moon phase on elk hunting

[nebugle]

I am curious what everyones take on moon phase in relationship to elk hunting success is. My own personal experience is low success with a full moon. What does moon phase do to elk during the rut. I would think it would have less of an impact. Lets hear your take on the subject!

 

[Hilltop]

I believe the moon does decrease daytime activity- rut or not. At this point in the season, most elk are winding down as most cows are already bred. On unpressured private land there will still be some rut activity but not like 10-20 days ago. The moon this time of year will still have some impact but I believe hunting pressure and weather play a much bigger role during the month of October. Moon or no moon- daytime elk activity will be limited where there is pressure unless you get a good winter storm.

 

[25contender]

I plan my archery season elk trip around the moon phase. I like to arrive where I hunt on the Waning side of the full moon so I can hunt through the new moon phase. This is my favorite moon phase. Even better is when the New moon coincides with the Autumnal Equinox which is the 22nd of September. Seems like no mater what the phase the best activity is between 1 hour prior and 1 hour after the moon is straight up in the sky or straight down. It might be coincidence but it has always worked well for me.

Here is a thread on moon phase. http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/7993-Moon-Phase?highlight=moon+phase

 

[nebugle]

From what I have turned up it has more to do with the time of day you hunt than moon phase. However I am going to start keeping a record of elk movement and the moon along with sighting times and weather.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Here is how I distill it….I have never heard of anyone complain about the moon, and lack of game seen, when they hunted elk or deer on a dark moon.

 

[WapitiBob]

I think it makes for a good excuse.

 

[RUTTIN]

I tried to keep track better this year, our hunt ended with the week of the full moon. We would hear elk bugling all night until the moon would set around 5:30am the. All bugling would end. Bulls were still feeding their way to bed about an hour after first light. Then during the middle of the day( 11 to 2:30) bulls were back at it bugling and carrying on, then they would come out just before dark and it would start all over again.


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