New Moon and hunting

mdndeer · Jun 2, 2017

I used my 23 points this year and drew a 4th season deer tag(unit 44) and in looking at the moon phases it will be over a new moon. My buddy does not believe in the moon phase thing and to be honest I don't know one way or the other. Just wondering what the thoughts of all of you with moon phase and hunting(I would think it sure can't hurt).

Thanks in advance

MDNDEER

dillon · Jun 2, 2017

It won't make much of a difference on 4th season because of the Rut.

ridgetops · Jun 2, 2017

I think the moon phase is over rated.
It is what it is and I just deal with it.
If you get out early and stay until after dark, you'll more than likely find something you like.

Proud member of the Wolfpack!

mmwb · Jun 4, 2017

Some say that there is something to it, but I've not noticed it. As stated above, just hunt hard and ignore the moon.

Founder · Jun 4, 2017

I don't even consider the moon in any of my hunting.

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stillhunterman · Jun 4, 2017

As others have mentioned, I don't much pay it any mind, with one exception. Occasionally during a full moon, I may hunt a bit farther/deeper, knowing I'll have a bit more light to find my way back to the vehicle in the dark.

Texan · Jun 7, 2017

I am not familiar with the patterns of mule deer but I definitely see whitetails move at different time because of the moon especially during the rut. But if you are out there from daylight to dark it should not matter.

torowy · Jun 9, 2017

In my "unscientific" observations I think
brighter the night = less day time animal activity.

Where your tag is a rut hunt I wouldn't think it would make much difference.

muleymaddness · Jun 9, 2017

I don't place a lot of weight on moon phase, but a new moon wouldn't hurt my feelings. I'd rather have a new moon over full moon any day. But with that said, I wouldn't plan a hunt around it. Matter of fact, I didn't. I have a great hunt planned during a full moon.

OchocoKid · Jun 12, 2017

I've found the moon to be the least important factor in the mix.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Hunter1 · Jun 13, 2017

I also believe that there is more daytime activity during a new Moon.

There has been a lot written about the Moon inducing the rut and a lot of people believe it but it's just not true. Photoperiodism is what brings Doe's into heat. We know this for sure because Deer farmers can bring a Doe into heat year round by moving them indoors and manipulating the light.

Whether or not the Moon influences a Bucks behavior is debatable. I've read a Buck can actually breed year round.

kalielkslayer · Jun 15, 2017

I'm in the minority here because I think it's huge. I personally like the last 3-4 days of the moon through the first couple of days of the new moon.

A recent example was a quality Wyoming elk hunt 4-5 years ago. Dark of the moon was 9/16. We couldn't access the ranch until the 16th although I tried to get on 5 days earlier.

First three days were low 70s, clear skies. Bulls were rutting heavy until 10-11 in the morning and started again by 3:00 PM. Then it became a very early/very late movement pattern for about 3 days. Then we got several days of heavy clouds and thundershowers. The bulls started being active most of the day again, just as good as the first 3 days.

I've experienced this numerous times but don't wait to draw a tag when it coincides with the dark of the moon.

In your case I think you're in great shape.