Moon Phase & September

[dreamingbig]

It looks like there is a full moon on September 4th, new moon on September 18th, first quarter on September 25th, and then not full again until October 3rd.  I have my opinions on how this will affect early elk season but I would love to hear from everyone else.  Do you think this is a favorable moon phase?

[matlockmike]

I don't have an opinion on it but that is because I simply don't know anything about moon phases.  I would like to know about it though.

[WDFW-SUX]

 

[Whitenuckles]

Looks like the muzzle loaders will hit it just right. Hopefully a cold front will move in around the 4th of sept. that might give us some activity.

[whacker1]

My only opinion on moon phases comes with how much light they have at night to be able to feed.  Semi-nocturnal animals typically don't feed when there is no moon, so they are likely to be more active morning and evening and for more daylight hours.  Clouds will also bury the moon and can play the same role, but not as predictable as the moon phases.  Just my two cents.  I am sure there is much more to it than the basic info I have shared.

[colockumelk]

I agree.  The only difference I have noted is that for a full moon they feed more at night and thus bed down earlier.  Like by 730.  So it makes it more important to be out there even earlier.  I've read that moon phases affect the timing of the rut for whitetails.  Don't know if it does the same for elk.

As far as the temperature goes.  That doesn't affect them IMHO.  They still rut in September.  It does affect how early they go to bed and when they get up, which is why most people think the heat makes them not rut.  I've read that length of the day has far more to do with the timing of the rut than the heat does.  I have noticed that in WA the peak of the rut is about a week later than in other states.

[Intruder]

IMO none of it effects the rut per se'.  The rut is entirely dependent on the length of days and corresponding hormonal changes.  Moon phase, tempature/weather, hunting pressure, etc. do effect the animals for sure and influence their activity levels.  Those things also effect our preception of things.  It's easy to create self fullfilling prophecy's if you get to tied into uncontrolable factors.    

[colockumelk]

I agree.  I think people think that just becaue they don't hear them bugling and don't see them running about at 8 or 9 in the morning or at 7 pm they think they are not rutting.  During hot years and full moon type of phases I've heard them bugling and running around like crazy at 4 am.  Weather and the moon just affect when they go to bed and when they go to sleep. 

Another tidbit is if it's super hot they have to drink more water.  They can be quite active between 1-3PM.  However I'd venture to say that 99% of guys are back in camp by then.  If you find a place where they've been watering and it's hot as hell.  Sit there all day.  It's boring, uncomfortable and hot with bugs.  But you will see something.   

[Austrian Hunter]

I have never had any luck on full moon hunts.     It makes sense that they will move allot more at night if there is a full moon and less if there is no moon. 

[matlockmike]

Love the info,  this kind of info is why I'm on this board.

[HUNT]

I think a new moon will cause animals to feed minimal an night.  They will feed more and be much more active during the day during a new moon.  I seem to see more animals in the open longer during a new moon.  Although I hunt no matter the moon phase and have been very successful.

 

Another tidbit is if it's super hot they have to drink more water.  They can be quite active between 1-3PM.  However I'd venture to say that 99% of guys are back in camp by then. 

This is why I hunt from before dawn to after dusk.  I have killed many a bull at noon.

[Bigshooter]

I hate a full moon when I am hunting. 

If its hotter than hell and there is not a full moon when do the elk due most of there rutting?  Very early mourning and very late in the evening? 

I think hot weather with out doubt slows down the rut when there is not a full moon.  Not stop it, just make it slower and last longer.  During hot Septembers I have seen elk rutting hard in to the middle of October and even later.   

[elkman11032]

you know 3 seasons ago it was rainy the whole 1st week, and elk were going crazy.... 2 years ago it was hott as hell but the elk were still somewhat active more so at night... and last year it was hot and sunny again, elk were screaming at 5 am but once the sun hit, they stopped. but not until the last day when it rained like crazy did the elk bugle all day long......

the elk man

[Houndhunter]

elk always rut at night no matter what moon phase i think, but having a full moon doesnt help

[adam.WI]

I've never seen much affect of the moon phase on whitetails in WI, late Oct and a cold front-THE RUT IS ON- what does this mean for elk maybe nothing , but regardless I will be up and out in the woods bright and early on opening morning regardless of where the moon is.