Animal movement in SA

[dreaming]

In hunting the Eastern Cape, what animals are primarily dawn/dusk movers? I know some species move most of the day, but have heard that Kudu and Bushbuck tend to act like our whitetails and move on the edges of the day. Thanks for your advice.

 

[enysse]

It is true the kudu move more in the dusk and dawn....but you can spot them moving during the middle of day...especially during the rut. My experience with bushbuck is that they are most nocturnal...but you will see them on the edges at dawn and dusk (around more open ground), but you can also spot them by glassing in the brush or under trees, if you know what you are looking for....they can be tricky...because they are so small....they tend to be nervous...a lot. Shots will be tight...and tricky...because they are small...this causes a lot of misses.

 

[vgruan]

Dreaming,

If it is cold while you hunt you will find both kudu and bushbuck early in the mornings against the hills sunning themselves after cold nights and also before dark they will be against the hills catching the last bit of sun before the cold night sets in.

What we do is to drive roads close to these hills until a potential trophy has been spotted. Then we work out a stalk to the animals and the good thing about this is that most of the time you can use the sun in your advantage because it still sits low and will be right in the animals eyes.

Another alternative that I use a lot is to sit and glass from a higher spot a little later in the day as the kudu then move from the hills into thicker brush. This way you can spot and stalk them much easier with them being totally relaxed.

Good luck on your hunt and let us know how it worked out for you,

 

[enysse]

Jacque, thanks for the input, I think it is excellent advice to a first time hunter.

 

[vgruan]

Thank you Enysse you also pointed out good information that I did not have to repeat again....

 

[dwerner]

The previous comments are certainly valid. Animal movement can also be influenced by the phase of the moon. Species like kudu, gemsbok etc. tend to move around more at night when the moon id full. Hunting pressure also influences movement when many animals become nocturnal.