Mark Sullivan the Expose’

[M70375!]

I am good friends with Mark's cameraman and he tells me that Mark is a very nice person.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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

Okay. Maybe too many syllables for you? I'll simplify. Sullivan = influencer = his videos do not interest me. I have tripped on them a couple of times. Finished one and that was enough. He's not the only one. Generally I find online outdoors influencers phony and obnoxious. Like old days used car salesmen. Or gals peddling real estate (Ugh! Well, maybe not THAT phony). Influencer videos are typically staged and fakey.

 

[DieJager]

Sullivan = influencer =

Hahaha an influencer. The man is a PH since 1989 in Tanzania. If making videos as a side business makes you an influencer than a lot of PH's are influencers by your definition.

You would like to hear his stories on a gramophone?

 

[PerH]

I liked this episode very good , just a man and speaking about who he is , it could been a couple hours long or more this episode . Very learning and much wisdom


Next Hunter Habib and a mini series would be good .

 

[Hunt anything]

Definitely not my cup of tea!
I did get a chuckle out of his statement “I don’t do anything stupid” to me provocation of a splendid game animal into a charge is stupid. But if that’s how he chooses to go out so be it, seemed like he shot before his client on the hippo.
I believe I’ve spent some time in that trophy room if not its clone, it is a sight to see.

 

[VertigoBE]

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.

Very much agree with your words here @Hunter-Habib . We are too often our own worst enemy

You don’t like someone, don’t speak and listen to them.
You don’t agree with certain ways, don’t replicate them.

But between those who want to immediately look for government regulation or those who enter into character defamation, I have little comprehension for.

The world would be a very bland place if everyone would only be allowed to speak like the stereotype of the middle aged accountant.

 

[Russ16]

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

Couldn’t agree more. Contrast him with how Buzz Charlton acts in his videos. Always complimenting the hunter obviously trying to help the hunter be the center of the action. Very mild mannered despite being one of the most accomplished elephant hunters I’ve heard of.

I much prefer and am attracted to Buzz’s approach.

 

[Justbryan]

I disagree with Mark's approach to dangerous game but what can we learn from watching his videos? What to do and what not to do?

I wonder how many times he has been hospitalized.

 

[Scott CWO]

Couldn’t agree more. Contrast him with how Buzz Charlton acts in his videos. Always complimenting the hunter obviously trying to help the hunter be the center of the action. Very mild mannered despite being one of the most accomplished elephant hunters I’ve heard of.

I much prefer and am attracted to Buzz’s approach.

Buzz understands that it is the client’s hunt, not his hunt. PHs and guides are in the service business and success is a successful client.

 

[hwr239]

Okay. Maybe too many syllables for you? I'll simplify. Sullivan = influencer = his videos do not interest me. I have tripped on them a couple of times. Finished one and that was enough. He's not the only one. Generally I find online outdoors influencers phony and obnoxious. Like old days used car salesmen. Or gals peddling real estate (Ugh! Well, maybe not THAT phony). Influencer videos are typically staged and fakey.

Once again, Mr. Ontario Syllable, you're response is woefully inadequate. You claim "Sullivan = Influencer - his videos do not interest me." You're mistaken if you think Mark Sullivan is an influencer, and I have never heard another person make that claim. He's a professional hunter who has produced videos in an era before influencers as we know them today existed. As hard as that may be for you to understand, it's the truth. But I'm sure you've killed more dangerous game than Mark, have hunted Africa more times than him, and have more people who respect you and listen to you for real-world, practical advice, so you know better than all of us. In your original comment, you said "I prefer to get my knowledge from hands on [SIC] experience, textbooks, or from other peasants like myself..." Who would ask you for advice on dangerous game hunting? I read the snarky comments you make in posts. I don't ever see anyone on this forum asking you for advice. To that end, send me the names of the books you have written, the DVDs you have produced, the names of the clients you have guided in Africa, and the articles, websites, forums, etc., where people talk about you and your hunting skills and knowledge, your firearms skills, and your legacy. There's a reason a video wasn't made about you.

