| With Another Blockbuster, Moja Takes Aim at a Greater Cause By David Blanchett |
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I try to keep an open mind to this stuff. His note encouraged me to be "subjective" and he said to try not to feel "obligated to say just nice things." So in other words, I had the green light as a safari video critic to go "negative," and rip this man`s new video apart. So what happened? I tore open the package, placed it in the DVD tray, watched it all, and I'm sorry Marc Watts...but I cannot go negative! Delta Royale: Botswana`s Perfectly Shot Dangerous Game blew me away!
I`ve always been a little skeptical of testimonials and infomercial type quotes and soundbites, because those making all of the claims stand to gain something, so obviously they have an agenda, but this time it`s Johan Calitz. You are not going to be able to put words in this man`s mouth. His opinion is regarded as the truth, his reputation is impeccable; the hunting industry`s finest have hunted with him and he`s probably booked on elephant hunts until the year 2028.
He was sold out on lions too, but unfortunately for him, the Botswana government recently closed down all future lion hunts indefinitely. Speaking of lions and elephants, those are the two principal species Calitz and Watts hunt down throughout their 18-day safari in Botswana. Safaris are supposed to be fun and there`s no doubt that first of all, Johan and Marc had a lot of fun. Not lost on my mind was the Fire and Ice reference Marc posted to describe the tone of the partnership on his last safari DVD.
Over the course of three hours on the DVD, PH Johan and client Marc slosh through the Okavango Delta, make quips to each other back and forth and practice selectivity to the finest like a well- trained two-man battalion team. They both get a lot of help along the way. Marc describes them as his "Botswana Dream Team," but it`s clear he and Johan are the stars, of which I give the video five.
The two of them have teamed up to finish Marc`s big five on Botswana`s specialty, the elephant. But before the inevitable happens, the two men hunt down a whole slew of game that seems like an entire safari in itself. Marc wasted no time in showing Johan why other PH`s and trackers refer to him as "Bwana Moja." Marc`s very first shot ranks as one of the ten finest I`ve ever seen. A herd of 100 buffalo has squared up to Marc in an obvious defensive posture. Darkness is near.
The concerns are, following up a wounded buff in low light and wounding more than one buffalo because they`re clustered so tightly and facing the shooter. If the animals turn broadside, the thinking is that they`re turning to run off, so Johan gives his client the green light to shoot. Let`s just say Marc Watts pulls off a "Mark Sullivan", but from 164 yards away. I can`t remember ever having seen such a shot executed at that distance. Five or ten yards when he`s charging you yes, but we`re talking 164 yards. He literally died where he was standing and slow motion video is required to fully appreciate the accuracy of the shot. I told you Delta Royale blew me away, and this was just the first kill.
If that shot surprised Johan, he returned the favor with the size of the lion he put on the end of Marc`s barrel several days later. The sequence is masterfully edited by Brenda Brattleaf, the same young lady who edited Fire and Ice. Her strength appears to be a technique that holds the drama without reliance on the sensationalism and theatrical. It`s a touch that`s evident throughout the video. Botswana lions cannot be baited, so the skills of Johan`s two lead Bushmen trackers are on full display here. But wait, haven`t we seen this hunter already gun down one great African lion? Yes, and the editor adds the file tape of the proclamation Marc`s PH made on that day back in 2004. He told Marc he`d never shoot one better.
"I betcha", he`s seen and heard saying. Bwana Moja should have called and raised him. Both cats are world class lions, but if one judges them by photograph there`s a clear winner. The storyline and the actual hunt of the Delta Royale lion is better than "The "Mane Event"" lion. (He said I could be subjective and opinionated.) I can already see a sequel because PH Garth Robinson tells Bwana Moja, that he`ll have to hunt long and hard to ever "beat this lion." And I thought this was supposed to be a video about an elephant hunt.
Garth had a hand in the elephant hunt too, but before the shot there`s a downright comical moment regarding Johan`s cigar smoke and its effect on elephant stalking. There`s actually a pleasant mix of laughter throughout the serious stalks of this safari, which was pleasant to view. It`s indicative of the confidence shared by two men at the top of their crafts, so confident in their abilities that they share even more fun than normal along the way.
Ethics are a priority of both men and giving back as well. Marc highlights Johan`s accomplishments in Botswana, which extend far beyond hunting trophy lions and elephants. Schools, community centers, and gymnasiums have sprouted up throughout Johan`s concessions because of his generosity. HIV screenings are conducted routinely throughout the concession`s villages as well.
