Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Ridgerunner on July 10, 2025, 07:52:55 AM

Title: Full moon and last week of September
Post by: Ridgerunner on July 10, 2025, 07:52:55 AM: What is your guys experience with the elk rut and hunting this last week of September when there is a full moon? Do things really slow down significantly?

Looking at a hunt for 2026 that opens on September 26th but that is a full moon. I'm wondering if I am better off holding off one more year when the moon phase will be much darker.
Title: Re: Full moon and last week of September
Post by: dreamingbig on July 10, 2025, 08:11:57 AM: Moon phase doesn’t impact the rut but it does alter the most productive time of day to hunt the elk. I hunt all phases and will alter my plan of attack.

Example - bulls get antsy earlier in the afternoon on a full moon because on average the lead cow will take them to bed earlier.

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Title: Re: Full moon and last week of September
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on July 10, 2025, 08:26:45 AM: Personally, I wouldn’t postpone a hunt over a full moon. A full moon is probably not the most advantageous, but I feel like the elk are still going to rut. The rut is based on the amount of daylight during the day. The elk are still going to rut during the same times every year. Your tactics may change slightly but I just don’t believe you don’t go elk hunting because of the moon. That’s just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Title: Re: Full moon and last week of September
Post by: vandeman17 on July 10, 2025, 08:49:49 AM: The best and worst part about a full moon, from my experience, is that there is usually mid day activity instead of just the first and last few hours of the day. Its great because it gives you options to keep hunting all day but it can be lame when you are tired and want a mid day nap :chuckle:
Title: Re: Full moon and last week of September
Post by: pd on July 10, 2025, 04:51:23 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on Yesterday at 08:49:49 AM
The best and worst part about a full moon, from my experience, is that there is usually mid day activity instead of just the first and last few hours of the day. Its great because it gives you options to keep hunting all day but it can be lame when you are tired and want a mid day nap :chuckle:

Agreed.

To add to this, a New Moon does **reduce** the night time rutting activity, but by how much it is very hard to say. A Full Moon, on the other hand, is full on party time for the elk.

We only get so many chances in life. Do not change your plans because of the moon phase! Just adapt, and keep hunting.