 

[buck wild]

...., but that disliked person may actually be the nicest guy in the world to you. And that's what should matter.

With all due respect to your history and experience as a hunter.

I've never met the man personally, but I'll take your opinion as factually correct given your stated relationship and my opening statement. So that's great, he's a nice guy to be around, probably won't screw me if he had the chance, BUT nice guy or not, or you stating that he hasn't needlessly provoked a vast majority of these documented charges? And if he has, is that not negligently putting others' lives at risk? Would you personally hunt with him (maybe you have), knowing his behavior is likely to cause a charge if the situation presented itself?

I personally don't want to be around folks that put me in needless danger ie, helicopter pilots, dangerous drivers etc. If you want to put yourself in danger, that's fine by me, but don't expect me to appreciate folks who put me in those situations, nice guy or not. I have had helo pilots put me down on the ground bc I felt they were being too risky for no other reason than showing off.

I saw a video once, albeit the 90s, where he seemed disappointed the buffalo dropped on the spot at the first shot

 

[sgt_zim]

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.

I don't hate Sullivan, but the persona that comes across in the videos I've seen of him are off-putting to me, and to a great many people. It's difficult for me to imagine the sort of client who would be attracted by that sort of marketing.

I'd bet every guy on this forum would assent to a hunt with CMS, D&Y, or Jeff Rann without even a moment's hesitation. For the forum members who don't know Sullivan personally, I'd bet you couldn't get more than 1 in 10.

I don't doubt your word for an instant that he's a nice guy. But if the only way you knew him was from the "marketing" he does on YT videos, would you want to spend money with him?

 

[BJH65]

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.

I hesitate to to disagree with you my honorable friend and I’ve no doubt Mr Sullivan has stopped lion and leopard charges, but not on video that I’m aware of. I’ve a hunch that no way would Mr. Sullivan knowingly provoke a lion and/or a leopard charge, predators that are twice as fast as buffalo and a much smaller target, it would be in my humble opinion almost suicidal, however there is no doubt in my mind that he feels supremely confident in stopping a buffalo and/or hippo charge, provoked or not, his skill at arms and reflexes giving him the advantage with those slower moving DG.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Once again, Mr. Ontario Syllable, you're response is woefully inadequate. You claim "Sullivan = Influencer - his videos do not interest me." You're mistaken if you think Mark Sullivan is an influencer, and I have never heard another person make that claim. He's a professional hunter who has produced videos in an era before influencers as we know them today existed. As hard as that may be for you to understand, it's the truth. But I'm sure you've killed more dangerous game than Mark, have hunted Africa more times than him, and have more people who respect you and listen to you for real-world, practical advice, so you know better than all of us. In your original comment, you said "I prefer to get my knowledge from hands on [SIC] experience, textbooks, or from other peasants like myself..." Who would ask you for advice on dangerous game hunting? I read the snarky comments you make in posts. I don't ever see anyone on this forum asking you for advice. To that end, send me the names of the books you have written, the DVDs you have produced, the names of the clients you have guided in Africa, and the articles, websites, forums, etc., where people talk about you and your hunting skills and knowledge, your firearms skills, and your legacy. There's a reason a video wasn't made about you.

Okay, I'll make it simpler: he makes money off his videos and books = influencer. He's also a PH. So what? It's easy enough to find lots of videos of other guides/PHs who are marketing themselves and/or sponsors with YouTube videos, blogs, books, magazine articles, etc. Not all PHs are influencers and not all influencers are PH/guides. Where did you get the idea that the two cannot be the same?

 

[franzfmdavis]

I may be in the minority opinion, but I enjoy his attitude and cockiness. I enjoy it in the same way that I enjoy the attitude and cockiness of a fighter jet pilot. To me he has never seemed arrogant, but rather expressly confident (in a manner that I don’t personally have but appreciate). For me, there are people whose experiences support their confident attitudes. He is one of them and I have found his videos to be both entertaining and, at times, informative. I hope I get the opportunity to meet him someday hear some stories firsthand.

