Man Magnum Jan/Feb 2025

HUNTING has been one of the main contributors of good memories in my life. I most enjoy hunting alone, as it gives me the opportunity to enjoy nature without any distractions, although having an old rifle and a good dog as companion is hard to beat. These two hunting companions, especially the dog, really help create unforgettable memories. Reminiscences of my first gundog are tinged with regret, mainly because I was not able to train her properly, never finding the time in my busy schedule. This was inexcusable. When the time came to get a second German shorthaired pointer, I was much better prepared. He started his adventurous life being carried around in the bush in my sleeveless hunting jacket’s pocket when he was only 5 weeks old. At 12…

A More Balanced Magazine I am a fairly new subscriber to Man Magnum although I’ve been an avid purchaser for many years. I realise that a lot of effort goes into putting together a publication such as this and I look forward to receiving each new issue. However, this month I was rather disappointed to find no less than 14 articles devoted to hunting or hunting rifles. I am not sure whether this means that the majority of Man Magnum’s subscribers are hunters? I have not noticed the skewed emphasis towards hunters in the most recent editions and am not implying that this has been the case in the past. If the current edition’s focus is out of the norm, then I feel my concern is unwarranted. If not, then…

Calling all readers…. Do you have a story that would be of interest to Magnum’s readers? We are looking for new articles to publish in Magnum and encourage you to consider writing something for us of your hunting, wingshooting, or similar, firearm experiences. We like our articles to have something different; a special or funny experience, odd animal behavior, an important milestone, a lesson learned, an element of intrigue…whatever applies. We aim to be as informative as possible while at the same time providing an entertaining read. Before you start writing, please contact us to receive a free copy of Magnum’s Writers’ Guidelines and to bounce your article ideas off us. Email Gail Osborne at gosborne@manmagnum.co.za for a copy of our Writers’ Guidelines and to check on your article ideas.…

ONE OF the things I enjoy about staying at game lodges is that you meet people from all walks of life and hear such interesting stories. Our group gathered around the fire in the lapa that night included Zimbabweans Rob Lowson and Paul Sparks. Rob introduced Paul as the man who had opened the first commercial hot-air balloon safari business in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Paul had based the operation on Chief’s Island and was flying out of Stanley Camp. Rob explained that, although flying balloons in the wilds of the Moremi Reserve was risky, the romance and uniqueness of the venture presented an exciting opportunity and was also quite lucrative. Paul’s team had recently had an extraordinary adventure in the Delta, and now Rob was urging Paul to tell…

VARIOUS Derya firearms have featured in Magnum during the last year and so far all have been well made, quality firearms at affordable prices. We recently received the Derya DY9 pistol to test – a double stack striker-fired 9mmP based on the Glock 19 Gen 3. It’s Glock heritage is immediately obvious as it uses Glock magazines and, on field stripping, the internals closely resemble the Glock. However, there are quite a few features that differentiate the DY9 from the Glock, most notable being the sights and better ergonomics. More on this later. The Derya pistol is similar in size to the Glock 19 with an overall length of 175mm, is 29.5mm wide and 115.9mm high. It has a 4-inch (102mm) barrel. Empty weight is 670g and the trigger…

AFRICA is home to a wide variety of antelope species, some of which are strikingly beautiful while others are majestic in size and appearance. The Alcelaphus or hartebeest family, however, will never win any beauty contests. Our Cape or red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) and its cousins (nine subspecies in total) all have long, narrow heads, pointed ears, high withers, sloping backlines, thin legs and oddly shaped horns. However, despite its ungainly looks, the hartebeest is arguably Africa’s fleetest antelope, capable of reaching 75kph. To me, our red hartebeest is the best looking of the bunch and it certainly has a beautiful and effortless gallop that I admire. I find a big red hartebeest bull actually quite striking, but maybe it’s just because red is my favourite colour. The name…