Do any of you here use moon phase to plan your vacation for the rut. It looks like its going to be later this year by almost 2 weeks. Comments?
I'm going to play it by ear this year. My work is flexible and I have 11 days left to use still. Benefit of only making 1 of our usual 2 summer vacation trips. Next year will be even better as I get another week of vacation come January!
I'm not playing it this year. Not saying that it don't work but for me I've taken time off too many times and it hasn't worked. It seems to me that right around Veteran's Day is always the best.
I never really follow any of that. Trail cameras and word of mouth is what I'll use. Always make sure im in a stand during the first 2 weeks of November.
With all due respect to Charlie Alshiemer and Wayne Laroche for doing a rut/moon study for years, I have to say there is no correlation . Without fail, every year, the second week in November shines.....regardless of the moon phase of position.
The two best bucks taken from our farm were both taken the last week of October and both chasing does. Don't know what that says about the moon but certainly tells me to be in the woods late October
vacation is fixed to last week october first week of November. no opportunity to chase the moon phase here.
The first year I read about Charles Alsheimer's moon phase theory, his predictions were spot on. I was thinking "man this guy has got it figured out." It must've just been a coincidence though because in subsequent years it has really been hit and miss, with more emphasis on miss. Now I just try to be in the tree as much as I can beginning on Halloween. Honestly though, I usually see most rutting activity beginning about Nov. 8th. Respect to Mr. Alsheimer though, He's a great advocate for the sport and a good person. Blessings........Pastorjim
I've seen lots of activity during the first few days of Alsheimer's moon phase predictions assuming the weather is cool enough, but bottom line is, I want to be in a tree as much as possible from 10/24 through 11/30.
I love the full moon dates from September through November. All my biggest bucks were the full moon hunts.
I believe the rut is based on photoperiod...period...which means that it is triggered by the amount of daylight and happens the same general time each year depending on the latitude of where you live. Now as far as activity and daylight activity I do believe moon phase and moon location does effect the peak active times for deer. I definitely see a correlation between daylight activity and moon over under phase when it lines up with the first and last hours of daylight. I haven't had much luck hunting full moons as I feel like deer can see much better at night during the full and consequently are more Nocturnal. I think temperature drops and barometric pressure changes are bigger factors. When I see that a front is coming through and temps going from 50deg down to 30 deg and barometric pressure is rising plus moon over is 30 minutes to and hour before dusk I will be letting the wife know I'll be calling in sick that day. Otherwise I'd like to be in the stand every chance I get from Halloween until after Thanksgiving.
I guess then I book it as I always do then, first 2 weeks in Nov. It makes it a pain when you have to be at work, then you hear all the bigger bucks are starting to show up in daylight hours. I got a dandy this year but all his appearances has been at night. I hunt public land as no private hunting here so I try to make the most of my vacation. Thanks for all the comments.
I Have never tried the moon phases i usually go by activity but thats just me and my work and College schedule work really well for all weekends off so i can hunt.
I am of the opinion that the moon phase does not influence the timing of the rut. Dr. Grant Woods has several articles on this. I do believe that the moon phase can influence day time activity. A full moon on a clear night during the rut will create more activity at night and less during daylight. But it does not influence the timing of the rut. http://http://www.growingdeer.tv/view/2012/10/26/deer-activity-moon-rut-or-weather/
Just use most of your hunting time from October 25 through November 25 and you should be good Here in SE VA I'll take a good cold snap in late October over any moon phase.
