Full moon activity

[audsley]

When the moon is not full, I generally find more deer in the mornings than in the afternoons. Probably because it's cooler. But it's been my impression that during full moon periods (such as we'll have opening weekend of this year's November hunt) many Coues bed down right around sunrise or even a little before. And possibly for that reason, they may get up a little earlier than usual in the afternoon.

 

But that's just my experience. Does this seem accurate to the rest of you?

 

Of course, this is purely an academic question because I'll be hunting both the morning and the afternoon each day I'm out. I'm just trying to make some sense of what I'm probably going to experience a couple of weeks from now.

[CouesWhitetail]

What I have found is that it is much easier to predict deer activity based on temperature and wind than it is on moon phase. I have seen lots of deer activity in the early mornings following a full moon. But I have also had times when I saw very little activity following a full moon. So I am not completely convinced that just having a full moon means anything. I know lots of hunters will disagree with me.

 

But do you really think deer need a full moon to see at night? Ever watched a deer feeding at sunset and seen them active right up until you couldn't see anymore? Do you think they just laid down because it was dark? Ever walked to your hunting area in the dark and heard deer snort and run? I have and it wasn't a full moon, yet they were up feeding in the dark anyway.

 

I think that if it's hot out, or if there is a lot of hunting pressure, or if there has been a lot of wind during the day, the deer are more likely to feed at night.

 

Deer have to balance the amount of energy they take in with the amount of energy it takes to get that food and avoid predators (human and otherwise). When it's too hot or too cold or too windy, they would use up more energy than they would get by feeding (or are too susceptible to predators as in windy conditions), so they rest until conditions are better.

 

If you search the internet for info on deer activity and the moon you will find all kinds of theories. Some hunting groups have plotted out when they have killed deer most often and found deer activity is highest during the first quarter and during the full moon. Other people say that they full moon is the worst for hunting conditions. And still other people say that the position of the moon is very important. That if the moon is directly above or directly below you, that deer activity will be highest.

 

I am curious as to what experiences you guys have to share regarding this.

 

Amanda

[CHD]

Hey Amanda & Audsley,

 

I will take you up on your offer of discussion on this cold winter night.

 

I really don't have an opinion on whether moon phases are important or not. I quit trying to figure this out and formulate patterns years ago. If others believe in this, more power to them. Whatever works for the individual and gives them confidence is fine with me.

 

I have been on a lot of hunts for many species all over the west in the last 30 years. It never seems to fail that there is a full moon during my long awaited hunt. What do I do about it? NOTHING! My contention on moon phases is that I am going to focus on mornings and evenings particularly hard anyway, whether full or no moon. Depending on the weather, time of year, terrain, and hunting season pressure I will determine the viability of hunting during the midday hours. So why does the moon phase matter? If it's a full moon, should you stay on the couch and watch TV all day? Should you head for the whiskey shop and get liquored up instead? If the moon is under foot, should you hunt any harder than you normally do? Heck no, you should be hunting hard regardless! Get out there and GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT at all times, regardless of the moon. Hunt seriously and intensely at all times if you want a great animal! You may get liver cancer next month, so hunt hard and enjoy it while you can! Plenty of great animals have been harvested during odd moon phases.

 

Most hunts in the west are less than a week long. You usually are not given a choice in hunting based on moon phases anyway. If you want the hunt, you get whichever moon phase it is. If a season is a month long, I prefer to base my scheduled one week or so on PREDICTED ANIMAL HABITS AND BEHAVIORS and not the moon phase.

 

I have a buddy that used his 10 Colorado preference points (10 years worth - a lot of pressure!) this year to draw a 5-day muley hunt in a great unit. He immediately starting worrying about the full moon several months before the season. My response to him was SO WHAT, YOU ALREADY HAVE THE TAG ANYWAY!!! You had no choice in the dates if you wanted the hunt, and you have no control over the moon. Ignore it and don't even worry about it. It is out of your control! He ended up seeing 13 bucks over 170 and a couple over 190 because of the weather and the rut, and narrowly missed a 210 nontypical.

