MISSOURI DEER HUNTER’S MOON

BY ALLEN “horntagger” MORRIS

Pre-rut starts from the second full moon from the fall equinox and last for about 8 days with the Main Rut lasting 6 more days to the New Moon with the Post Rut lasting for 7 more days during the New Moon.
Definitions:
Pre-rut = (Seeking/Rubbing/Scraping) Bucks chasing Does.
Rut = (Chasing/Tending) Bucks Tending Does
Post-Rut = (Breeding Complete) Bucks Searching for Does

MISSOURI DEER ACTIVITY INDEX
Deer Season 2002
Daytime Movement Only
Based from 274 Deer Sightings
LOW – MEDIUM – HIGH – HIGHEST
14% ---- 19% ---- 33% ---- 34%
Highlight the days below that you see deer for your own records.

September 23rd Fall Equinox
Deer Activity Index for October =
A. Sparring and rubbing peaks last few days of the month through the first few days of the month through the first week of November.
B. Majority of rubbing activity starts, bucks of all ages.
C. Most Scrapes Opened by end of the Month.
D. False Rut September. 29th thru October. 5th.
E. Cooler Temperature’s from the North will also increase activity this time of year.
October 1st Last Quarter – Highest (Bow Season Opens) (False Rut under way , Open Mock Scrapes Don’t Forget Overhanging Limb.)
October 2nd Last Quarter – Highest
October 3rd Last Quarter – Highest
October 4th Last Quarter – Highest
(Sat) October 5th Last Quarter – Highest
(Sun) October 6th New Moon – Low
October 7th New Moon – Low
October 8th New Moon – Low
October 9th New Moon – Low
October 10th New Moon – Low
October 11th New Moon – Low
(Sat) October 12th New Moon – Low
(Sun) October 13th First Quarter – High
October 14th First Quarter – High
(Fall Turkey Season Opens)
October 15th First Quarter – High
October 16th First Quarter – High
October 17th First Quarter – High
October 18th First Quarter – High
(Sat) October 19th First Quarter – High
(Sun) October 20th First Quarter – High
October 21st Full Moon – Medium
(Note Second Full Moon) (Pre-Rut Starts)
October 22nd Full Moon – Medium
October 23rd Full Moon – Medium
October 24th Full Moon – Medium
October 25th Full Moon – Medium
(Sat) October 26th Full Moon – Medium
(Sun) October 27th Full Moon – Medium
(Fall Turkey Season Ends) (Daylight Saving Times Ends)(Move Clocks Back)
October 28th Full Moon – Medium
October 29th Last Quarter – Highest (Rut Starts)
October 30th Last Quarter – Highest
October 31st Last Quarter – Highest (Halloween)

Deer activity index is affected by the moon, weather (temperature, rain, etc) and hunting pressure which affects it the most. All this must be taken into account when using the following index.
My index is based off several years of personal observation records and photo’s from surveillance camera and other resources.
Before you go, no matter what the activity of Deer are, when you get a chance to hunt is still better than the chance you have sitting in the house. Plus the fact some of us only get to hunt the weekends. Good Luck.

Another interesting fact is that.
182 Whitetail deer or (66%) are Sun Rise to Noon Sightings.
44 Whitetail deer or (34%) are Noon to Sunset Sightings.

You can also go to the Missouri Sportsmen’s Information WebSite and read the
(Moon Facts and Opinions)
www.mosportsmen.com


www.mosportsmen.com
&
http://walden.mvp.net