Can anybody simply explain how moon phase affects deer movement. If I am thinking right, full moon means more deer movement at night because they can see better to feed, and half moon is your best bet to catch them heading to a food source or bedding in the morning or evening. Is this correct? Also how does the moon phase affect the rut? I always heard it had something to do with first full moon in Nov or something like that. I know weather has just as much if not bigger affect of movement. Thanks to all and good luck
Can't simply put it in a way people will agree. Some hold to the new moon as best others full moon. Either way the moon dictates animal movement just like the sun...even the good book (yeah the Bible) backs that.
I wish I knew more to tell you but don't know much about the moon phase with deer. Always wanted to learn but just never did. Love to hear what others have to say though.
Lots of controversy is about all you're guaranteed to find. Most of the scientific studies I've heard of/seen says little to no correlation of movement to moon phase. (I've heard Dr Grant Woods throw this out a couple of times, including his 10/26 blog entry). Many folks personal beliefs/observations will tell you otherwise. Moon phase and the rut is even more of a mixed bag. Imho-Temperature/weather/fronts seem to have more effect on movement. The moon-light makes it easier for us to navigate into the woods, but it also makes us easier to be seen by them. Others will have their opinions as well. To the point on deer finding food, they seem to be able to find food, eat and navigate all the rest of the year regardless of moon phase, so I don't believe that argument holds much water.
There are probably as many theories as there are deer hunters! One that I've heard for years is similar to yours, that a bright full moon in a clear sky will keep the deer on their feet well into the night. But, they will bed down early and a hunter will see very little morning movement, so this is the time to hunt mid-day. OK. Two years ago my brother in law goes down to his place in SE Ohio and kills the best buck of his life (170+) first thing in the morning after a full moon was out all night! This same brother in law holds to the theory that the second full moon after the Autumnal Equinox kicks off the rut. Not the "seeking" or "chasing" phases of the rut, but the actual breeding. Well, this year that full moon happened on Oct. 29. Sorry, but I think his theory is off a little bit. From what I've seen, and reports I've read online, the pre-rut is getting rolling pretty good (at least around here), but actual breeding is still 1.5 to 2 weeks away. I'm with wl704. I think that local weather has more of an effect on deer movement than anything else. Not necessarily the timing of the rut, just how many deer you might see moving around during the day. My brother in law and I went down to SE Ohio last week (10/24 to 10/28) and saw just about zilch! First, we had 85 degree days and the ridge we were hunting was about as dry as a soda cracker! Then, we had pouring down rain! I think he saw two deer and I saw one. We're heading back down from 11/7 to 11/11 and the weather forecast looks promising. Lows in the 30's and highs in the mid to upper 40's. HooRah! I'm looking forward to that! I think the best thing to do is to go hunting whenever you have a chance.The more often you're out there the better chance you have of seeing something. You can't kill them sitting on the couch or from in front of the computer. Best of luck.
