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I got on bowsite.com last year and dont post much but read as much as I can. Last fall someone posted about what days you need to be out according to the moon and from trail camera pictures he was pretty right on. Does anyone remember who posted that or if they will post it again this year?
Noctural posted it. He’s spot on every year with that stuff!
Well, I am happy that a few utilized the time I put in to make those posts. I don't see myself making a post like that this year. There is no secret to what I look at either. As I have explained many times before.
What many have noticed, myself included, is that there is a correlation to deer movement when the moon is underfoot and overhead during feeding times. When the moon is O/H &U/F 2 hours before dark, closer to dusk the better, are the times I see most hunters take notice. I think it's because most hunters focus naturally on food. The deer are up earlier and on food earlier those days. However, place cameras in and around bedding areas. Most would realize there is indeed, a gravitational effect on their movements, because i see they do in fact get up and browse whenever the moon is directly OH and UF. Pressure is by far the biggest factor, with weather coming in 2nd place. Obviously not a guarantee but I do feel like it has helped me in some ways. Dark moon is another..
1 thing I see that no one talks about. Comparing morning vs evening movement. Morning movement increases when the moon is waxing and slows down as it gets closer to full, then switches to more movement in the evening when the moon starts to wane.
During the rut I have noticed that a few days before and a few days after the full moon, mid morning movement really picks up. I sometimes see this trump weather too. I can think of a couple here that looks at the moon. Maybe PetePec will chime.
I believe in moon rise and set. Short activity period especially with Musky fishing
I checked moon position yesterday before I went out and was disappointed to see that the moon was setting 7 minutes after the sun set. I'm with you on this one Nocturnal.
I will add one thing. Sitting on the couch waiting for optimum times is also detrimental to killing deer. I have talked with Ryan on the topic of the moon, and I think there is a correlation for sure. Part of it is daylight and darkness in conjunction with feeding activity. Does are typically feeding, and bucks are looking for does, so there is certainly a correlation to when bucks are seen, based on when does are feeding, based on when it is legal shooting hours. I have scientific evidence that proves the more you hunt, the better you play the wind, the more apt you are where deer want to be, the more likely you will encounter deer activity. Ass-time is tough to beat, but burning up good stand sites is easy to do, especially concerning adult deer. There is a fine line between hunting too much, and burning up stands due to human scent left behind. That said, you have to be out there to kill them, so if confidence is gained by following a formula, I'm all for it!
When the moon is in the Seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars, peace will guide your hunting while deer stare at the stars?
So you basically are saying Solunar times are he best times to hunt/fish. I too look for days the Solunar time that ends about sunset (like Tuesday when I will go get some Walleyes) & that starts about sunrise.
Ever see your bird feeder when the birds are fighting for perch? Ever see your dog lay around for a few hours and then won't leave you alone/wants to play? Ever see the cows on a field all laying down and later all feeding? Ever just feel antsy - I have to do something? ALL Solunar Times.
I have been hunting doves all week. My dog loves it, lots of shooting, but not a lot of birds in the pot,,, ha ha.... Its a quarter moon, now or what I would call a sliver. Deer are out all afternoon. In the last few days, from 230pm and on, I have seen deer out.
Once I start to bow hunt, I hunt. I hunt every day. Do not have the perfect wind, well when do you ever get it, so I just go. I do observe the moon phases, and make notes, but I am going to hunt..... I just hate a full moon, never do well on that.
I took a drive tonight about 6:30 pm and saw a total of 8 up and moving. None where I hunt.
Another sliver moon yesterday. I was out hunting doves, deer were moving into the fields by 4pm and quite active. Sure wish we had this moon during the rut, but I guess mother nature, knows a little bit,
Where does one find the moon phase information and how it correlates to hunting? I generally hunt from mid-Oct to mid-Nov but would love to see how the moon phases correlate to what I observe this year.
RD- I use the app Huntstand. It’s free, and gives a boatload of information hunting related. They have a solar/lunar section that breaks it down by day.
Ahh yeah Reggie you're right. I didnt know that. Thanks!!
almost a quarter to three quarter moon this afternoon.... since 130pm... seen over 19 deer,,,,, we are moving and setting up for geese and doves...
Reggiezpop - thank you for the source. I really appreciate it.
My observations are similar to Nocturnal's. Also, he's not saying hunt according to the moon, pressure and weather are more important factors. You also have to consider if you are hunting over food sources, particularly fields, where deer are feeding out in the open. Also, the rut is another variable and so are food sources, especially this time of year when crops are being harvested and acorns are falling.
I don't let the moon dictate when I hunt, but where I sit, or if I decide to hunt the morning or not, since I pretty much focus my hunting on field edges now. Also, I see the moon phase/position being more of a factor when weather has been relatively stable for several days.