carolinakidd Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Okay guys,I've heard a lot of experts over the years say that the full moon doesn't affect deer movement,but what do you think?? I have killed many deer over the years,and I can honestly say that I have zero confidence in hunting during the full moon. Opinions?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 If its a clear night, the deer I hunt tend to move a lot more duing the night to feed. But I will still hunt all day the following days and still see deer. I think the moon plays more effect on deer that have very hard hunting pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Last year the moon was full when we went to hunt the first week. The deer were already bedded at daybreak because they had fed all night. The up side is that their bellies get empty after about 8 hours and they need to get up if only for a brief period to put something in them which they did. So about noon they were up and moving laid back down then were up in force at dark. This year the moon will be a new moon so the first few hours of morning should be productive then about 3:00 pm they'll be up again. Then the period at dusk will probably be spotty. The most important aspect of moon activity before the rut starts is knowing when they have fed up and laid down because I'll guarantee you you can set your watch by their stomach. Little deer need to get up first, bigger ones a bit later. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 This topic has been posted on a lot in the past. Personally i dont pay too much attention to it. I tend to think that full moons means more deer movement during the middle of the day, but I put far more thought into weather patterns and rut signs than moon phases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickel Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 I hate the full moon period. I usually see less deer movement except right at dark. From my experience i figure they feed more throughout the night because they can see better with the moonlight and will feel safer than coming into a wide open field or open woods during daylight. Also those pros are hunting non pressured deer that walk around like cattle. I would love to see those guys come out to some public forest land and try to setup on a monster buck with 20 other hunters walking around the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterBlake Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 I have not payed attention to it, but now i think i will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 The up side is that their bellies get empty after about 8 hours and they need to get up if only for a brief period to put something in them which they did. So about noon they were up and moving laid back down then were up in force at dark. This. Mark +1 Deer generally don't bed longer than 4 hrs, 6 hours at a maximum. They will be up in day light hours, the problem is being where they are. Like John said, this has been discussed a bunch on here, and I have heard some very interesting theories...For example, i forgot who said it, but someone stated last fall that " when the moon is directly over your head, look at what time it is, then count 12 hours ahead and see what time it will be...Deer will be moving with 2 hours of that time give or take.." I applied that when possible, and have yet to dispute that theory. Another great piece of advice...you won't kill anything sitting on your couch... And lastly, hunting on a full moon is still hunting, and it beats any alternative... Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Another great piece of advice...you won't kill anything sitting on your couch... And lastly, hunting on a full moon is still hunting, and it beats any alternative... Dan That's my thought Dan. That's why I dont pay too much attention to the moon. I hunt every chance I get, rain, shine, hot, cold, some of the best deer have been killed on the crappiest days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 I hunt when my work schedule allows me to not the moon. However, I rarely see deer in the morning if it's a full moon the night before that morning. I do see these a lot on the morning after a full moon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Okay guys,I've heard a lot of experts over the years say that the full moon doesn't affect deer movement,but what do you think?? I have killed many deer over the years,and I can honestly say that I have zero confidence in hunting during the full moon. Opinions?? It does, here in Indiana you can spot light before deer season, during a full moon, you might see 4 deer. On a no moon night, you might see 100. That sums it up for me. I've also seen a lot of deer on the worst days, but most of the hunters are not in the woods, usually thats when magic happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I'm one of those that believes the moon's affect on deer movement is minimal when considered with all other factors, especially weather conditions. I've kept a detailed hunting journal typed in my computer for the past 7 years. That way the data is easier to access. A quick check of those years shows 2 out of the 14 bucks I've killed (and a big mature one I missed) during the past 7 years was during what's considered the full moon period (3 days either side of it). The B&C typical I killed in KS back in 2005 was 4 days before the day of the full moon. Most of the other bucks in that group are mature bucks but there's a couple of 3.5 year old bucks in there too. I've also had some great hunts when shot opportunities weren't offered on mature bucks during the full moon period. Wish I had started keeping a detailed hunting journal a lot earlier in my 40 or so years of deer hunting. Some hunters in our camp share your attitude and believe hunting during the full moon is a waste of time. You couldn't get them to believe otherwise so most of them won't hunt at all then. If the weather's right that just makes for less hunting pressure out there and more options of prime places for me and a few other hunters to choose from. BTW...I've also noticed hunters in our camp that share your attitude but will still hunt during the full moon (sometimes anyway) generally don't put the time in on stand that they would otherwise. That lack in confidence of hunting during the full moon generally translates into fewer hours spent on stand by them. You must be present to win! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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