In North America, obviously we have far fewer big game species to hunt than in Africa. Some of you have only two or three in your states. In north-central Colorado, I have seven within a half hour drive of our headquarters and the eighth, desert sheep, about four hours away. Many of these species go into estrus (rut) at completely different times while others overlap. The estrus cycle is determined by the photo period (the amount of sunlight that strikes the eye, which activates the glands) and not by weather, moon phase, snow, etc… However, the daytime intensity of the rut and animal feeding behavior are affected by the weather and moon phase. This year is a perfect and glaring example.
On the Eastern Plains of Northern Colorado, we usually see even some of the big mature bucks start to travel more to check for early estrus females on about October 29th. While this is certainly not the peak of the rut, the bucks have been waiting for the rut for several months and are getting antsy. This year, however, it was so hot that the mature bucks were not moving until after dark or traveling with the females. These bucks are full of fat from eating irrigated crops for months and the heat makes them lethargic. If it had been cooler, they would have started to move, even though they know it might be a bit early and futile.
As for the moon, it matters more outside of the rut than in the peak of the rut. A full moon causes our animals to be more active at night. They are out of the farm fields before daylight with a full rumen. However, they are more active earlier in the afternoon, so it’s a trade-off. They feed the same number of hours no matter what the moon phase is in. Really cold weather can increase their caloric needs but when the rumen is full, it’s full. As they chew their cud and empty the rumen, they will feed again, even in daylight when it’s really cold.
I’ve had elk hunters tell me the elk are not rutting because it’s too hot or because of a full moon. Actually, they are just more active at night and this affects the morning hunt. They are still rutting and the rut has started.
As for most parts of Africa with the megafauna (dozens of big game species in one area), I don’t pay as much attention to the rut or the moon for plains game unless the booking early enough that I have my pick of dates. With so many species, something is always moving and if you hunt hard, you will be rewarded. To me, the vegetation and burning is much more important. In Southern Africa, I avoid April, May and June for plains game. In some areas, early is good for cat hunting, however. Lions, in particular, change up their prey preferences depending upon the height of the grass. Once an area is extensively burned, lion hunting can get tougher if they move out.
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