IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
09-26-2002, 05:53 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: south western, wy USA
Posts: 496
RE: IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
i dont know much about whitetails but i can tell you for mule deer is is a very big factor
i work on top of a mountain in an oil field i work some days and some nights so i see alot of animals and at night with a full moon there is alot more animals moving around crossing the roads etc
i work on top of a mountain in an oil field i work some days and some nights so i see alot of animals and at night with a full moon there is alot more animals moving around crossing the roads etc
09-26-2002, 09:43 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
RE: IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
Let me to preface this by saying that the rut is excluded since anything can happen then--totally unpredictable and no "rules" apply!!!
That said, I have found from experience that I almost never see any deer on morning hunts following a bright full moon. I have seen numerous deer on evening hunts on certain occasions of full moon activity--but those were exceptions to the general rule. I have heard that midday activity is great during full moons. I tried it only once (not enough to make a judgement), but I didn't see a deer until legal time was ending for the day.
Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.
That said, I have found from experience that I almost never see any deer on morning hunts following a bright full moon. I have seen numerous deer on evening hunts on certain occasions of full moon activity--but those were exceptions to the general rule. I have heard that midday activity is great during full moons. I tried it only once (not enough to make a judgement), but I didn't see a deer until legal time was ending for the day.
Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.
09-26-2002, 10:56 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fredericksburg Virginia USA
Posts: 13,672
RE: IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
I will agree that the moon has an effect on deer and their movements, especially the mornings after a full moon, but I know from experience that no matter the phase of the moon, you can not kill a deer unless you are in the woods. I will adjust my stands further in during a full moon, but I am still there if I am not working.
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club
09-26-2002, 05:17 PM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: northeast, pennsylvania
Posts: 169
RE: IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
09-26-2002, 06:55 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Elizabeth Colo. USA
Posts: 4,413
RE: IS THE MOON THAT BIG OF A FACTOR?
OK, for those that believe the moon theory, here is a question. What if it's cloudy all night, then what, more or less activity? And what if a cold front is coming in during the night, are they still active all night, or will they wait until the cold front moves out? If ya can't tell, I think, and I'm certainly don't know it all, the weather pattern effects deer movement more than the moon phase. Anybody else think like this? ALthough I agree with Taz, can't kill 'em from the couch!