Picking a date for my 2014 trip to RSA(My first safari)

[cptkirk]

I am very close to booking my first safari in the Limpopo area of South Africa. I have been doing a bit of research and am leaning towards booking for the last week of August. I picked this date for the low rainfall amounts and the no moon phase. Temperature is not a big concern with me as I am a resident of Wisconsin in the USA and am used to hunting deer in weather that can range anywhere from -15 degrees F during gun season to 80 degrees F in bow season. Are there any other factors I am missing which I should take into consideration?

 

[TOM]

Bow or rifle?

 

[BRICKBURN]

You took, precipitation and moon phase into consideration.
You hunting alone;
Species to be hunted;
# days;
Exclusivity;
........

 

[bluey]

l always plan my hunting trips by the moon phase to cptkirk
truethfully l pretty do everything by the moon specially work,but l pretty much think of what the moon is doing for most things outdoors
rain is the least of my concern and prefer to stalk in drizzle whether hunting with firearm or bow everything is so much quieter and movement seems to be amplified.
we hunted Limpopo in may and it was great for stalking with bow with water everywhere and all the prikle bushes had leaves on them and grass everywhere.

 

[SNIPER59]

In all honesty, I don't think that anyone will find a difference in moon phases to be an issue in Africa...the game is so plentiful that you will more likely have trouble choosing an animal than in finding an animal. Once you get there, you will understand...hahaha!

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

In all honesty, I don't think that anyone will find a difference in moon phases to be an issue in Africa...the game is so plentiful that you will more likely have trouble choosing an animal than in finding an animal. Once you get there, you will understand...hahaha!

I would have to disagree SNIPER, moon has a very large influence on day movement, especially when hunting large areas... To a bow hunt this could be detrimental to say the least.

When hunting a large area with rifle, it most definitely has an influence as well.

As Brickburn touched on, exclusivity can be a big bonus as well as well as number of days and species of preference.

I am sure you'll have an awesome time... happy planning!!

My best always

 

[Divernhunter]

I just returned and the moon did not effect our hunting at all. It was fantastic with at least 3 animals making the book. I am told the monster Impala will be near the top not the bottom. If you like spot and stalk then try Iliwa Safaris near Port Elizabeth for great hunting on animals born and raied on the place and no blinds. No hunting from blinds over water holes and feeding stations. Tons of great game.
If you talk to them tell them Doug Thomas said Hi.

 

[Bobpuckett]

I would have to disagree SNIPER, moon has a very large influence on day movement, especially when hunting large areas... To a bow hunt this could be detrimental to say the least.

When hunting a large area with rifle, it most definitely has an influence as well.

As Brickburn touched on, exclusivity can be a big bonus as well as well as number of days and species of preference.

I am sure you'll have an awesome time... happy planning!!

My best always

+1 My last hunt last year I didn't take the moon in to Consideration and ended up not taking every thing on my list as I DID ON MY FIRST HUNT the moon means everything even on fenced farms unless there's just no brush or trees.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I almost have to agree with both the last two posts. The moon certainly makes a difference, but with the amount of game around, its will certainly not mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful trip. If the moon is bright, you just have to work a little bit harder. If your PH is worth his salt, he should have the experience to get the job done, no matter what the moon is doing.

 

[BWH]

I hope that moon phase is not "too" big of an issue...... I was told by many, that is not a big deal in S.A.. My first day in camp will be a Full Moon.

 

[gillettehunter]

I have only been to Africa 2 times, but have a lot of other hunting experience. My thought is that the moon phase is not a deal breaker. It is USUALLY easier away from the full moon. If you look at the OP he is booking for 2014. Why not book for the dark of the moon and take any edge it gives you. Its a small detail to be sure, but it could make a difference. Booking and planning that far in advance means you can try to get the BEST possible set of circumstances in your favor.
I have been in May and in Aug. Late in the year the animals have had more recent hunting pressure than earlier in the season. Perhaps a bit more picked through and jumpy. I kind of like earlier in the season. Just me. Bruce

 

[TOM]

I usually like dark moon but this years safari dates were during full. Not ideal but not a deal breaker either.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Agreed. Definitely not a deal breaker but does make it slightly easier.

 

[BWH]

I'm booked to go May of 2014.... No plane tickets bought. I'll get with PH & see if it makes sense to move up or back a week. As it stands now, my arrival day is big moon.

 

[cptkirk]

You took, precipitation and moon phase into consideration.
You hunting alone;
Species to be hunted;
# days;
Exclusivity;
........

I am hunting solo with a PH and whatever additional trackers that come with the safari. It is a 7 day hunt for plains game animals. Blue wildebeast, impala, zebra, and a few others time and luck permitting. The hunt is with Wathog Safaris (I won this safari at a rocky mountain elk foundation banquet) and it is on their property.

 

[cptkirk]

Bow or rifle?

Rifle hunt for my first i guess, though I do bow hunt and also have a nice In-line black powder rifle I may bring along for kicks.

 

[Bobpuckett]

I'm booked to go May of 2014.... No plane tickets bought. I'll get with PH & see if it makes sense to move up or back a week. As it stands now, my arrival day is big moon.

You've picked a good month May is when I alway go for several reasons June 2 is my Birthday and I like to be hunting on my Birthday its their winter so the weather will be cooler and the Kudu will be in the rut but mostly cause its winter and that means little or no SNAKES.

 

[BWH]

April will be my 40th.... the hunt is present to myself.

 

[cptkirk]

You've picked a good month May is when I alway go for several reasons June 2 is my Birthday and I like to be hunting on my Birthday its their winter so the weather will be cooler and the Kudu will be in the rut but mostly cause its winter and that means little or no SNAKES.

I picked late August because my wifes birthday falls in the week I want to go. She gets to come as a non-hunter so it should be fun to celebrate her birthday in camp.

 

[cptkirk]

I have only been to Africa 2 times, but have a lot of other hunting experience. My thought is that the moon phase is not a deal breaker. It is USUALLY easier away from the full moon. If you look at the OP he is booking for 2014. Why not book for the dark of the moon and take any edge it gives you. Its a small detail to be sure, but it could make a difference. Booking and planning that far in advance means you can try to get the BEST possible set of circumstances in your favor.
I have been in May and in Aug. Late in the year the animals have had more recent hunting pressure than earlier in the season. Perhaps a bit more picked through and jumpy. I kind of like earlier in the season. Just me. Bruce

From what I have read most hunting occurs from April to August. Good point about the animals being a little skittish from being hunted.
As for being picked through, this is something I have been thinking about a lot too. I have never been much of a trophy hunter. Most of my experience hunting has been taking game for the table at home. This hunt will change all that since the meat stays in Africa. I know some of the meat will be used in camp to supplement the menu and the rest will be eaten by the locals which makes me happy as I don't want what I kill to go to waste. While taking animals that will make the books is the goal of many, which I have absolutely no problem with, I think for me personally I will probably be satisfied with taking animals slightly above average as good representatives of the species. Don't get me wrong, if a true wall hanger presents me with an opportunity, it lights out.