 

[PARA45]

I don't know the man, and everything I know about him has been through this forum and what I've read about him.

Now, if he likes to give the animal a fighting chance like he states in the video, good on him for living like that. Now, if he misses the animal will most likely kill him. If that is the adrenaline rush, he wants and enjoys. Then, that's his life and he has every right to live it as he pleases. Now, to be a PH, and to provoke a charge so the client watches as he shoots the animal at his footsteps. Nah, I want to do the shooting, it's my hunt and my animal.

Why do people jump out airplanes, go shark diving, and do all the crazy things most sane people wouldn't do it even if they get paid. Why do we do dangerous game hunts? For the thrill and the excitement of the hunt. Oh, and deep inside our soul, we know that if we do not do our part, the hunt can go from zero to 60 in seconds, and your life and the life of others is at stake. So, indirectly we are all alike, but where we are different is on the amount or level of adrenaline, we each want.

 

[RR 314]

Okay, I'll make it simpler: he makes money off his videos and books = influencer. He's also a PH. So what? It's easy enough to find lots of videos of other guides/PHs who are marketing themselves and/or sponsors with YouTube videos, blogs, books, magazine articles, etc. Not all PHs are influencers and not all influencers are PH/guides. Where did you get the idea that the two cannot be the same?

With this addition, the guys that write the "textbooks" you rely upon are "influencers" as they certainly do so with a monetary goal behind their efforts to get published. Thanks for the clarification. That pesky Graeme Wright has been influencing too many here lately. Time for a good old fashioned book burning!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

@grand veneur @buck wild @sgt_zim @BJH65

You’ve all had countless pleasant exchanges with me over the last four years. And I definitely respect your differences of opinion. And I don’t mind it at all. I always welcome different perspectives.

I will also do my best to address your statements.

On the subject of Mark provoking animal charges
Yes, he’s guilty of this but not in the way some of his critics claim he is. Let me explain. In his life, he has NEVER wounded any Cape animal specifically for the purposes of provoking a charge. Not once. He’s vehemently opposed to the practice. But he does (as per Mark’s own words) “Get in their face and let them know that I’m hunting them”. It’s a question of personal ethics and okay… some of you might find it to be unethical. But it is what is is. In my personal opinion, there are other white hunters too who have carried out this practice. Ivan Carter (to name a few) sometimes waves his .600 Nitro Express Heym Jumbo in front of elephants in order to incite a charge. When we hunt leopard over hounds (for instance, in Botswana), the standard method of hunting is to keep pushing the leopard until he eventually charges.


On the subject of Mark’s personality being off-putting
It’s totally reasonable for people who’s only means of interacting with him being through watching his videos…to find him arrogant & pretentious. I can’t fault you there. When I first saw “Death At My Feet” (his first hunting DVD), I initially thought of him as an overconfident hotshot. But I’m immensely glad that I had the opportunity to interact with him personally & getting to know his inner circles. It let me see him in a completely different light.

On the subject of Mark’s actions putting clients into potential danger
Actually, Mark’s track record here is quite impressive. In a career spanning 35 years (and counting), he’s never actually had even a single client wounded on safari. As a matter of fact, due to his sheer firsthand experience with stopping dangerous game charges (allegations of provoking said charges notwithstanding)… he’s probably the one white hunter whom I’d completely feel safe hunting dangerous game with.

