Moon Phase?

Humblesmith

New Member
Sep 26, 2013
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Have any of yall found a connection between moon phases are success with mule deer? It would seem to me that under a full moon, the deer could see better at night and would be less likely to be around during the day. So I'd guess that the dark of the moon would have them showing themselves more during the day. But I have no evidence to back this up. Anyone have any evidence?
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
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Reno Nv
Yep you nailed it. Full moon they will have been feeding at night. The best chance to see one is early mornings and late evenings.
 

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
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Allegan, MI
I think most would say that the mornings after a full moon are better since they seem to stay bedded longer in the evening before they get up to start feeding and then may be out longer before bedding the following day. However, it's basicly somewhat of an old wives tale about them seeing better in a full moon because there have been many scientific studies that show they can see just as well or better in the dark of the moon as we can see during the day. I always check to see what the moon phase is in any given year for when I'll be hunting and I stay out longer in the morning, but I definitely don't base my actual hunting days of whether I'm going or not on it.
 

tttoadman

Very Active Member
Nov 16, 2012
629
1
Oregon
I have a strange theory that has no backup other than "I think".

If you are hunting a relatively small area that borders areas that hold deer, I believe a full moon may help you. I have this idea that animals may cover more ground at night when they can clearly see, and you may have animals in your area in the morning when you get there. I think this is true of elk for sure, but I am not certain it applies to deer so much. Just one of the weird ideas that go through my head.
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
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North Umpqua, Oregon
I am a firm believer in hunting a dark moon for deer and elk. I even try to anticipate the hunting seasons out 5 or 10 years and compare that to the moon cycle for those dates, so I can draw on years with a darker moon and closest to rut dates.

Let's put it this way, i have never heard anyone complain a hunt was more difficult than they anticipated on a dark moon, yet have heard numerous complaints when hunting a full moon.

For elk, a year ago a well known elk producer gave me a full moon strategy I am looking forward to trying out.
 

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
I'm with you 100% on those thoughts UH, except for the looking 5-10 years down the line because at my age I'm just looking at the upcoming season and hoping I'm still around for it, LOL!!!
 

sdebrot

Member
Jan 9, 2012
89
0
west michigan
I know with whitetails that the full moon does affect time of movement. Last year in Nebraska most of the big bucks I saw were extremely early (first ten minutes of legal light) and mid-day. We were hunting during the full moon phase. I would believe you could conclude similar behavior patterns with mule deer. The big difference being their bedding habits. Whitetails look for heavy cover and most mule deer I have hunted are found in more open areas. Bottom line the moon phase is less of a worry when I hunt mule deer. If I was planning a trip and I had the choice I would go with a darker moon phase period to go.
 

Alabama

Veteran member
Feb 18, 2013
1,395
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Sweet Home Alabama
Based on my experience I like hunting the first and last quarter moon phases. Peak movement seems to be morning and afternoon. New moon and full moon seem to make the deer move at midnight and midday. Weather and especially barometric pressure seem to be the most consistent indicators on whether deer will move or not.
 

NVBird'n'Big

Veteran member
May 27, 2011
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Reno, NV
I've always been a believer of the moon phase effect on deer, but, I just started reading Hunting Open Country Mule Deer by Dwight Schuh (good read recommended on another thread here by other forum guys) and he pretty much calls BS on it. Not sure what I think still but it gets me thinking that maybe I tend to overthink the small things.
 

HiMtnHnter

Active Member
Sep 28, 2012
445
4
Wyoming
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I've always been a believer of the moon phase effect on deer, but, I just started reading Hunting Open Country Mule Deer by Dwight Schuh (good read recommended on another thread here by other forum guys) and he pretty much calls BS on it. Not sure what I think still but it gets me thinking that maybe I tend to overthink the small things.
My experience has been better during a dark moon for traditional times to see game. I think deer movement is less early in the morning when there is a full moon. I do pay attention to seasons and try to plan around a full moon, but in the end I prefer to go hunting. One year my brother killed a timberline buck at 11 am during a full moon phase. He was up and feeding. . . . I think a full moon can be productive, it just may take some adjustments . . .
 

