Moon Phases??
 

OK Guys and Gals,
How many of you pay attention to the moon phases and adjust your hunts accordingly? I have always looked for the moon rising early in the afternoon as the best time to be in the stand. I have always seen deer moving and feeding early in theafternoon when this happens. The full moon seems to shut down most activity early in the season around here. At least durring the daylight hours.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

From my experience, I've seen more deer in the afternoon (11 A.M.-4 P.M.) when the moon is full. I 'googled' moon phases and the effect it has on deer and it backed up my experience. It said less deer/bucks where taken when the moon was full. That's because most hunters feel mornings and evenings is the best time to hunt. But in reality deer, for the most part, aren't necessarily "programmed" to feed mornings and evenings. They adjust accordingly due to moon phases and chemical make-up. It's instinct. If cool enough early in the year, try going out at 8-9 o'clock and hunt through the afternoon. It's really a matter of trial and error.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Actual research (TR Michaels) suggest that the most deer activity and most havests occur during the full moon phase. However, my experience has been like most others in that I hardly see anything in the mornings following a full moon. A heavy overcast night helps though.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Bob, is that information on the web? If so can you e-mail it to me. I recieved mine from an article on the web. I know your not supposed to trust everything on the web, so maybe my source wasn't lagit. I just went to google and searched 'moon phases effect deer'. This is aquestionthat I have fathemed for the last 4 years or so. Ithought I've might have figured it out. This weekend will be a good test I guess. I think the Full Moon is tonight?. I'm the same as you mornings and evenings I don't see much, I see more drivingin the middleof the afternoon.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

stealthHtr22.

I'm not sure if I can post this here. But we'll try.

Here is a link to TR, you may have to purchase his actual research papers (I'm not sure if he puts them on his web), but could could try chatting with him in his forum. Tell him BobCo19-65 sent you from here. He is a very knowledgeable and honest person and has spent tons of time doing actual research in the field.

http://www.trmichels.com/DeerArticles.htm

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Thanks BobCo, appreciate it!

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Does not research also show more correlation to deer movement to moon position rather than phase? Example, deer movement is suppose to increase when the moon is directly over head and directly under foot ie, the other side of the planet. This could be anytime from noon and midnight to 9 am and 9pm.

I see very little daylight activity during a full moon but I have to say I usually only get evenings during this time. I've stayed in my stand in past seasons to hear the deer after darkness and on some occassions were able to glass them with enough light.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

I have noticed that when the moon is full morning hunts can be sucessful in that the deer are feeding during the night and returning to bedding areas. Just have to catch them in the transition period.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

For years I have used this website for fishing and hunting primetimes. (Scroll to bottom of website page for valuable information.I can attest for it's accuracy both for fishing AND hunting). Note that it does point out that early morning and late evening are frequently good times also. Also, the MOON CALCULATOR is good anywhere you are in the U.S./Canada....valuable also.
http://www.texasprimetimes.com/Texas_Feeding_Tables/texas_feeding_tables.html

Also, here is a very handy, accurate clock to use in conjunction with the MOON CALCULATOR
http://mackgreen.com/signature.php/temp.gif

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Rob,
I think the info you talk about is correct. At least from what I've seen. When the moon is rising in the afternoon I see all kinds of activity on my way home from work. That time is usally around 4:00 pm. I see deer along the road feeding and in peoples front yard. That is the time I try to get in the stand.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

I love the second one. It will be an interesting game this sat..

RE: Moon Phases??
 

One thing to be mindful of with respect to the Full Moon is that, during thefew days before and after a full moon, the moon will be overhead around midnight, and underfoot around noon. So, the peak feeding times do not coincide with peak "hunting" times, dusk and dawn.

Check out the calendar for this month, and you'll see what I mean. The full moon & apogee is on 10/6 (today).

Apogee is when the moon is the farthest from the earth, meaning that its gravitational pull is the weakest. Also, the apogee full moon is 1/3 dimmer than its perigee full moon, which occurs around March I think. Perigee is when it's closest and brightest. Just some food to chew on.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

There is no clear consensus. Nobody knows for sure. We're all just a bunch of people speculating. I get out there and hunt - screw the moon. Deer do whatever the they want to. They are unpredictable. The only sure thing is you can't kill them on your couch.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Quicksilver...I really like that chart. Interesting that my game camera that overlooks my food plot took 3 picks on 9/5... all 3 between 10:45 am and noon. Could be a coincedence but who knows. Obviously not every chart is going to work for every area.. local factors apply but I think I'll change things up a bit this weekend and only hunt one morning and try an afternoon on the other. Given that Saturday is going to be unseasonably warm I'll probably try the morning one there and give sunday mid-morning a shot.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

I hear people say that during a full moon the deer feed all night long because they can see better. Deer see fine with no moon, and I thaught they fed at night all the time. That is why we catch them going to food plots in the afternoon and going to bedding areas in the morning, RIGHT?

I agree with Rob also the position of the moon is the determining factor more than the phase.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

I love this....my quote of the day!

RE: Moon Phases??
 

I hunted last night and this morning. It wasn't a full moon but it was pretty close to it. They were feeding early this morning, maybe 5:45 in the bean field behind our place. I spooked them out on the way to my stand. I think they feed a lot during the night in a full or near full moon. I didn't even need a flashlight to get to my stand at 6:00, it was that light.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

Actually, the moon in near Perigree tonight. That's why it looks bigger and closer tonight than usual. Also, I think we are in the Harvest moon phase, when the old timers used to stay out and bring in their crops. Don't know how it effects the deer though. Like others, I always heard that the deer feed more during these nights, and move less during the day, but now I'm not sure.

RE: Moon Phases??
 

you guys should try this!! http://www.heuristicresearch.com/outdoors/fishbyte.html

RE: Moon Phases??
 

wow, theres a lot of good info here. Thanks guys. I did see 3 bucks traveling together this evening around 7pm. south centrial michigan. I hope that does not throw off the perdictions!!! good luck to all of you.