I have killed a couple deer not long after first light following a clear full moonlit night in 25+ years of hunting. However, MOST of the time, the MORNING following a full moon yields few if any sightings--and those are very early. The rut is the exception to this "rule" IMO and I killed a nice 8 point a few years ago in the morning after a full moon because he was grunting along behind a doe. Evenings--at least where I hunt - can be as good or even BETTER at this time. I feel that is because the deer are hungry after bedding down so early and are eager to begin feeding again.

There has been multiple studies of how a full moon affects all living organisms on earth (not just deer) In the study, they foundanimal movements and certain patterns to increase during full moons. They also found that violent activity and crime increases in humans on nights of a full moon. Police stations record spikes in crime and arrest more people on nights with full moon. Hospitals even record more injuries in the emergency rooms (that are related to violent crimes) on nights of full moons. Scientist believe this to be caused by the the pulling force of the moon.
Whether this theory is an absolute fact or not, it willhave to rely on more studies in the future.
Biologist claim that (when there is a full moon) and it is as its highest point in the sky, deer movement increases (whether it is day or night)
Some also say that when the barometric pressure reaches a certain level, causing the moon to be visible during the day, that there will be more deer activity.
I personally have never seen the difference where I hunt.

Some also say that the moon is what actually triggers the rut. This however is very inprobable. People have gathered a theory that the first fool moon (after) the autumnal equinox is the actual cause of the rut.
Some believe that it is due to the diminishing hours of daylight that will cause does to go into esterous. These are just theories.
In fact, if these theories were 100% the reasons for the rut occuring or does esterous cycling to begin, (THEN THE RUT WOULD OCCUR AT THE SAME EXACTTIME EVERYWHERE IN THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT).
I have seen bucks that were shot about 5 miles away from where I hunt that werein full rut, (And the deer in my area of woods were barely beginning to rut.)
I believe this, the rut occurs within 2 or 3 weeks of itself (every year). And when the does have reached there internal cylcle to go into esterous, they will(regardless). The esterous cycle occurs on an individual basis(not in a whole population of whitetails). In other words, one doe can be in esterous, while the doe standing next to her might have 5 days to go before she goes into esterous. If it was cause by a full moon, why would some go into esterous maybe, 2 weeks after a full moon?
I believe alot of other factors determine why and when a doe will go into esterous. Like the health of the heard, how good their nutrition is, what they eat, and stress related issues, such as hunting pressures or urban sprawl. If the autumnal equinox, (full moon) was the prime reason for the rut to occur, thenthe rutwouldoccur on that exact day wherever whitetails happen to be (everywhere). And this does not happen like that, the rut occurs on an individual basis. Making the theory of the actual heath, condition, and stress of an individual deeror herd (at the cycling part of the year) more feasable.

LOL I must be slow(er) today, didn't get that til a few seconds after reading it.

To answer the post question... ifyou can seethis then the answer is yes.

So true. I agree. I don't know if deer move more or less during a full moon. I have never noticed a difference. All I know is, if a full moon makes them move more or less, it has nothing to do with feeding. Deer feed on the darkest nights. Around here when gun season opens up, a full moon means nothing anyway.

MLO and TXMARSHMONKEY are both correct, that deer do not need extra moon light to aid them at night for whatever reason.
A whitetail deer posesses a (tapetum lucidum) which is a reflective layer inside the retina that increases the amount of light that each photosensitive cell percieves. Allowing the animal to see better under low light conditions.
This is very prevalent and essential, especially in predatory animals that require the darkness of night to hunt prey.
Has anyone ever noticed when you shine a flashlight at a cat when its in the dark, his eyes glow? Or when you drive down the road at night, you will see a deer's eyes glowing when the headlights of your car hit it? You can see this in alot of animals, especially predators, coons, foxes, coyotes, ect. This is actually the (tapetum lucidum) that you see reflecting the light (magnifying it)
But.....Have you ever been driving at night time and a(person) is walking down the road and you didn't see them until the last minute? Did you notice that his/ her eyes didn't glow? This is because a human being lacks the (tapetum lucidum)
Just another interesting thing about the whitetail deer.