Moon

[headgear]

I just simply don’t see enough consistency in the moon phases and deer movement to make it anything more than that.

Most of us don't look at moon phase, this can not be overstated enough because people will get confused if you use the wrong terms.

[SplitG2]

Most of us don't look at moon phase, this can not be overstated enough because people will get confused if you use the wrong terms.

You’re right, Sorry bout that. I should have stated position as well. I was just looping position in with phase. With that said I’ve still never seen enough consistency in the position of the moon and deer movement. Won’t discredit the theory tho and respect anyone that believes in it. I’m sure we all got crazy things we believe in when it comes to triggering deer movement.

[Edcyclopedia]

100% of all the deer I have taken were taken while the moon was circling the earth. Just kidding of course.

No one will ever know for sure if it does or does not effect wild deer behavior because you cannot eliminate other variables. I can just attest to the fact that the more I run cameras, the more I find absolutely no correlation to moon Overhead or Underfoot. I do see some peak in late AM during full moon - but even that is sketchy. I think there are far more important factors that influence deer movement. But we each will make our own interpretation of what we perceive out in the deer woods. I used to hear the same thing about hospital ERs and baby births - but a little research shows that is not as true as most want to think - and yet some ER DRs/nurses and pediatricians swear full moon influences things…… but hospital records don't correlate to that.

Exactly Lucy! (I love Lucy)

[Dewey]

Glassing and shining is when I by far see the greatest influence of the moon. When you match up the published peak movement times you will absolutely see a difference that trail cameras in a single position can never show. You have to cover a very large area at once to get enough data to prove the increased movement. It’s very obvious to me and I definitely pay attention to the moon.

[headgear]

Most of us don't look at moon phase, this can not be overstated enough because people will get confused if you use the wrong terms.

You’re right, Sorry bout that. I should have stated position as well. I was just looping position in with phase. With that said I’ve still never seen enough consistency in the position of the moon and deer movement. Won’t discredit the theory tho and respect anyone that believes in it. I’m sure we all got crazy things we believe in when it comes to triggering deer movement.

For sure, we all have to decide for ourselves, I also see turkeys out feeding a lot when the moon is overhead or underfoot so keep an eye out for other animals as well. A lot of serious fishermen swear by the moon as well so check with them too.

[Boogieman1]

Moon affects every living creature on earth. Pay attention to how u feel/sleep/urges during the diff phases. Ever wonder why when u are driving cross country and all the cows are up feeding miles and miles apart at the same time? Or all bedded at the same time chewing cud? What about deer? If u live in farm country and a ag field is packed u can bet they all are. Does the moon cause spikes in vehicular accidents? Does the moon trigger aggression, to a point u can pretty much predict how long u got b4 racks start getting busted up? For me yes. However, there’s only one thing that trumps moon, weather and the breeding season. Pressure! That said I’ve seen some YouTube clips lately of guys hunting the heaviest hunted states in the U.S on public and arrowing giants not known to exist in wide open fields so I dunno.

Its funny you mention the vehicle accidents. I actually work in a body shop and ive always wanted to chart deer collisions on the calendar and track it to use as a reference. Just seems every year i say im going to but i dont keep up on it. I live in western Wisconsin and have pretty good deer numbers... in my opinion. Depends on whos counting. I can tell you i always save my vacation for the fall and it usually gets denied because we are buried in deer hit cars.

Standby for a couple days and save your time. I will give ya a certified copy of this years DVC’s for Wisconsin. Deer vehicular collisions, along with daylight vs dark. I will see if it’s feasible to correspond with Boone & Crockett reports and the kill zone. Hunters can say whatever they want but the fact is more guys take to the woods opening day of bow season than any other day of the year on deer that have not been hunted. And yet percentage wise for success vs other times of the year it’s extremely low. As the old espn show goes, numbers don’t lie.

Wow that would be awesome.

This is a really cool idea. I'll throw out a few issues that you'd have to take into account that can mask the signal (deer movement). Here's two: 1. at night visibility is lower and drivers are more likely to hit any deer in the road and 2. during rain/snow/icy roads you are less able to avoid safely any deer you see. That's regarding timing. Over the land, areas with twisty roads or more roadside cover will have less visibility and people are more likely to hit deer. Speed limit probably matters also.

You could actually turn this into a pretty large study, I think.

Myself and large studies don’t work very well lol. Also would add even though I believe the moon is responsible for a lot of things on earth. I wouldn’t bet my season on only hunting moon days. I hunt every chance I get. Was just saying.... when scientists and study’s say there’s no correlation between wildlife and the moon I’m throwing the BS flag.

[headgear]

Glassing and shining is when I by far see the greatest influence of the moon. When you match up the published peak movement times you will absolutely see a difference that trail cameras in a single position can never show. You have to cover a very large area at once to get enough data to prove the increased movement. It’s very obvious to me and I definitely pay attention to the moon.

I think JoeRE had some good intel on the moon and glassing in the summer, once pressure is up that won't work but I certainly feel it works and have seen it close to bedding, sometimes those extra 5 minutes are all you need to get them to move a little further and give you a shot.

[headgear]

I wouldn’t bet my season on only hunting moon days.

Nor would I and I am big believer, I might plan a few evening hunts or vacation days around them but that is about it. Then just hit the woods as much as possible but I do pay attention to what is going on, especially during the rut, when those does are moving the bucks will often be too. Shot a nice 10 this year chasing does around noon when the moon peaked at 11:40. Passed a pretty good 8 with a doe a couple of days latter at 2pm and that was within 20 minutes of the moon too. Maybe coincidence but I have seen too much moon stuff to write it off.

[Dewey]

I use the iSolunar app. It provides all the info I need.

[Dhoff]

I just simply don’t see enough consistency in the moon phases and deer movement to make it anything more than that.

Most of us don't look at moon phase, this can not be overstated enough because people will get confused if you use the wrong terms.

I think thats where i was losing a grasp on things also. I was making it more complicated. The over head under foot makes sense but i do get that its a hit or miss theory.

[may21581]

The moon has a great impact on wildlife and their feeding. Your trailcams, sightings, and harvests can tell you it does.
The other factors influence hunting success more though. Pressure trumps everything. You can have the best moon but 20 hunters on a ten acre parcel and your odds just bottomed out.
Likewise if you have the best moon and your hunting the rut and the does are on your neighbors property your odds again just tanked.
Yes the moon is interesting. In the areas that I hunt pressure, coldfronts, timing, and food sources will dictate where and when I hunt. If the moon is just right that's a bonus. If it isn't I'm still going. That's my take and others will have their own opinions and experiences.