RUTTIN

Veteran member
Feb 26, 2011
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Kamas, Utah
Elk I know will rut a lot harder at night during a full moon. Mule deer I have found will bed up earlier and then tend to be out more during the middle of the day, but I am also bow hunting in November when it is cold and they seem to need the groceries more. I'm like some of the others I just like to be out hunting regardless.
 

gonhunting247

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Jan 21, 2014
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My experience has been better during a dark moon for traditional times to see game. I think deer movement is less early in the morning when there is a full moon. I do pay attention to seasons and try to plan around a full moon, but in the end I prefer to go hunting. One year my brother killed a timberline buck at 11 am during a full moon phase. He was up and feeding. . . . I think a full moon can be productive, it just may take some adjustments . . .
I totally agree with the less early in the morning. My theory is this: When the moons out bright the deer are out feeding and bed down after getting their fill. They get back up late morning to feed a little and head for their regular bedding areas.
When there is very little light I think they are still up feeding early in the morning making for the more traditional hunting times.
It works for me where I live, but I'm sure there are a million factors that can effect this theory. Temperature and precipitation being two of the major ones.
 

jimss

Active Member
Jun 10, 2012
234
96
There are a lot of factors that should be considered. The moon phase is just 1 of many! A lot depends on the time of year and conditions of the particular hunt. If you are hunting archery high alpine bucks in Wyo or Colo with a full moon with 70 to 80 degree daytime temps I would venture a guess that buck activity would mostly be limited to early/late in the day and night. Obviously they may get up mid-day to stretch and feed but for the most part they are going to lay in a cool, breezy, shaded spot during daylight.

If you are hunting late season in November in Colo with deep snow and clouds all night with a full moon in a unit with little hunting pressure the bucks may be active all day. If you are in a different unit in Colo with lots of OTC elk hunters (lots of hunting pressure) and the same weather/moon phase the bucks may not be active much until dark. I've hunted one of the premier muley units in Colo during the 4th season with 60 degree days, full moon, little hunting pressure in a year with little snow....and it was a super tough hunt. The bucks hadn't migrated into the unit due to lack of snow and were spooked into thick trees patches up high by all the OTC elk hunters. It was a super tough hunt! Even the next year with 0 moon with the same warm temps and 0 snow it would also be super tough hunt!

With that said, there are a lot of conditions (moon phase, depth of snow, daytime temps, browse and water, hunting pressure, migration, rut activity, velvet vs shedding velvet timing, etc) that all should be considered when picking units, hunt timing, particular year to draw a tag, etc).
 

rindog

New Member
Mar 9, 2013
14
0
Denver, CO
Based on my experience I like hunting the first and last quarter moon phases. Peak movement seems to be morning and afternoon. New moon and full moon seem to make the deer move at midnight and midday. Weather and especially barometric pressure seem to be the most consistent indicators on whether deer will move or not.
What's the connection to barometric pressure?
 

chiefgobbler

Active Member
Jun 26, 2011
172
15
Central California
Not sure if I am 100% sold on the moon phase issue. I recall packing out several deer killed late in the day over the years in the light of a full moon. How does stormy weather or cloud cover effect the moonlight impact? In many instances due to season dates, vacation etc. required that hunts occur during the full moon. That is the case this October as I will be hunting Wyoming during a full moon.
 

Shane13

Active Member
Aug 8, 2012
346
274
Hawley, Texas
I don't think it's necessarily moon phase as much as it is moon position. There are theories about how animals feed and are active more when the moon is straight up overhead in the sky. Of course, the moon is straight up at night in a full moon phase, straight up during mid-day during new moon phase, and straight up around dawn and dusk during 1st and last quarter moon phases. Think about the moon and high tide in the ocean.... Of course, weather and other factors affect deer activity as well. I've killed deer in all moon phases and all times of day. I've yet to kill a deer in my living room. Go hunt whenever you have the opportunity. :)
 

Gr8bawana

Veteran member
Aug 14, 2014
2,670
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Nevada
I tend to agree with Dwight Schuh. Do you really think that prey animals such as deer need moonlight to see well at night
They need to eat even when its pitch black and move around no matter what, and they have to be able to spot those predators.
I think it's just another of those old beliefs from the old timers.
 

Big Sky

Active Member
Apr 6, 2011
151
1
Bozeman Mt.
I have broken down just as many animals with the moonlight as I have using a head lamp. I say hunt when you can and enjoy your self.