Optimal Hunting time - Moon Dependent
 

I have read about optimal times of day to hunt depending on the phase of the moon as this is a good indicator of when deer move (not including weather, rut phase, etc)

There seem to be some conflicting theories out there. For example some have specified hunting times depending on the four moon phases, whereas other hunt only within the hours the moon is overhead or underfoot. These two theories don't usually conicide.

So which is better? Or are there additional theories?

My take on the matter, which will I do? Take my bow and blind out in the woods and spend the whole day there, just before dark until sunset. I've got the patience for it, and all of those theories are general and don't apply to all deer anyway.

im kind of with jicand, i can only hunt so many days so it doesnt really matter what the calendar or phase says, ill hunt when i can hunt regardless. That being said, last year i took a buck about 945am, and i did notice on the hunting/fishing calendar for that day, the prime time for game movement that morning was between 9 and 11 so it does make you wonder if theres something to it

Ya i just got a new calender that tells all the good days for hunting so I guess I am gonna test it out and find out.

I have found that the over head under foot theory is pretty close, but given the chance I'm in the wood's. Doesn't matter what the moon phase is, can't kill'em on the couch eh!

I don't pay much attention to it, I hunt every chance I get regardlees of the moon phase.

I worry more about the wind than I do about the moon, although I had rather hunt on a dark moon. The rut is the main thing I want to hunt.

Has anyone heard that during a quarter moon, deer tend to move later in the morning and earlier in the evening than a new moon for example?

X2!! I have a clock/calendar hanging in my deer camp. I believe its called a Keppler Moon Clock. I think it is based on the over head- under foot theory also.I will get it this weekend when I'm up there. I also am a firm believer that you can't kill 'em from the couch! Also, I won't miss a chance to hunt during the rut! I was told long ago "there are days that you a better off staying at home!" I have come to believe that also. Days of severe weather and/or high winds, you'd just as well be doing "honey-do's!"

Sorry to be so dumb, but what is this overhead underfoot thing. I really don't understand the underfoot part for sure.

Overhead and underfoot are basically when the moon is perpendicular to the surface at the point where you are located. Overhead is when the moon is directly above you at the highest point in the sky (whether middle of the day or at night). When it is underfoot the moon is antipodal (opposite) side of the earth, but directly below you, so it would be directly "overhead" in the Indian Ocean while it was "underfoot" for you.

I have heard that, but since I'm out there anyway I really haven't paid it much attention. And JagMan. I wouldn't be so sure about doing the honey do list on windy days, I have seen some of my biggest bucks on days you had to use to straps to keep yourself in the tree, just wasn't in the right tree.

Won't affect me since I don't hunt the indian Ocean. lol

PY, I killed one of my best bucks when it was windy enough to make you sea sick in the stand! But, that was after a strong front and heavy rain pushed through. Plus it was during the peak of the rut, the 'ol boy was just refreshing his scrapes!
I have learned though that at some of these times, like hot, humid, blustry days, the odds are just not in your favor because the deer just don't tend to move much in these conditions. Most of the time though, I'm stubborn enough to hunt anyway!