Platform-wise the video serves as an appropriate backdrop to a brand new initiative launched by Marc and his Sable Trail Productions team. A percentage of proceeds from all sales of Delta Royale will be donated to Opportunity International, an Illinois-based organization that`s working to combat the spread of AIDS and provide economic empowerment to men and women throughout the African continent. Opportunity International presently has people working in 9 African countries.
Marc is asking every safari hunter to get behind this effort, and contribute a gift of some amount. Donations can be made online at www.opportunity.org or sent directly to Sable Trail Productions. It`s estimated 24.5 million African people are infected with HIV. "If every safari hunter donated just $50, that would be a resounding statement. That`s far better than just sitting back and doing nothing. SCI is a powerful body and I would think that its members care enough about Africa to do their part to help out in the African AIDS crisis," says Marc.
His eyes light up when he talks about this new hunter based initiative designed to help orphans and families affected by AIDS. Delta Royale is dedicated to Marc`s longtime friend and tracker Piet Monyeke, who died from complications of AIDS in May 2007. "It`s so much more than just safari hunting to Marc," according to his longtime hunting associate Dan Bolek. "Africa is now his cause. For obvious reasons he feels a special kinship to African people and at home on that continent as well. It`s great that someone from our community has stepped up so boldly, to show that hunters are humanitarians as well as animal conservationists."
Johan and Marc`s conservation efforts are on full display on day 10 of Delta Royale as they stealthily stalk up to an old cape buffalo bull. He is a loner, referred to as a "Qwatali" bull, in Botswana. There`s a touch of nostalgic past as the hunting party glides through the reeds in a mokoro. Calmly they exit the mokoro preferring to approach on feet. Marc is carrying his double so I`m expecting a fairly close encounter, but as they look up they see the buffalo on an island nearly 100 yards away, with nothing but water in between them. Perhaps at this time Marc is wishing he would have packed his Jarrett built .375 H&H instead, but no. He calmly takes a rest on an anthill and does his normal thing. Johan`s reaction after the shot is priceless, and the viewer can see that the realization hits him of just exactly what kind of hunter he`s been on safari with the past 10 days.
It most definitely is as advertised a "three-hour joy ride through the Okavango Delta." It`s a feel good hunting video where pranks and lotsa thanks are the norm. Marc and his cameraman "Kappie" share a big laugh when Marc springs to attention one morning to carry out a task he thought was an order that had come down from Johan. Kappie videotaped the entire stunt, which all along it was his dirty doing, for which Marc certainty vows to seek payback. (And he does get it.)
The community escort guide, Botswana`s version of the game scout, praises Bwana Moja for his gracious delivery of meat to the community center. Most safari operators, according to their tendering agreements must donate a certain percentage of game meat to villagers living within concession boundaries. The amount dropped off this time however, greatly exceeds the normal donation.
A barrage of plainsgame hunts follow; two wildebeests, two impala, a gemsbok, eland and kudu. There would have been more but Marc had to cut his trip short because his mother had fallen ill in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, at the time of Marc`s departure, his safari was a complete success. We`ve seen Johan on several offerings before, but never has he looked better. This is a work he, Botswana, and the entire industry for that matter, can be proud of. It seems to hit all the right spots: excellent trophies, selectivity, shot placement, comradery, teamwork and conservation. It`s unlike a safari hunter on video to go socially or politically active on us, but his AIDS segment is tastefully done. Mr. Marc Watts has earned this platform and as odd as it may sound, it`s a call that the safari community should listen to.
With the recent ban imposed on Botswana lion hunting, this DVD release carries even heightened importance. It will likely be a long time before a lion kill this spectacular is captured again on videotape, completely tracked and not baited. Delta Royale becomes the video record of how a proper lion, elephant and buffalo hunt all on one safari. can be carried out. Marc has hinted this may be his last video and conspicuously absent from the DVD menu is the jazzy preview of his next release (after this one.) Are we to believe this is his final safari DVD? He`s expressed in the past a desire to return to network television news, once he feels his Perfectly Shot series is complete. If so, he has saved his best for last.
*If you purchase all 7 Africa DVD titles in the Sable Trail Productions series, also known as the Magnificent Seven, you will receive One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve free, with free shipping (34.95 value), and a FREE T-SHIRT ($12.00 value). That's a total savings of $46.95!
