Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: bow4elk on October 13, 2009, 09:25:30 PM

Title: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: bow4elk on October 13, 2009, 09:25:30 PM: Anyone else studying moon phases/position relative to deer activity and rut timing?

I've spoken with Jeff Murray, Boyd Iverson, Larry Jones, and Scott Haugen recently, specifically regarding blacktails. They all put stock in the moon in varying degrees and I'm finding the whole topic interesting. I'm keeping detailed notes this fall and will compare the results with the various sources of moon data. My partner and I used Jeff's Moon Guide back in 1994 or 95 when he first published it. We hunted KS, IL, and CO, but honestly we were into deer enough that we never bothered worrying about the moon.

These days as my hunting time is WAY more limited I'm looking for additional insights into optimizing my time in the woods. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on October 13, 2009, 09:43:03 PM: I have mixed feelings on the moon. I've kept track before, journal, just when I think I'm onto something, the deer will move real good when they're not supposed too. I finally quit worrying about the moon, and just started hunting every minute of the good days of season, reguardless of moon phase or weather..
Title: Re: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: Crowns on October 13, 2009, 09:45:01 PM: I think the moon phases are kind of a catch 22. Youll notice a HUGE difference in animal activity during the day when there is a full moon and clear skies; they just stay active all night long. However the first full moon at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov helps spark the rut because the does have the right weather conditions and the moon phases push them into Estrous. I think Nov 2nd will be the peak of activity this year, at least for the first rut. But your best chances at getting a big buck from what I have read is pre rut so probably the 30th and 31st will be good days. Blacktails are always rutted up on and around halloween. I have rattled a couple in at this time. Mulies are always nose to the ground when I elk hunt the eastside. But yeah, just my :twocents:
Title: Re: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: bow4elk on October 13, 2009, 09:46:32 PM: Quote from: 257 Wby Mag on October 13, 2009, 09:43:03 PM
I have mixed feelings on the moon. I've kept track before, journal, just when I think I'm onto something, the deer will move real good when they're not supposed too. I finally quit worrying about the moon, and just started hunting every minute of the good days of season, reguardless of moon phase or weather..

The good days being? Assuming you mean the last week of October. I've found this true with both blacktails and whitetails across the country. That pre-rut frenzy prior to peak breeding is key for hunting funnels and transition areas.
Title: Re: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on October 13, 2009, 09:56:53 PM: Looks like Crowns has her figured out. 25th -Holloween, come hell or high water, the last 3 days...
Title: Re: Hunting by the Moon
Post by: littlebuf on October 13, 2009, 10:20:44 PM: taro cards are a good tool for hunting also :rolleyes: there going to do what they want when they want doesn't matter what the moons doing. i would pay more attention to high and low pressure systems that affect the weather