Mark Sullivan the Expose’

[Wishfulthinker580]

I post late at nite because I have troubles sleeping. I have troubles sleeping because I was shot five times and my legs burn and don’t let me sleep! I have served and I have also been in a gunfight and I will tell you that things happen so fast you react purely off of instinct and training!
This is exactly as a PH would deal with in a charge at close quarters! So the fact that you can’t understand the comparison is understandable as YOU have not served, YOU have not seen combat, and YOU have not have not been in a close call with dangerous game!
So I find it intellectually dishonest and disingenuous that YOU would even comment not having ever had any experience with these scenarios that I listed. And I find it not only disrespectful but troubling that YOU think it’s ok to not only have opinion that attacks someone who has had these experiences but would post it as nonsense! I can see the terrible decision making on your part is still ongoing!
You have some serious issues! I have a suggestion, go enlist like I did and serve your country! I’m done with you!!!

My opinion stands and there are plenty of members who share that sentiment with me whose have experienced such things.. If I could go back in time I might join up. Wouldn’t make a lot of sense for me now. For a number of reasons. Haranguing me has absolutely no effect so calm down. You have my sympathy for your legs. Hopefully you got some/are getting some rest. Thanks for your service. We’re done here.

 

[mark-hunter]

Found this on Youttube. Though it could be a nice addition to this thread.
Sounds like Sullivan is a baby compared to this guy.

(First time I hear about him)
Killed bear with a knife, buffalo shot from ground up, vertical shot through the chin, revolver etc...

Well, not my cup of tea, and not my type of hunting, but as I said, could be interesting addition to this thread.
How realistic is it I dont know, but story teller he is. Very specific person,

 

[DaddyFlip]

There are quite a few members of this forum who over the last twenty years have led rather dramatic lives. They make people like Sullivan and his ilk look like the posers they truly are. You will not find one of them bragging about their exploits.

Not directed at you @Red Leg, just using your quote as a reference. Taylor, Ruark, Capstick, Patterson, Boddington, et.al. all essentially bragged about their exploits and they don't get dinged. Mark Sullivan is no poser despite anyone's opinion of him as a person or a PH. "It's not bragging if you can do it." I'll bet not one client has ever been forced to hunt with Mark against their will not knowing his style. I remember when his videos first came out, about the same time Phil Robertson started making his duck hunting videos (way before the Duck Dynasty stuff). We LOVED them. Then his big books came out (which I have) and I still read them all the time. I would say the more recent videos featuring Mark show him to be more mellowed out in his old age. I've always been a fan since the early days.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I have an anecdote to add about Mark Sullivan’s character.

Several months ago, I happen to catch my three-year-old on video saying that “Mark Sullivan is a cool guy” and that “he could do anything like hunt elephant, wildebeest and lion”.

I shared this short video with a friend of mine who is also a friend of Mr. Sullivan. He asked if he could share that video believing that Mr. Sullivan would get a kick out of it.

A few weeks later, our mutual friend forwarded a video that Mr Sullivan made for my son in which he thanked him for the kind words. Mr. Sullivan made the video out in the bush while taking a break during the middle of a Cape Buffalo hunt in the Selous.

My son was so excited about receiving a direct response that he asks to see the video almost every day, repeatedly. He tells other people about the video he got from “his friend, Mark Sullivan” many of whom don’t hunt or have a clue who he is.

Subsequently, a few months after receiving that video, while Mr. Sullivan was back the states, he reached out through our mutual friend to see if he could FaceTime my son. They spoke for about six minutes about hunting, double rifles, and respecting parents.

Mr. Sullivan could not have been more generous with his time and kindness toward my son, and these selfless acts represent his true character in my opinion.

 

[VertigoBE]

I have an anecdote to add about Mark Sullivan’s character.

Several months ago, I happen to catch my three-year-old on video saying that “Mark Sullivan is a cool guy” and that “he could do anything like hunt elephant, wildebeest and lion”.

