Hello

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly pay my respects to an exceptional big game hunter. That man is Magara Dirapenga – a legend in every sense of the word, albeit the fact that he is still living. Still living and hunting as hard as ever.

Magara began working for Roger Whittall in the early 1970s. His first job was that of sheep herder, but it wasn’t long before Roger noticed the young man’s remarkable tracking skill and took him on as a tracker. Magara has been Roger’s right hand man ever since and together they have hunted extensively throughout southern Africa. And I mean extensively – it is difficult to appreciate how much hunting either of them has done, but I do know that Magara has personally sport hunted over 300 elephant bulls. We won’t go into the rest right now.

I believe it was in 1981 that Magara, along with two other hunting legends – the late Dzingai Makoni and Magocha (second name escapes me) – were awarded honorary professional hunters licenses. This was in recognition of their experience and ability. Magocha has been Barrie Duckworth’s main man for roughly as long as Magara has worked for Roger, and Makoni hunted many years for Ian Piercy (Zambezi Hunters). These three men have collectively trained dozens upon dozens of Zimbabwean PH’s, including some of the very best hunters in Zim today. The list begins with Barrie Duckworth, Roger Whittall and Ian Piercy, and is still being added to each season. I would actually like to compile a list of all the PH’s who did some or all of their apprenticeships under one of these men. It would be quite a list, to be sure. I would also like to compile a list of all the clients they have hunted with, but that would be an almost impossible undertaking. I bet there are a fair number on AR.

Although Magara’s career has been filled with much diverse hunting, it is as an elephant hunter that he will be remembered. He is of unbelievable ability when it comes to tracking elephants – reading the story before it happens. It is indeed uncanny and I have seen it with my own eyes. We all hear about trackers who leave elephant spoor and head off to in seemingly mad fashion, only to lead hunters straight to the quarry, but how many trackers are actually capable of this? Magara Dirapenga is, and I am not the only guy who will vouch for that. Magara’s elephant hunting exploits could fill volumes and I sincerely hope that they do one day.

I hope you will join me in saluting Magara Dirapenga, and others of his ilk. I am posting a few pictures of Magara on the hunt. Unfortunately, I don’t have any Magara/elephant pictures right now, but I shall get some soon and post those too.

Dave




Following an elephant bull. This was early on in the chase - as things pick up pace, a twig will most often take the place of that finger.




Contemplating




Midday






The conclusion of another successful hunt guided by Magara: with Scott Hayman and a fantastic leopard in Chewore




Not only an elephant hunter: teaching PH Rich Tabor how to fish on the Zambezi River

Excellent!

Yes, Iv heard of Magara's ability's .

quote:

Unfortunately, I don’t have any Magara/elephant pictures right now, but I shall get some soon and post those too.

I think 500grains had some pictures of Magara helping on the recovery on one of his elephants. I guess that is moot now.

David,
I join you in saluting Magara. He truly is everything you describe and more. My wife and I spent 15 days in Chewore last year and Magara was our PH. It was as real as it gets. Thats me in the picture with Magara and the leopard. I will get busy and figure out how to post pictures and my story here on AR.
Scott Hayman

Scott,

Great to hear from you. I heard a little about your fantastic hunt with Magara when Winston Taylor sent me this picture. What you say is so true - Chewore and Magara = the absolute ultimate. Magara is so much more than I could ever describe, but I am currently making a concerted effort to write about him and a couple other guys. I look forward to the pictures and story, that would be great. I also look forward to meeting you one day.

Dave

David, Keep up the good work.I think it is great you are writing about Magara. Your contributions here on AR are appreciated. I too look forward to meeting you some day.
Scott

I hunted my first kudu with Magara on Humani in about 1973. we found out that his estimation of distance was a bit questionable, while hunting for rations it was getting a bit late, so we asked Magara how far it was back to the homestead, and he answered "3 miles" so we happily carried on hunting back in the direction he indicated. About an hour later, when we had not reached the house the same question was posed, and we got the same answer. It was the only anser he had. We got back to a worried farmstead at about 8.30 in the evening.
But as a bushman and tracker, he is incredible and it was a privilege to have hunted and learnt from him.

500nitro,

Good humor - not much has changed. Isn't the distance thing so true with many trackers?
'Tire pa dusi?' 'Are we close?'
'Pa dusi boss' 'Close boss.'
Ha, ha, it can go on for hours! To them it's close!

Thanks for that info. I would really like to chat further with guys like you and Scott Hayman.

Dave

Here is a picture of another one of the three legends - PH Dzingai Makoni of Zambezi Hunters. In the foreground, from left to right: PH Dzingai Makoni, Phylis Tucker and a youthful PH Jonathan Hulme, with a lion taken by Phylis in Dande. The picure was taken in the early 90s. Phylis Tucker took two lions on that trip, and a lot more besides. I wonder where she is now?

I wonder if anyone has a photo of Magocha to share with us? Mokore people?

Dave

Jonathan !

In my limited experience the general answer to the question of how far it is back to wherever you need to go is "Not far."

Be sure to pack a lunch.

David: The "manes" on the huntress and the PH almost rival those of the lion!

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

quote:

Unfortunately, I don’t have any Magara/elephant pictures right now, but I shall get some soon and post those too.

I think 500grains had some pictures of Magara helping on the recovery on one of his elephants. I guess that is moot now.

Isn't it sad that one of the most knowledgeable and informative members of this hunting forum has been banned for not having the same political views as the moderator.

So much for free speach!!

Expect this post to be censored in the very near future.

David, I met him while hunting at Humani in 98, he was a legend back then. Wish I had the jack to hunt a couple of elephants with him.
I wonder if he could have taught Richard "Snapper" Tabor to talk? Richard was my ph in 2001 and he wouldn't talk if you paid him! Ask Richard if he remembers his nickname "Snapper".?

quote:

Originally posted by pichon1:

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

quote:

Unfortunately, I don’t have any Magara/elephant pictures right now, but I shall get some soon and post those too.

I think 500grains had some pictures of Magara helping on the recovery on one of his elephants. I guess that is moot now.

Isn't it sad that one of the most knowledgeable and informative members of this hunting forum has been banned for not having the same political views as the moderator.

So much for free speach!!

Expect this post to be censored in the very near future.

You're absolutely correct.

quote:

Originally posted by David Hulme:
500nitro,

Good humor
'Pa dusi boss'.

Dave

Ahh.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by David Hulme:
500nitro,

Good humor
'Pa dusi boss'.

Dave

Ahh.

I know you've been there oz, probably many times! Just over that next hill eh?

sevenmag: I will ask 'snapper' if he remembers his name, ha ha. He has had many names since, as all of us have.

Dave