RE: Lunar phases and the Rut?
The full moon most definately has an effect on rutting elk. Since elk are starting to put on their winter coats the coolness of night allows them more time to rut without over heating. This gives them a short time during new moon time frames to be able to see competitors coming. But put in to works the full moon and they have the entire time the moon is up to rut. Even though an elks nocturnal vision is good, the full moon gives the bulls an advantage over the young upstarts trying to steal cows. Now if the full moon is out during the day, which happens, the elk gain no plus from its light. If the rise of the full moon is around 10pm the elk may not get outof their beds until the mon rises. Kind of ruins the evening hunt.
Gselkhunter