I shared this short video with a friend of mine who is also a friend of Mr. Sullivan. He asked if he could share that video believing that Mr. Sullivan would get a kick out of it.

A few weeks later, our mutual friend forwarded a video that Mr Sullivan made for my son in which he thanked him for the kind words. Mr. Sullivan made the video out in the bush while taking a break during the middle of a Cape Buffalo hunt in the Selous.

My son was so excited about receiving a direct response that he asks to see the video almost every day, repeatedly. He tells other people about the video he got from “his friend, Mark Sullivan” many of whom don’t hunt or have a clue who he is.

Subsequently, a few months after receiving that video, while Mr. Sullivan was back the states, he reached out through our mutual friend to see if he could FaceTime my son. They spoke for about six minutes about hunting, double rifles, and respecting parents.

Mr. Sullivan could not have been more generous with his time and kindness toward my son, and these selfless acts represent his true character in my opinion.

Without knowing him, or ever having met him and despite the bravado, this is exactly how I would have thought he would conduct himself.

 

[sureshot375]

I have an anecdote to add about Mark Sullivan’s character.

Several months ago, I happen to catch my three-year-old on video saying that “Mark Sullivan is a cool guy” and that “he could do anything like hunt elephant, wildebeest and lion”.

I shared this short video with a friend of mine who is also a friend of Mr. Sullivan. He asked if he could share that video believing that Mr. Sullivan would get a kick out of it.

A few weeks later, our mutual friend forwarded a video that Mr Sullivan made for my son in which he thanked him for the kind words. Mr. Sullivan made the video out in the bush while taking a break during the middle of a Cape Buffalo hunt in the Selous.

My son was so excited about receiving a direct response that he asks to see the video almost every day, repeatedly. He tells other people about the video he got from “his friend, Mark Sullivan” many of whom don’t hunt or have a clue who he is.

Subsequently, a few months after receiving that video, while Mr. Sullivan was back the states, he reached out through our mutual friend to see if he could FaceTime my son. They spoke for about six minutes about hunting, double rifles, and respecting parents.

Mr. Sullivan could not have been more generous with his time and kindness toward my son, and these selfless acts represent his true character in my opinion.

He and I have different opinions when it comes to how and when to dispatch wounded game, and there is an element of bravado that is off putting to me, but I have never heard anyone who has actually interacted with him say he is anything other than a gentleman.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Here is a picture of my son making him laugh during their Facetime call when he informed Mr. Sullivan that “in a fight, front sight!”

 

[DieJager]

Here is a picture of my son making him laugh during their Facetime call when he informed Mr. Sullivan that “in a fight, front sight!”View attachment 728207

That is awesome. Talked to him via email and he is absolute gentleman.

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

Mark Sullivan is again a full member at the safari club

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

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!

Hes again full member of the SCI

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

Mark Sullivan is again full memberof the SCI.So all the acusations were a fraud.

 

[Russ16]

Mark Sullivan is again full memberof the SCI.So all the acusations were a fraud.

Or SCI had made a mistake. I’ll make my own judgement.

 

[BonUm16]

 

[SLG]

I don't know Mark or most of you. I probably should not post, since none of us need have an opinion on everything, especially things we have no first hand knowledge of. With that in mind, I will not judge without all the facts and none of us have all the facts.

That said, I consider myself to be a very ethical hunter and put the life of the animal right after mine. Meaning, I will not let them suffer. I usually do this through perfect shot placement on unwounded game, and most of them drop dead where they are. Some go a few yards and die. None of these are "dangerous game", as I have not hunted animals in Africa yet, though I have been there a few times for work.

Like Mark or not, I do not see how he can be accused of unethical behaviour. He follows up wounded game right away (not always the right strategy with deer, but these are not deer), his clients all agree to the terms before the hunt and want to be there. It may not be the right hunt for you, but it seems perfectly legit to me.

