RE: Lunar phases and the Rut?
The moon stage doesn't effect rut per se. Photoperiod (the length of the days) is what starts, peaks and ends the primary rut.
By virtue of the fact that elk (and other critters) are more active during a full moon, regardless of the season, tends to make it appear that the moon is driving them crazy. It's because it's the rut anyway and everyone is out partying under a full moon.
I guess you could say it intensifies the rut, but not really. The activity would be just as intense if something else gets them moving like early snow etc.
It's just the fact that they are moving more and it's the rut.
Just like the myth that hot weather shuts them down. Not so. They just aren't moving as much and rutting activity will be somewhat compressed to late night/very early morning and taper a bit earlier as it heats up.