Moon phase and the rut

[SkookumHntr]

What are your guy's thoughts on moon phase and the rut? I've read the backside of the full moon phase is when they really get cranked up!

[cbond3318]

It has nothing to do with it. But I'm no expert.

[Jonathan_S]

"cranked up" how?

The thing I care about is weather.  Whether it's cranked up rut or calmer, I want cool weather because when it is hot outside, it's not going to appear to be a "cranked up" rut until about 1 am.

[cbond3318]

It has more to do with how her day has been, whether the kids have been good, does she have a headache, etc. Those for me have been more "a" typical to whether or not it gets "cranked up" 

[Jonathan_S]

 

[HighCountryHunter88]

i think it plays a part.. this last season in MT we hardly saw any rut activity in our area the second and third week of sept with cool weather, it even snowed. i was glassing bulls still grouped up showing no rut activity at all on sept 16th. the year before the bulls were going crazy and the rut was full on. so i think both moonphase and weather both play parts on how much rut activity is going on

[Big6bull]

The only thing that I have seen personally is that the elk seem more shut down for most of the day, I see more mid day activity though and I think there just more active while they have that big light at night. I have read a lot both sides affecting rut but I'm no expert and am not convinced either way

[Roosevelt]

I've heard experts say it has no affect and heard others say they study it.  I fall somewhere in between.  I think if it is a full moon and it is a clear night we see less activity in the morning but occasionally can mean they get up mid day too.  If you ask me the weather has far more influence than the moon does.  We watch the barometric pressure a little and if it falls then vocalization picks up.  However, we hunt no matter what because the season is short and we want all the time we can get.  If there is the biggest moon history, the skies are clear, and it's going to be 100 degrees I'm still going to give it everything I got!

[big wood]

1 word. (equinox)

[coachcw]

I hate a full moon less activity daylight hours. I have had success midway during full moons

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

One main variable that stands above all is elk need water and lots of it during the rut.

[PlateauNDN]

I believe the full moon plays a part. The last few years it seems theyre less active vocally right before and during full moons and very active right after. Just my  and this was in several different units 

[Miles]

One things for sure...the elk live in the woods.

[huntnnw]

Never cared never will...elk and like all animals have a window they need to breed so that their calves are not born too early in the spring where they could freeze or to late that they are not strong enough come winter. More or less if you have alot of mature bulls in your area you will hear alot of bugling regardless of the moon

[BULLBLASTER]

  i have never paid any attention to moon phase whatso ever. Just get out and hunt!