the moon and deer movement

[stevejedlenski]

is it just me or does it seem like deer dont move much during the day when there is a full moon. it seems like they go nocturnal during those periods. is it just me or does anyone else find it different?

[Spinach]

It's a known fact that wildlife are far more active during full moons, making them less active during daylight. Mornings are always a great time to be in stand though, intercept them as they head back to bedding areas.

[stevejedlenski]

never fails that rifle season hits dead on full moon

[Wagz]

at least it is not full this year

[Mayfly]

is it just me or does it seem like deer dont move much during the day when there is a full moon. it seems like they go nocturnal during those periods. is it just me or does anyone else find it different?

Many years of bowhunting I could never find a rhyme or reason and could never put enough together to see a pattern.

But....I learned the most the last two years. I was fortunate to have a feeder in my extended yard and I was able to pretty able to nail down a pattern. Certain deer came in at different times of day and they stayed somewhat consistent. What I noticed during the full moon periods is that the patterns changed. I would actually see less deer in the morning and they would show up sporadically through-out the day. Evenings I feel you can always count on them but overall I saw less in the mroning, more through-out the day and the evenings stayed about the same. I remember one day specifically. I had like three adult does come in during the day and that just did not happen often. I remember that day and it was a full moon. For what its worth........


 

[Mayfly]

One more comment on this topic....

Spend a day or two reading as much as you can on this topic and you will get every answer possible from every expert and deer hunter in the United States. Studies here and studies there and in the end noone knows. You show me one study and i'll show you another that says the exact opposite. Over the past few years I have been hearing more and more say the exact same and even some saying that the only affect that the moon has on the earth is the gravitational forces. The go on to say that there is no reason or scientific proof that these forces would for any reason have any affect on Deer. The other affect is the light issue. Some say deer can see better during a full moon so they move more. Some say predators can see better at night during the full moon and the deer move less causing them to move more in the daytime as the predators are mainly nocturnal. It goes back and forth and back and forth. So next time someone tell you "what they think" take it with a grain of salt.

And again.....


The best advice....the more time you spend in the woods the better your odds of bagging that buck are! 

 

[stevejedlenski]

actually it will be a complete full moon on the 12 and 13th right in the middle of the opening week

[JCAMERON]

From everything I've read that full moon is supposed to kick the rut into full battle rattle.

[stevejedlenski]

hopefully they wont just rut at night. seems like its gonna be the perfect year to hunt afternoons