Hey guys, just was wondering what you thoughts are on new moons. I know what factors play with full moons, but the new moon has me wondering a bit. I am just looking for any information that you guys might have collected over the years. Thanks a bunch.
New moon = no moon. It really only tells me that the woods are going to be VERY dark going in in the morning and/or coming out at the end of the day.
I have been trying to pay more attention to moonrise and moonset along with the phases. I think rise and set along with phase affect what hours the deer move. Just a hunch with some observational evidence, we'll see if it has any basis in reality as time goes on.
All the moon phase talk.. I dunno. I've been paying attention to it for quite some time and have even had lengthy discussions with Charles Alzsheimer, who is one of the guys who created the whole theory. I understand the research and thinking behind it, but in my years of hunting, so far haven't seen enough concrete evidence to say that hunting will be better/worse because of moon phase. The statement is that full moon hunting is toughest. Some of the most amazing days I've had int he woods came on a full or near full moon. I can still remember how nice it was to sneak into a stand with the moonlight instead of using a head lamp. Here's the thing that I keep coming back to. We hunt in the fall. Deer usually have two things on their mind. First food, then as the fall progresses, mating. It's like clockwork and happens year and year. Deer get more and more active as fall moves along. About the only days I've seen that are the worst for me hunting have been windy, high pressure days.
The only effect I think it has is more or less light and how the deer react to the more or less light. That is why I have been paying attention the the rise and set.
I started paying alot of attention to moon phases over the years and read alot of articles. There are so many combinations of what makes for a stronger moon phase and it changes every year, as well as with current variables such as weather conditions, and what your property holds as far as food, cover, and water. I like to print off a moon phase calendar before each hunting season just to get an idea what days these phases will land on. I like to hunt all stages of the moon not just the full moon, sometimes the first quarter or waning gibbious cycles can be just as deadly for taking that big buck. But what changes day to day is weather, I'm constantly checking fronts like high pressure systems pushing in and even after them sometimes can be good. Being able to get an idea of when these phases will occur and by paying attention to other variables can be dynamite for a great hunt!
Some good thoughts guys. It just had me thinking cause we all hear about full moons, just didnt know if anyone really watches the new moon. Have been looking at 2011 hunting season calendar. Mike, thanks for changing the heading, fits it better.
After more years than I can remember, I have come to the conclusion that trying to read the moon is an act of futility. I’ve shot some of my biggest deer during a full moon. Especially the rut moon. But for the most part, I have found that few big deer move during a full moon. I have also found that new moons do not affect deer movement any more than a waning or waxing moon. I use to go with the idea that there would be little movement at night during a new moon, so there should be more activity at first light and right before dark. But like I said, I cannot say I’ve seen anymore, or less deer activity during a new moon, as it relates to a waxing or waning cycle. But I can say, ive seen more activity during new moons than I have during full moons. I simply go with the idea that; I will hunt when I can because a bad day of hunting is better than most other days. When I was growing up, there was an old saying that most of the older men swore by. Moon under foot and moon over head. If the moon was over your head (moon still out during the day and directly over your head) the deer move. Or if the moon is under foot (12 hours after/before it was over head) the deer move. As for my experience, I have not seen much truth to it. For the most part, the moon is just one of many factors that affect deer movement.
I honestly think Moon Phases and times affect deer movement, as well as time of year, weather fronts, etc., etc. I prefer to Hunt daylight until dark and the older I get the more I find myself doing it. If not I hunt whenever I can! There are a Lot of Right places to Kill that Buck! You just have to be there at the right time! Dan