*The Elite 8 is similar to the Magnificent Seven with The Royal Showdown book included. Not only will you get a FREE T-SHIRT and a FREE DVD of One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve with free shipping, but you will also get free shipping on the book, saving a total of $56.95!
*For more information about The Royal Showdown, click here: The Royal Showdown
I`ve always been a little skeptical of testimonials and infomercial type quotes and soundbites, because those making all of the claims stand to gain something, so obviously they have an agenda, but this time it`s Johan Calitz. You are not going to be able to put words in this man`s mouth. His opinion is regarded as the truth, his reputation is impeccable; the hunting industry`s finest have hunted with him and he`s probably booked on elephant hunts until the year 2028.
He was sold out on lions too, but unfortunately for him, the Botswana government recently closed down all future lion hunts indefinitely. Speaking of lions and elephants, those are the two principal species Calitz and Watts hunt down throughout their 18-day safari in Botswana. Safaris are supposed to be fun and there`s no doubt that first of all, Johan and Marc had a lot of fun. Not lost on my mind was the Fire and Ice reference Marc posted to describe the tone of the partnership on his last safari DVD.
Over the course of three hours on the DVD, PH Johan and client Marc slosh through the Okavango Delta, make quips to each other back and forth and practice selectivity to the finest like a well- trained two-man battalion team. They both get a lot of help along the way. Marc describes them as his "Botswana Dream Team," but it`s clear he and Johan are the stars, of which I give the video five.
The two of them have teamed up to finish Marc`s big five on Botswana`s specialty, the elephant. But before the inevitable happens, the two men hunt down a whole slew of game that seems like an entire safari in itself. Marc wasted no time in showing Johan why other PH`s and trackers refer to him as "Bwana Moja." Marc`s very first shot ranks as one of the ten finest I`ve ever seen. A herd of 100 buffalo has squared up to Marc in an obvious defensive posture. Darkness is near.
The concerns are, following up a wounded buff in low light and wounding more than one buffalo because they`re clustered so tightly and facing the shooter. If the animals turn broadside, the thinking is that they`re turning to run off, so Johan gives his client the green light to shoot. Let`s just say Marc Watts pulls off a "Mark Sullivan", but from 164 yards away. I can`t remember ever having seen such a shot executed at that distance. Five or ten yards when he`s charging you yes, but we`re talking 164 yards. He literally died where he was standing and slow motion video is required to fully appreciate the accuracy of the shot. I told you Delta Royale blew me away, and this was just the first kill.
If that shot surprised Johan, he returned the favor with the size of the lion he put on the end of Marc`s barrel several days later. The sequence is masterfully edited by Brenda Brattleaf, the same young lady who edited Fire and Ice. Her strength appears to be a technique that holds the drama without reliance on the sensationalism and theatrical. It`s a touch that`s evident throughout the video. Botswana lions cannot be baited, so the skills of Johan`s two lead Bushmen trackers are on full display here. But wait, haven`t we seen this hunter already gun down one great African lion? Yes, and the editor adds the file tape of the proclamation Marc`s PH made on that day back in 2004. He told Marc he`d never shoot one better.
"I betcha", he`s seen and heard saying. Bwana Moja should have called and raised him. Both cats are world class lions, but if one judges them by photograph there`s a clear winner. The storyline and the actual hunt of the Delta Royale lion is better than "The "Mane Event"" lion. (He said I could be subjective and opinionated.) I can already see a sequel because PH Garth Robinson tells Bwana Moja, that he`ll have to hunt long and hard to ever "beat this lion." And I thought this was supposed to be a video about an elephant hunt.
Garth had a hand in the elephant hunt too, but before the shot there`s a downright comical moment regarding Johan`s cigar smoke and its effect on elephant stalking. There`s actually a pleasant mix of laughter throughout the serious stalks of this safari, which was pleasant to view. It`s indicative of the confidence shared by two men at the top of their crafts, so confident in their abilities that they share even more fun than normal along the way.
Ethics are a priority of both men and giving back as well. Marc highlights Johan`s accomplishments in Botswana, which extend far beyond hunting trophy lions and elephants. Schools, community centers, and gymnasiums have sprouted up throughout Johan`s concessions because of his generosity. HIV screenings are conducted routinely throughout the concession`s villages as well.
Platform-wise the video serves as an appropriate backdrop to a brand new initiative launched by Marc and his Sable Trail Productions team. A percentage of proceeds from all sales of Delta Royale will be donated to Opportunity International, an Illinois-based organization that`s working to combat the spread of AIDS and provide economic empowerment to men and women throughout the African continent. Opportunity International presently has people working in 9 African countries.
