lunar phase advice

[moosehunter]

I am looking for any help or advice about lunar phases. I want to hunt early season blackpowder (Oct 12 to 20) but not sure if the moon is in my favor. Last year I hunted late season and got a nice 10. At school Xmas break I was able to take my youngest son. We had alot of deer around us until the moon turned full, then we didn't see any deer after that. I've been reading what I can find on lunar phases, but much of it is somewhat confusing. If anyone has some insight I would sure appreciate it.

 

[wisco kid]

Toss the moon phase stuff in the trash. I read some stuff and followed it years ago and I don't think its as relevent. I think the rut happens at a similar time every year and is affected more by daylight. As for deer activity, weather conditions, including temperature are going to impact how the deer move as well as hunting conditions. Think about it - would you rather hunt in a driving rainstorm with high winds on the peak moonphase day, or would you rather hunt a calm morning after an overnight rain, a light breeze and fog on November 3 even if its a bad moonphase? I'll take the latter EVERY time.

 

[M350]

MOOSEHUNTER, IF I WERE YOU ID CONCENTRATE ON THE END OF THAT TIME SPAN. IF HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF THERE WILL BE A GOOD PRE-RUT SCRAPE MOVEMENT AROUND OCT.18,19, AND20 OF 2002.. WHY.????? WATCH AND REMEMBER I SENT YA!!! GOOD JOURNALS AND SEVERAL DOZENS OF ROLES OF FILM HAVE ME CONVINCED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE LAST FULL MOON IN OCT. BUCKS MOVE TO SCRAPE AREAS.. GRANTED HEAT CAN THROW A CURVE BALL. BUT WITH MODERATE WEATHER AND A PRE SCOUTED BUCK YOU WILL HARVEST A GOOD BUCK...........IM NO PRO, BY ANY MEANS, BUT I WILL BE SITTING IN A TREE THESE EVENINGS.. THIS WILL LEAVE TWO MORE WEEKS OF SCRAPE ACTIVITY UNTILL THE LOCAL BUCKS BEGIN TO WANDER..WE ARE DUE FOR A GREAT RUT, LAST YEAR THE KEY WAS WATER--THIS YEAR IM JUST GONNA SPEND MORE TIME AT IT SOONER THAN LATER. I MADE A SIMILAR PREDICTION LAST YEAR AND WASNT TOO FAR OFF. HEY JUST ONE HUNTERS OPINION-----AND JUST MY OPINION. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME...SEE YA IN THE HILLS OF NORTHEAST IOWA. M350 OUT

 

[Rackaddict]

Moosehunter, I do believe that the moon has an effect on feeding times of game but not as much on the rut cycle. I have kept a log of the peak moon phase as related to feeding patterns and I am amazed at the percentage of times that deer have shown up at nearly the precise time it was forecast. I also think that a bright full moon can for some reason play havoc with a deers travel pattern. As for the rut cycle I agree with "Wisco Kid" that the rut occurs at a fairly regular time each year triggered by "photoperiodism", the amount of daylight at a certain same time at a certain latitude every year. The moon phase chart I use is in (Missouri) Game and Fish Magazine. I believe they publish a magazine for each state. The moon phase chart is called Dan Barnett's Feeding Times. Best of luck!

 

[moosehunter]

Most of the research I have been finding predicts that week should be good as far as the lunar cycle go's anyway. I know you can't rely on the lunar phase alone for a trophy, but every little bit helps. Thanks for replies..........

 

[RTN]

Get Oct. issue of Deer & Deer Hunting if following the moon interests you. They're predicting a trickle rut up there.
Seeking phase minor-10/19 thru 10/24
major-11/16 thru 11/23
Chase phase minor-10/25 thru 10/31
major-11/24 thru 11/29
Breeding minor-11/01 thru 11/07
major-11/30 thru 12/07

 

[M350]

RTN, ACCORDIG TO THOSE DATES , SOUNDS LIKE I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TOO FAR OFF WITH PLANNING MY VACATION A BIT EARLY THIS YEAR... THANKS FOR THE RE-ASSURANCE. THAT SEEKING PHASE IS MY TIME TO SCRAPE HUNT, RATTLE AND DECOY. M350 OUT