When to hunt?
 

I am blessed with the ability to take a day off now and then when I want as I am self employed. My wife has agreed to give me two days of dawn to dusk time in the tree.

I have studied a little on moon phases and the what the "experts" say about the second full moon after the fall equinox being the likely start of the does entering estrous. So, next Wednesday is a full moon. A full moon, in their theory means feeding/movement patterns should result in midday movement with less during early/late times. Whereas quarter moon phases will likely involve more morning/evening activity. Will the rut start early this year? Who knows, but some say yes, I believe primarily based on the moon phases.

Do I hunt next week, or wait a week? There has been good scraping activity in my area already. Also, and importantly, if I wait until the following week, the cowboys who hunt this area will likely invade it and make it more difficult to find prime locations. Next week the highs are expected to be in the 60's all week, lows in the 40's.

Thanks for any input.

RE: When to hunt?
 

I'd get in there and hunt before the other's get in there and scare the deer .I'd also make time for the full moon as well.
I've never paid much attention to moon phases but maybe this is one thing I'm doing wrong ,the last 3 outing's I've seen no deer ,I'd like to blame it on inconsistant weather ,uncharactoristicly warm weather and the corn still standing .Maybe I'm wrong and I might try your advice .
I'm not sure where your from but the weather has been very warm here in Ont this fall and I was thinking that the rut might be late ,but if your asumption's of the full moon is correct then maybe that's the answer.
Good luck to you on your hunting ,but I wouldn't wait ,I'd get in there before the rifle hunter's scare them to extinction.

nubo

RE: When to hunt?
 

In my experience it is tough to hunt the morning after the full moon (if it is a clear sky, it's even worse), evenings are a bit better. I don't base much on moon phases after that. If I had two days to choose from it would probably be the wedn and thursday of the first week of November especially if you have patterned a deer. I like mid week because there is usually less hunting pressure. Good luck and let us know how you have made out.

RE: When to hunt?
 

Thanks guys. Nubo I hunt near the KS/Neb border along the Republican River. Tough choice, may have to flip a coin . . .