Does the moon phase affect deer movement?

He’s good to go.

Thanks Blue!

FDr

Francis…between the tracks…good to go!! Call me when you find them…

Ted

Many articles and stories have been written about the different phases of the moon and how it affects the rut and deer movement. I typically don’t pay much attention to it because I hunt every single minute that I can regardless of where the moon phase is at. However, I did stumble upon something very interesting this year and I want to know if you encountered the same.

During the full moon in Oct. (22nd-24th), my trail cameras lit up with many bucks moving during day light hours on properties that I hunt in MN and WI. Before and after the full moon, the sightings were about the same. The weather was pretty consistent during that time frame so I eliminated that. I’m interested in finding out if anyone here seen the same thing on their trail cameras or encountered this in the field or what is your opinion?

although i hunt as much as possible yes i believe that moon phase does affect deer movement throughout the year…I kind of look at the moon rise and set…similar to muskie fishing or anytime of fishing for that matter….looking in my journals i have noticed higher levels of movement (sometimes its just one deer at mid day) than at other times….tough question to ever find an answer to…interesting to see what others have to say

I would say that time frame would be pre rut also so those bucks are moving more frequently. I would have to add that i would look at overall movement and not just bucks to this topic.

YES, it sure does

I am out the door and out of time but I do have some ideas.

Say Brad-any chance you would post or PM me the time stamp and date on those photos? I am wondering if I will see the same patterns with your deer as I do the Lunge.

See you boy’s later-

Great topic

Isn’t the theory that they move LESS during the day in full moon times because it is so bright at night?

What were the nights like on the days you saw alot of movement? More specifically, was it cloudy or clear at night?

Thanks Bob – this should be interesting. Here are the dates and time of the pictures.

Pic #1 – 10.22.10 @ 4:58pm
Pic #2 – 10.21.10 @ 6:49am
Pic#3 – 10.21.10 @ 7:28am
Pic#4 – 10.25.10 @ 4:50pm
Pic#5 – 10.24.10 @ 6:05pm
Pic #6 – 10.22.10 @ 9:08am
Pic #7 – 10.23.10 @ 5:20pm
Pic #8 – 10.22.10 @ 6:23am
Pic# 9 – 10.21.10 @ 5:42pm

Quote:

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Isn’t the theory that they move LESS during the day in full moon times because it is so bright at night?

What were the nights like on the days you saw alot of movement? More specifically, was it cloudy or clear at night?

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Yes – I’ve read and heard that deer move less during the day in a full moon phase.

Let me first say that I believe there are many other factors that affect deer movement other than just the moon phase. Some of these factors would include weather conditions, temperature, precipation, wind speed, wind directon, food, water, predators and especially hunting pressure. For the most part, most of these conditions were somewhat normal during the dates of the pictures. I just thought it was quite interesting to see the cameras light up with bucks moving during daylight hours on three different hunting properties that are 200 miles apart. This does not mean that I didn’t get bucks on camera during the daylight outside of the full moon phase. I was just wondering if other members here captured bucks during the daylight over the Oct. full moon phase.

Quote:

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Isn’t the theory that they move LESS during the day in full moon times because it is so bright at night?

What were the nights like on the days you saw alot of movement? More specifically, was it cloudy or clear at night?

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I am no expert by any means but I have always heard that the deer tend to move more from 10 am- 2pm during the day during the full moon, and then also again at night. Driving around I do notice deer feeding around noon before or during a full moon.

I tried keeping a journal this fall and i did take into consideration the moon phase and deer movement. In the 2-3 full moons that we had, i didn’t notice any decrease in activity even w/ cameras out. I actually saw quite a bit of activity during the full moon and prior. I don’t believe in the theory and i think it’s more important to hunt regardless of the moon phase Im not going to let the moon dictate when i hunt because i love to hunt. There are too many confounding variables when it comes to deer movement (temperature, rain, wind, time of year, etc)

Great topic.
My .02$…Since I was a kid I fished and hunted by the ‘Farmers Almanac’…not that I wouldn’t go any chance I got, and I still do, but if I am looking for a day off or planning a trip to fish or hunt, I try to always use the solunar tables to help me plan the outing. I’ve just always known my percentages are higher to catch fish or see game when I can be out during the ‘suggested’ times…..