This year - the upcoming ‘09 season sees the Hunter’s Moon (the first full moon AFTER the harvest moon) on Oct. 7. Most years, the harvest moon rises on a September night.
But not this year.
The harvest moon, by definition, is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (the first day of fall).
And this year the equinox falls on Sept. 23. The full moon in October is closer to the equinox than the September full moon, therefore, the October full moon is the harvest moon. And the hunter’s moon always follows the harvest moon.
Also, there should be good (better than normal for the first week of November) diurnal buck movement this year during the moon’s first quarter. And a greater tendency for daytime movement will head into the following week (full moon.) That’s when we will hear stories of some giant bucks being arrowed at noon.
Then, on the following weekend, hunters will be heard saying “the rut is on,” as the cycle reaches a climax of activity (Nov. 13).
Hunting The Moon.
