Hi Guys

This is to all the hunters out there who have often wondered why or what went wrong with no vaild reason for not seeing any game, the fundi's of the hunting world - ie, shakari, ganyana, etc please give us your opinion on the below.

Thanks

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Solunar: Predicting Animal Movement By Moon Phase


Solunar is the term used for the belief that the movement of game animals can be predicted by knowing the different phases of the moon. There are many hunters that believe their odds of seeing game animals increase according to the different phases of the moon.

In 1926 John Alden Knight conducted extensive research on fresh and saltwater fish, compiling 33 factors that influence or control their day-to-day behavior. Through the process of elimination each factor was carefully examined and rejected, reducing the factors down to the three most important; the sun, moon, and tides. He examined 200 catches of fish, and found that over 90% of the catches were made during the dark of the moon (new moon) when the effects appear to be greatest, also noted that the catches were made during the actual times of the solunar periods.

From 1935 to 1939 J.A. Knight also made extensive studies on game birds and animals. As he had expected, game animals also responded to the phenomenon of the sun, moon phases, and tides. Although hunters are out in the field all day, we all know that wildlife tend to be up, and feeding early morning; then at evening, and during night. So while a hunter may be out in the field all day, his efforts will be concentrated on early morning and late evening. But what solunar gives the hunter is knowledge of animal activity other than the normal times of early morning and late evening.



There are major and minor solunar periods that occur during the times of SUNRISE and SUNSET during a FULL or a NEW MOON. What increases the movement and activity of game animals is when there is a MOONRISE (moon over-head) OR MOONSET (moon under-foot) during the periods of a FULL or NEW MOON. So in order to be in the right place, at the right time, you want a period when the moon is up in the sky during SUNRISE! Or know that it is directly UNDERFOOT during SUNRISE! You’ll likely catch them out in the open. Moon over-head and under-foot during SUNSET is also very good.
Solunar can be affected by weather and other outside forces. Hunting pressure, extreme heat, high winds, cold fronts, and falling barometer fluctuations can shut animals down. But these favorable conditions can increase your chances of success during a hunt. A favorable condition is when a solunar period occurs within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset. If there is a moon over-head or moon under-foot at the same time, hunting is even better. And the most favorable time is when these conditions occur during a Full or New Moon. It is always important to note the time and date you take an animal down, to add to your knowledge of game animal movement.

John Alden Knight through his research, concluded that the sun, moon and tides do indeed affect the behavior and movement of wildlife according to moon phase. There are many hunting experts who have written books and created charts on the subject. Charts can be found in many hunting magazines and on the internet.


Material provided by Rifle Accuracy Reports

_________________

Hi Aubrey,

Hope you had a good and productive time in the States BTW!

I have regular debates with my old hunting buddy Peter Lang (amongst others) on this.

Personally I think a lot depends on on area and sometimes on particular species. Those areas with a lot of large predator pressure seem to see a lot of behaviour change in most if not all species, but those areas that have little or no large predator pressure seem to not to pay too much attention to moon phase. If I had to name one species that always seems to me to be particularly sensitive to moon phase, it'd be bushpigs.

A lot of people seem to be very charry about hunting Leopards over the full moon period, but I reckon close to half the Leopards I've taken over the years have been taken in that full moon period. - I do however, make a point of always, but always having a thick roof on the blind whatever the moon phase. - If anything, I think it makes the Leopards a lot more civilised and obliging, because they usually come to feed nice and early before the fullish moon rises, which gets us back to camp in plenty of time for a good kabubi!

I have to say I think the fullish moon does affect fish a hell of a lot though. All anyone has to do to see proof of that is to go to somewhere like the Limpopo at the fullish moon and watch the massive catfish runs there.

This link might be of help to some: http://www.shakariconnection.com/moon-phases.html

Hi Steve

Thanks for the reply, I think I am going to sit up on the bushpigs at different phases of the moon just to see what the results would be - should be interesting. I know the guys who do the culling in the Free State prefer not to do it in the Dark Moon? Stand to be corrected?

The states - well there was a lot of enquiries, etc, but my main objective was to meet with outfitters and operators who would could try and tie up with regards to client needs, I will be putting my thoughts on both Reno and Dallas within the next few days on the other post.

Will be in contact soon

Thanks

Aubrey

I watch the cattle, especially on some of the Texas ranches where they are half wild anyway. If they are lying down, so are the deer. They seem to feed most actively with moon overhead, or moon under foot.......that info should be worth a lot, ....$.02 ???

Is the moon cycle observed as the same world wide? As in.... full moon in Alaska equals full moon in Zambia?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Is the moon cycle observed as the same world wide? As in.... full moon in Alaska equals full moon in Zambia?

Yup.

No such thing as a dumb question right?


So.....Buffalo better or worse with a full moon?

Heres a link that shows you moon phases for anyplace.
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/moonphases.html

I helped a landowner friend download a mess of pics from his trailcam last year, and there was a distinct correlation between moon phase and time of most activity, as we had always surmised.

During the period around full moon, the night-time activity picked up markedly, while daytime activity dropped. Naturally the reverse was the case on dark nights.

I expect my friend's leopards feed well around full moon, while hunters work their butts off for a daylight sighting

I have seen that with Kudu we did a management hunt about 8 years ago. we had to cull 14 kudu cows and young bulls it was full moon i walked 3 days and only saw one kudu cow's tail as she ran away the 3rd evening we took a night drive guess what there was kudus everywhere i shot 6 with .22 that evening all under 40m with full moon they grace at night and didnt move as much during the day