As an aside, I was a sniper for part of my career, and while I'm perfectly capable of taking long shots, I will not shoot unwounded animals past 300 yards. To me, that is not hunting, that is shooting. For it to be sporting, the animal has to have a chance at knowing you are on the same planet as it. There is more I could say about that, but my point is, many in the hunting field think long range shots are just fine, but what Mark does is not. I see it the other way around. YMMV, and probably does.

 

[Redfishga1]

Here is a picture of my son making him laugh during their Facetime call when he informed Mr. Sullivan that “in a fight, front sight!”View attachment 728207

Can he call me!!! just got his book on auction at dsc

 

[mark-hunter]

Like Mark or not, I do not see how he can be accused of unethical behaviour. He follows up wounded game right away (not always the right strategy with deer, but these are not deer), his clients all agree to the terms before the hunt and want to be there. It may not be the right hunt for you, but it seems perfectly legit to me.

There was a show, or some event organized by Craig Boddington, online, few years ago.
At that time he has just shot his 100th buffalo, after 40 years of African safari trips.
Audience could ask him any question, by sending email.

So, I asked:
After so many buffalos, how many charges did you experience?
Answer:
None. He did witness one charge, I think, on another hunter he hunted with.

I was really interested because I was planning at that time my first buffalo.

On the other hand, you have multiple and countless charges by buffalo and hippo recorded on video by Mark Sullivan.
I dont know about percentage, but there it is. A lot!

The alleged story is he is wounding the animals to provoke the charge.
I cannot say, if he really does that or not.
But numbers do not match between two hunters.
There is something about this. The discrepancy is so large that it is not logical.

Based on above, the charges do happen more often with mr Sullivan then with others, so he would not be my first choice for a PH, with all due respect.
The idea of a provoked DG charge, is not my favorite.

 

[DieJager]

The difference is waiting 30 minutes. Mark directly follows them up.

 

[Africa1]

mark-hunter...I understand your questioning of Mark Sullivan's experienced charges. It is GENERALLY a rare occurrence statistically. No matter the aforestated possibility, I was charged twice by buffalo in 2 years. Once in Argentina in 2023, once in South Africa in 2025. Verifiable by my PH's from each country. Is being charged unusual? Absolutely. Does it happen? Absolutely. I guess some of us have faces Buffalo want to charge!

 

[mark-hunter]

I guess some of us have faces Buffalo want to charge!

My buffalo took two brodside shots in double lung area, then he turned and faced us.
He did not run.
Did he want to charge?
I cannot say. I shot him frontally in the brain.
31 seconds from first to 3rd shot. Charge prevented.
You never know.

 

[SLG]

My buffalo took two brodside shots in double lung area, then he turned and faced us.
He did not run.
Did he want to charge?
I cannot say. I shot him frontally in the brain.
31 seconds from first to 3rd shot. Charge prevented.
You never know.

There is nothing wrong with that, but it is your choice to avoid a possible charge. Mark wants a charge if possible. Why is that wrong? I have seen nothing to support the claims that he injures them in some way to provoke a charge, so until evidence is presented, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He also says that out of 100 buffalo, only 5 will charge, regardless of his desire.

I don't know Craig or Mark, but I would guess that Mark not only has way more experience than Craig, he also hunts them differently. If the goal is to stay far enough away so that you are not likely to be in danger, than so be it. I would guess that is the case with most of Craig's Buffalo, and probably yours as well. Nothing wrong with that.

On the other hand, if you want that 5% to charge, then you walk up and shoot from 10 feet. How far away were you for your initial 2 shots and then the third? Numbers of game hunted only tell a small portion of the tale. Deer kill people every year (not including cars), yet no one thinks deer are dangerous. If you get too close to most wild animals, they may very well attack instead of fleeing. There are hunters with way more experience than Mark or Craig, who have talked about this. Guys who have shot upwards of 6 THOUSAND dangerous game. Crazy.