hunting by the moon

[jimmy]

I am going for mule deer in Alberta this Nov. 2011. Have a choice of three weeks. Each week has a different moon phase. Please,need help. any experience with mule deer bucks and the moon phase? The rut will be on. Have read whitetails are more affected than muleys to the moon? What do you think? All information on this topic will be helpful and interesting.

 

[bucklover]

I think every animal is affected by the moon phase, and any other aspect, weather: temperature (hot or cold), if there is snow on the ground, wind, rain, hunting pressure, predation, you name it. They all affect how critters react and survive. Concerning the moon. I know that just at the getting dark moment, in the evenings, it is more difficult for anything to see well. Eyes haven't fully adjusted. That's why migratory bird hunting has start and end times that change daily. If it is a full moon, especially with snow on the ground, deer feel much more at ease moving around. If the moon is dark, deer feel more vulnerable to attack. They will feed and move more during the day light. Hunting that late when the rut is on opens up a great big door to opportunity. I would make my decision based on hunter pressure in the area you are going to. Bucks will be more active so I would want first choice if there is a lot of competition. My 2 cents.

 

[trophyhunter]

Jimmy: If I were in your situation I would be planning my hunt with the dark of the moon. Those mulies will be in the rut and ready to breed. They will be in heat CRAZY but when there is no moon light they will wait until daylight hours to chase their does....The odds will be in your favor.

If you choose a moon phase that gives off more light. The game will be able to see better at night and if there is snow on the ground it will be like someone turned on a light for them to see and they will be active ALL night when you can not hunt.

If you choose a moon phase were they can do their thing at night.. You will be less likely to see as much game in the day light hours. With most game rut or no rut. Best hunting is always during the dark of the moon.

Good Luck and PM we with the results of your hunt.

Good Hunt'n....Bring back a big one.....

TrophyHunter

)))).......>

 

[trophyhunter]

PM Sent

 

[UTmonsterslayer]

I have found that the less moon there is, the better. If the rut is going strong I don't think that it will make a TON of difference though. Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[littlebighorn]

It has been my experience that there are weeks of the rut that are more productive than other weeks. Generally the later into the rut the more bucks are out. While I agree that the moon may have an impact, I would try to find out from others who have hunted Alberta, when the prime hunting is. The moon is only one factor, and if you get stormy weather, it could be dark all night anyway.
Just another thing to consider.

 

[2lumpy]

In Southern Alberta the rut was heaviest give or take a day or two before and after Nov. 14th. Darker the better. The colder the better.

DC

 

[jimmy]

>I am going for mule deer
>in Alberta this Nov. 2011.
>Have a choice of three
>weeks. Each week has a
>different moon phase. Please,need help.
>any experience with mule deer
>bucks and the moon phase?
>The rut will be on.
>Have read whitetails are more
>affected than muleys to the
>moon? What do you think?
>All information on this topic
>will be helpful and interesting.
>Thank you all for the great info. Please keep the pros and cons coming. jimmy

 

[jimmy]

thanks for the great info. do you live in alberta? where?

 

[2lumpy]

Jimmy,

Born and raised there, moved to Utah in 1975, go back as often as time permits.

DC

 

[2lumpy]

Raised in Brooks, hunted between Calgary and Medicine Hat. Hunted the Red Deer River Breaks near Buffalo. After college, moved to Calgary and hunted the country west of Claresholm, Alberta (the Porcupine Hills). Time has changed the humans but the deer biology remains the same.

DC

 

[jimmy]

2lumpy thank you again for your help. last time I hunted there I took a wt on nov 19 and md on nov 20. both were in the rut heavy. you are right on and living there you know better than I for sure. j