Just wanted to get some input from a knowlegdeable group of individuals on what effect (if any) that hunting African game during a full moon has, particularly with regard to sitatunga.

Jaglav,

I personally think the moon phase is very important. Concerning sitatunga specifically it was very obvious to me on my two sitatunga hunts that hunting them on dark of the moon was far better than on the full moon. On the dark of the moon the bulls stay out of the payrus longer in the morning and come out earlier in the evening.

Mark

Just an observation here, and have 0 knowledge about African hunting of any kind. However I have, over the years noticed that moon phases can and do play a significant role in game movement/activity where I hunt here in Texas.

Don't know anything about sitatunga, but just got back from Tazania. Was just a sliver of moon at start of safari and went to full by the end. Saw much more game during the first half of the safari. Several days toward the end were rather slow as far as volume of game spotted. We still did well, just saw fewer animals. Coincidence?

http://lunaf.com/english/moon-...lunar-calendar-2014/

I found this and i am using this to plan my trip next year.

When I hunted Africa the PH paid little attention to the moonphase except when hunting Leopard and he had definite beliefs that Leopards were greatly affected by the full moon. He was and is greatly successful at hunting them so maybe he was right.

Hunting sitatunga during full moon is difficult.

Whether Sitatunga, elk, or White-tailed deer...hunting during a full moon is always more difficult.

A lot of game feed at night regardless of the moon conditions and so move around less during daylight hours.

That said, I don't believe there is sufficient evidence to plan a full hunt around the moon phases unless Leopard hunting, and more specifically Leopard hunting on ranch land. Speaking from experience, I did find they were more difficult to encounter during brightly lit nights.

A general 14 day safari takes in periods of bright moonlight and periods of darkness. I can't recall any posts whereby a client has described a difficult hunt because of the moon.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Whether Sitatunga, elk, or White-tailed deer...hunting during a full moon is always more difficult.

A good torch is always handy.

I shot a spotted hyena on a full moon in June. We also saw two leopard the night before, and also during that full moon. One leopard was just in front of the blind, and the second leopard was at the bait and spent quite a bit of time there. (No leopard tag unfortunately) With that said, I have had easier hunting overall in Africa and here in the West during the dark of the moon.

Thanks for all the replies. Greatly appreciated.

If. You were to believe two of our PH's the animals may as well be living in underground tunnels during a full moon phase!!!

K

When our truck broke down on the way back to camp, I was glad it was a full moon walking back to camp