.

He’s also evolved his strategies over the years in order to increase his client’s chances of success. Early in his career, he used to stipulate that his clients only employ double rifles. Nowadays, he has them bring a heavy double rifle as well as a telescopic sighted .375 Holland & Holland Magnum magazine rifle. Depending upon his client’s physical limitations and the way the hunting scenario unfolds, he advises them on which rifle to use.

Yes, Mark says a lot of things that might rub off on a sensitive person the wrong way. He once told me “Bolt action rifles are for women & small children”. He also often quips that the “.470 Nitro Express is a fine ladies’ gun”. But it’s all in good humor. He has many, many clients who come to hunt with him; armed with .470 Nitro Express (or smaller caliber) rifles. He has often invited me to go on Safari with him… knowing full well that I use a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Remington Model 700. If you’re the kind of person who takes every word literally, then Mark is definitely not for you.

76 years young (3 years older than I am) and he still actively hunts in the wilds of Tanzania with a .600 Nitro Express John Wilkes boxlock non ejector (formerly the property of the late Cal Pappas). I wish him well for all of his future endeavors.

P.S: Mark has stopped more than a few lion & leopard charges. But given the pricing of lion hunts in Tanzania, relatively few of his clients opt to pursue lion. I assure you all. In the last 35 years, Mark has had far more clients who bagged all of their own game rather than clients who needed him to step in. I know many of them by name.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I believe that in a parallel 'bedroom' comparison, Mr. Sullivan would be known as the 'bull' and the hunter clients who stand to the side and watch him shoot 'their' animal would be known as 'cucks'. Not my thing, but, as many have said, each to their own.

 

[grand veneur]

...

Yes, there’s a little known reason why Mark contends with more wounded Cape buffalo than other white hunters do. The reason is because he is probably the only bug name in the hunting industry who exclusively prefers solid bullets for Cape buffalo hunting. He even mandates that his clients use them. I’ve actually spoken to him about this; telling him that (in my humble experience) a premium grade soft point can take out a Cape buffalo with a heart-lung shot quicker than any solid can these days. But Mark exclusively prefers the solid. In recent years, he’s come to see the light. He now has his clients take the first shot with a Barnes TSX all-copper hollow point.

...

I don't believe that. Mark Sullivan had enough experience hunting buffalo to know that you can shot them without problems with FMJ bullets. Moreover, in the 1990s and even later, that was the bullet of choice for this hunt among many older PH. You also know that depending on how you approach a wounded buffalo, wait what happening and only shoot at the last moment, the risk of attack increases significantly. In his videos there are many situations where a PH and also myself would have shot much earlier. Anyway everything, I appreciate him well.