 

15 years ago I took a nice muley in Nevada when he got up to feed on tall sagebrush at noon after a full moon. At the time I thought okay, he was in his bed at first light due to intensive feeding all night. He just got hungry at midday, earlier than usual due to his early breakfast. The state biologist even suggested the same thing. But I have yet to see this pattern again in other deer on a regular basis.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with you Amanda. I hunt based solely on predicted animal habits and behavioral patterns, and nothing else. A spooked buck ain't gonna come out during daylight even with the moon's blessing, and a rutting buck doesn't care about the moon because his mind is on other things! I hunt the same regardless of the moon phase. I give it all I got and hope for the best.

 

Chris Darnell

Edited January 1, 1970 by CHD

[Guest Ernesto C]

TWO THUMBS UP for CHD I agree,it doesn't matter if the moon is full,new or half way,it doesn't matter if it is friday,sunday or wednesday if it is time to hunt,you hunt period.

 

You spent a year waiting to go hunt,what are you going to do if before sending your aplication you find out there will be a full moon? not mail it out?

 

I was able to harvest bucks in the past with or without moon. I dont worry about the moon, I dont even think about it. Thanks.

 

Ernesto C.

[galiuro mountain man]

One other thing I have noticed is if there are no people around the deer move most of the day, full moon, no moon, summer, or winter. I think the full moon only comes into effect when there is a lot of hunting pressure. I have cold camped at times it was so bright out at night I could see very well, and could walk around without a flashlight with no problems. Then the next day I would see deer all day long.

So I am archery hunting this weekend and Im not worried about a full moon, I go to the most rugged areas in the galiuro wilderness and hike. Thats where the biggest bucks I have ever seen are. Any one worried about the moon sould give this a try also, you do have to work for your deer, but it is worth it.

Good Luck Everyone

[CouesWhitetail]

Have fun in the Galiuros!! I have done some backpack hunting in there too and it is awesome! Let us know how you do!

 

I am heading out this weekend in Unit 24A and I just can't wait. Gonna backpack hunt a really neat area I have scouted a few times.

 

Amanda

[Dodger]

I've worried about the full moon on all my hunts. It seems like there is a full moon every year I go. So I hunt almost all day (break for lunch) and get back at or after dark. However, when I think about it, all the deer I have shot have been around 3:00 in the afternoon. Go figure... Maybe I should just lounge in camp until 2:00 and then head out

[az4life]

Hey Amanda!

Good luck in 24A. I will be listening for your shot across the road in 24B!

Happy Hunting to all! and Be safe!

Remember, AZ doesn't give any Reindeer tags so be sure of your target!

[Guest Mike]

Moon phase is overated. Nothing to sweat over or even make a decision as when to hunt. If you have a good pair of binocs and are patient, finding them in their beds is not that difficult anyway. Most bucks I have seen have been around midday.

[Guest Tom]

Mike,

 

I totally agree with you. For the past 5 years I have been keeping mental notes of the moon phases and deer activity. Each year is different. I really believe that the weather is the true key.....cool fronts, high pressure systems, ect... are what causes the deer to move or not move (except during the rut).

The past two years (Nov hunts) my good friend and hunting buddy have both been successful mainly because of glassing, glassing and more glassing all day long. In 2001 I shot a nice 3 point at 1:00 pm in its bed. He had been bedded up all morning long. The moon was at its highest point at 10:00 AM and was only 8% illuminated. According to all the experts this deer should have been most active in the A.M. but he wasn't. The following year it was 1:00 PM when 2 bucks (both 80") got out of their beds and began to move and feed. The moon was supposed to rise at 3:45 PM. The moon was 88% full. Also both of these bucks were very active in the morning after a nearly full moon the previous night. Again, according to the experts this should not have happened. In both years the hunting pressure was the same (non existent). The weather conditions were different though. Start watching the weather and pattern your deer. You'll be surprised. Also hunt all day. You'll be surprised at the deer you will see feeding in the middle of the day. Two years ago we saw 18 coues feeding and moving at 1:30pm. By no means am I saying that the afternoon is the best hunting but they eat lunch too.

 

Tom