I believe in the power of the MOON

Hoytail Hunter · 11-19-2008, 04:13 PM

Do you? Let me tell you why I do:

In 2006 I killed my buck 11/5. The rutting moon was 11/5.

In 2007 I killed my buck 11/10. The rutting moon was 10/26.

This year I killed my buck 11/14. The rutting moon was 11/13.

In the above events, allthe bucks were killed on or after the full moon. None were before. 2006 was too long ago so I don't remember when scrapes and rubs started to appear in larger numbers but I remember last year and this year clearly. Last year near the end of October there were rubs and scrapes all over the place. This year, the same thing happened right around the full moon again. Let me also add that deer were scattered all over the highways around the full moon this and last year.

I believe deer can only tell that it's time to propagate by use of temperature and available sunlight/moonlight or perhaps the gravitational pull of the moon. They don't have calendars like we do. It's the same way the salmon know to run up the rivers at specific water temperatures. I don't think that the moonis the only authorityas to when the rut begins as habitat, available food, length of seasons have a say as well, but it(the moon) certainly does seem to set an undeniable pattern, at least around here. Ithink that in states further west like Idaho, the ruthappens about 2 weeks later than the midwest but still, it follows a pattern which leads back to the moon.

Interesting reads I found on the rutting moon:
http://growthehunt.typepad.com/grow_the_hunt/2007/10/timing-the-2007.html

http://www.outdooreyes.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=295621

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_will_northwest_MO_deer_go_into_rut_in_2007

Before anyone tries to rip my head off, this is what I think, not what I know. If there's something you know, please share.

wahoohunter · 11-19-2008, 04:24 PM

hey bud, sounds like you may find this book an interesting read

http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Whitet...990&sr=1-1

by the way, i agree with you the power of the moon

early in · 11-19-2008, 04:56 PM

I remain a skeptic on this issue, as our rut (at least in my area/5-D)was still a bust just before, during, and just after the full moon that took place on Nov13th. I did all day hunts during this entire period. And while waiting a full hour for it to get light I didn't hear any chasing going on either.
At any rate, another good book (which I have) on the subject is Moon Struck, by Jeff Murray with Myles Keller.

JoeRE · 11-19-2008, 05:47 PM

I have to admit, this year was the first year (in the half dozen years I have payed close attention to it) that I felt I saw a significant correlation between moon phase and rut 'peak'. The rubbing, scraping, and chasing picked up like it often does at the end of Oct and based on the weather I thought it would be a moderately early rut. Instead, the activity lulled slightly till the second week of Nov, when the 'peak' (based on deer movement) occured. Does came around and bucks went into lockdown with them about last weekend. The only reason I can figure for this is the late rutting moon....but I am not a believer yet, 1/6 is still pretty poor. In 06 I saw a peak (Peak deer movement, which is generally about 3-5 days before most of the does come around), locally, Nov 1-3 and slightly later in 07, Nov 3-5.

Germ · 11-19-2008, 05:51 PM

In 2006 I killed mine before the rutting moon

In 2005 same thing
In 2004 same thing

2007 I watch MR Mass tend a doe 10-13-2007

I do not believe in the rutting moon, but I do believe your co-workers are scared of you

mj469 · 11-19-2008, 05:54 PM

I'm not really against the rutting moon, because it sure seems that right around that time every year, the bucks are way more visible and a little more stupid. But the one thing I have noticed is that every year I have the first chance at a real mature buck the week of Oct.20-Oct.27th. I don't know why this happens but for me, I always see the real mature ones for the first time of the season this week.

early in · 11-19-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: JoeRE

I have to admit, this year was the first year (in the half dozen years I have payed close attention to it) that I felt I saw a significant correlation between moon phase and rut 'peak'. The rubbing, scraping, and chasing picked up like it often does at the end of Oct and based on the weather I thought it would be a moderately early rut. Instead, the activity lulled slightly till the second week of Nov, when the 'peak' (based on deer movement) occured. Does came around and bucks went into lockdown with them about last weekend. The only reason I can figure for this is the late rutting moon....but I am not a believer yet, 1/6 is still pretty poor. In 06 I saw a peak (Peak deer movement, which is generally about 3-5 days before most of the does come around), locally, Nov 1-3 and slightly later in 07, Nov 3-5.

I am in total agreement with that last sentence.I observed the same thing.

early in · 11-19-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: mj469

I'm not really against the rutting moon, because it sure seems that right around that time every year, the bucks are way more visible and a little more stupid. But the one thing I have noticed is that every year I have the first chance at a real mature buck the week of Oct.20-Oct.27th. I don't know why this happens but for me, I always see the real mature ones for the first time of the season this week.

While I had this8pt (was with a 6pt)at full draw at 10yrds, and chose not to take the shotbecause of a small bush that was right next to him, (wanted him to take 2 more steps)it did occur on Oct 16th. I find it rather interesting, if nothing else. And by the way, at this point in time I regret not taking the shot.[:@]