On the subject of Mark never stopping a lion or leopard charge on video
Mark actually has stopped one lion charge on video (that I know of). It was in Zimbabwe and he was a client during that hunt. Mark was armed with his Charles Osborne boxlock extractor in .577 Nitro Express (loaded with 750Gr Barnes TSX all-copper hollow points). Since Mark sold that particular rifle in 2012, this hunt must have occurred before that. I can ask him to send me the video. His book also shows a leopard which he shot in the head (mid-charge) with a Benelli Super Black Eagle in 12 gauge 3.5” Magnum (loaded with Remington 9 Pellet 32 gram 00 Buck shells). But @BJH65 is spot on when he says that lion & leopard are far faster than Cape buffalo or hippopotamus. As well as presenting smaller targets.

At the end of the day, we (as client hunters) are consumers/customers. If the hunting style of one white hunter doesn’t appeal to us, then we can simply pick another. Many of us here wouldn’t want to hunt with Mark Sullivan. That’s fine, but there are many of us (myself included) who would consider it to be a privilege.

I’ll add another insight from Mark himself. When Mark began his career in the early 1990s, the concept of hunting videos were JUST beginning to catch on. If my memory serves me correctly, they began to gain popularity after Peter Capstick filmed a hunt with Jeff Rann in Botswana. When Mark began his hunting videos, his primary market was towards rich American hunters (many of whom were hunting in Africa for the first time). So in his own words “Looking back, some of my earlier videos were specifically aimed at highlighting how dangerous African game can be”. I was already hunting in Africa for 15 years by then, but I imagine that a lot of aspiring first time client hunters were genuinely drawn towards his videos by seeing all those Cape buffalo and hippopotamus charges. It was a good marketing gimmick at the time when no other African white hunter was making hunting videos (those pre-You Tube days).

Over the years, he’s slowly mellowed out and he’s even publicly stated more than a few times that he hates shooting his client’s game.

I’ll give a final piece of insight. In the last 20 years or so, the model of African hunting has greatly changed. Nowadays, most Cape buffalo hunts present themselves like this: The white hunter gets the client within 100-200 yards of a Cape buffalo. The shooting sticks are set up, out comes the telescopic sighted .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. A 300Gr premium grade expanding bullet is sent to the animal’s boiler room from a broadside position. The creature goes maybe 100 yards and then drops. If this is the standard modern hunting practice, then it’s quite easy for people to make statements like “Cape buffalo never charge under normal circumstances”. I personally have nothing against this style of hunting (I hunt a lot of Cape buffalo this way, as well). But Mark likes a more, shall we say… gladiatorial approach. Getting close. And yes, at relatively close ranges… Cape buffalo charges (while definitely not a regular occurrence) are not all that uncommon.

I do stand by my comment about the hunting community being extremely judgmental, vindictive, hateful, self righteous & jealous though. For instance, Jeff Rann hunted a leopard over hounds a few years back (which got covered on video). A group of anti hunters began falsely bitching that the hunt was illegal. That’s hardly surprising, since they’re, well.. ANTI HUNTERS. But what really appalled me was how fast the international hunting community was quick to socially crucify Jeff and throw him under the bus without even bothering to properly research all of the background facts regarding that particular hunt.

 

[Vintageguy]

Met the man and genuinely liked him. As far as his approach, he simply closes the distance to within their comfort zone initially, or on follow up, then waits for the beast to discover his presence and “make up its mind to flee or fight”. He has already decided his intention of taking the animal and does so regardless of its decision. The wounding shots are from the clients who have taken too long to fire once the animal has made an indication of its decision. That makes me shake my head because it looks like if you were hunting with him you would be prepared but apparently not. Much more respect for him than the twats swatting buffalo from the back of the truck or sitting in a concrete “blind”. I’d pass the company of most at a campfire but not if it was Mark Sullivan.

 

[hwr239]

Okay, I'll make it simpler: he makes money off his videos and books = influencer. He's also a PH. So what? It's easy enough to find lots of videos of other guides/PHs who are marketing themselves and/or sponsors with YouTube videos, blogs, books, magazine articles, etc. Not all PHs are influencers and not all influencers are PH/guides. Where did you get the idea that the two cannot be the same?

I'll pay attention to the comments from those who have something to say. No time for clowns.