Do deer go to bed earlier or later during the full moon?

Hoytail Hunter · 10-25-2007, 07:13 PM

Tell me if I have this right...

Because the sky is lit up for some or all of the night time hours during a full moon, deer don't have to move into feeding areas as early as they otherwise would if there were no moon. This means there will be less movement during the afternoon sweet spot - (last half hour before sunset). In addition, because the deer have plenty of light to feed all night, they'll likely be in their beds long before the morning sweet spot(first 1/2 hour after sunrise).

And if that is the case, full moons should mean that deer movement should increase about mid-morning because they've already been bedded for a longer period of time and are now hungry or rested by mid-morning?

GregH · 10-25-2007, 07:17 PM

For me, they go to bed earlier in the morning and come out later in the evening during the full moon. It bites.[:@]

Mathewsboy · 10-25-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GregH

For me, they go to bed earlier in the morning and come out later in the evening during the full moon. It bites.[:@]

DIDO!! But I'll still be in a tree... Can't shoot one on my couch...

NY/Al · 10-25-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Mathewsboy

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GregH

For me, they go to bed earlier in the morning and come out later in the evening during the full moon. It bites.[:@]

DIDO!! But I'll still be in a tree... Can't shoot one on my couch...

Couldnt agree more!

SparrowHawk · 10-25-2007, 07:35 PM

Same here..... I did manage to pass on a young buck with a spike on one side and id say 3 or 4 points on the other side. He was out scoutin the soybean for some tail

and that was early also... id say around 5

gamespooker · 10-25-2007, 07:35 PM

i agree with you hoytail, we seem to see more deer moving in late morning/early afternoon.

10-25-2007, 07:40 PM

I find they stay out longer and I have good luck with them coming in earlier. This year my honey hole, I have been running them out 1.5 hours before daylight. I don't know why they have been bedding so earlier.

marshrat · 10-25-2007, 08:39 PM

Thats seems to be the case for the most part, but it kind of depends what time of the month the full moon occurs. Guess I'll find out in the morning and I'll let you know. I have been seeing a lot of bucks on the move the last couple of days.

sgtbowhunter · 10-26-2007, 02:41 AM

the last few pics on my trail cam were late in the morning. One was a doe looking right into the camera from about 2 feet away. I have also been getting quite a few hits in the afternoon like some other guys have said. I havent' had a chance to get out much but im on vacation for a week starting sat. and am going to hit it hard.

PABuck_HNTR · 10-26-2007, 03:20 AM

saw a decent 8 cruising at 4:00 yesterday afternoon, nothing else moved after that.