Marc is asking every safari hunter to get behind this effort, and contribute a gift of some amount. Donations can be made online at www.opportunity.org or sent directly to Sable Trail Productions. It`s estimated 24.5 million African people are infected with HIV. "If every safari hunter donated just $50, that would be a resounding statement. That`s far better than just sitting back and doing nothing. SCI is a powerful body and I would think that its members care enough about Africa to do their part to help out in the African AIDS crisis," says Marc.
His eyes light up when he talks about this new hunter based initiative designed to help orphans and families affected by AIDS. Delta Royale is dedicated to Marc`s longtime friend and tracker Piet Monyeke, who died from complications of AIDS in May 2007. "It`s so much more than just safari hunting to Marc," according to his longtime hunting associate Dan Bolek. "Africa is now his cause. For obvious reasons he feels a special kinship to African people and at home on that continent as well. It`s great that someone from our community has stepped up so boldly, to show that hunters are humanitarians as well as animal conservationists."
Johan and Marc`s conservation efforts are on full display on day 10 of Delta Royale as they stealthily stalk up to an old cape buffalo bull. He is a loner, referred to as a "Qwatali" bull, in Botswana. There`s a touch of nostalgic past as the hunting party glides through the reeds in a mokoro. Calmly they exit the mokoro preferring to approach on feet. Marc is carrying his double so I`m expecting a fairly close encounter, but as they look up they see the buffalo on an island nearly 100 yards away, with nothing but water in between them. Perhaps at this time Marc is wishing he would have packed his Jarrett built .375 H&H instead, but no. He calmly takes a rest on an anthill and does his normal thing. Johan`s reaction after the shot is priceless, and the viewer can see that the realization hits him of just exactly what kind of hunter he`s been on safari with the past 10 days.
It most definitely is as advertised a "three-hour joy ride through the Okavango Delta." It`s a feel good hunting video where pranks and lotsa thanks are the norm. Marc and his cameraman "Kappie" share a big laugh when Marc springs to attention one morning to carry out a task he thought was an order that had come down from Johan. Kappie videotaped the entire stunt, which all along it was his dirty doing, for which Marc certainty vows to seek payback. (And he does get it.)
The community escort guide, Botswana`s version of the game scout, praises Bwana Moja for his gracious delivery of meat to the community center. Most safari operators, according to their tendering agreements must donate a certain percentage of game meat to villagers living within concession boundaries. The amount dropped off this time however, greatly exceeds the normal donation.
A barrage of plainsgame hunts follow; two wildebeests, two impala, a gemsbok, eland and kudu. There would have been more but Marc had to cut his trip short because his mother had fallen ill in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, at the time of Marc`s departure, his safari was a complete success. We`ve seen Johan on several offerings before, but never has he looked better. This is a work he, Botswana, and the entire industry for that matter, can be proud of. It seems to hit all the right spots: excellent trophies, selectivity, shot placement, comradery, teamwork and conservation. It`s unlike a safari hunter on video to go socially or politically active on us, but his AIDS segment is tastefully done. Mr. Marc Watts has earned this platform and as odd as it may sound, it`s a call that the safari community should listen to.
With the recent ban imposed on Botswana lion hunting, this DVD release carries even heightened importance. It will likely be a long time before a lion kill this spectacular is captured again on videotape, completely tracked and not baited. Delta Royale becomes the video record of how a proper lion, elephant and buffalo hunt all on one safari. can be carried out. Marc has hinted this may be his last video and conspicuously absent from the DVD menu is the jazzy preview of his next release (after this one.) Are we to believe this is his final safari DVD? He`s expressed in the past a desire to return to network television news, once he feels his Perfectly Shot series is complete. If so, he has saved his best for last.
*If you purchase all 7 Africa DVD titles in the Sable Trail Productions series, also known as the Magnificent Seven, you will receive One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve free, with free shipping (34.95 value), and a FREE T-SHIRT ($12.00 value). That's a total savings of $46.95!
*The Elite 8 is similar to the Magnificent Seven with The Royal Showdown book included. Not only will you get a FREE T-SHIRT and a FREE DVD of One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve with free shipping, but you will also get free shipping on the book, saving a total of $56.95!
*For more information about The Royal Showdown, click here: The Royal Showdown
| Delta Royale | ||