Moon Position and Deer Activity Observations

[Rusty]

There is a theory that deer are most active each day when the moon is at its highest point over-head and then again roughly 12 hours later when the moon is down underfoot.  During a full moon and new moon this would be at noon and midnight.

 

There are other factors that override the moon, such as timed feeders, changes in weather, hunting pressure, and the rut.  But, if these factors are not significant then the moon should have an impact on when deer move each day.

 

This time of year is a perfect time to see if there is any truth to this.  With all of the trail cameras and early season hunters out there we should be able to see if there is any validity to this idea.  I have listed the times when the deer should be most active each day.  If you have trail camera pictures or you see good deer activity while hunting on these dates please list the date and time.

 

 

9/14-16,  mid-morning, 8:00 am to noon

 

9/17-19,  Full Moon = mid-day, 10:00 to 2:00

 

9/20-22,  early afternoon, 1:00 to 5:00

 

9/23-25,  afternoon, 2:00 to 6:00

 

9/26-28,  dawn and dusk

 

9/29-30,  morning, 7:00 to 10:00

 

10/1-3, late morning, 8:00 to noon

 

10/4-6,  New Moon = mid-day, 10:00 to 2:00

 

10/7-9  early afternoon, 3:00 to dark

 

10/10-12,  Dawn and Dusk

 

10/13-15, mid-morning, 8:00 to noon

 

10/16-18, Full Moon = mid-day, 10:00 to 2:00

 

Late October and November = The Rut trumps the moon.

[Axiom]

Pesonal Observation from my stand 9/18, 19, 20 .. Little to NO activity in the AM or PM... 

Edited September 20, 2013 by Axiom

[Bucksnbows]

I'll weigh in next time I pull my SD cards.  I'm out of commission for the rest of this year's bow season, unfortunately. 

[Rusty]

I'll weigh in next time I pull my SD cards.  I'm out of commission for the rest of this year's bow season, unfortunately. 

 

Oh NO, what happened? 

[Bucksnbows]

Oh NO, what happened? 

Check your PMs

[BHC]

checking my cam tomorrow I will post what is on it.

 

bucksnbows what happen I hope it works out for you

[Palawman30]

I pulled 2 cards and all the activity I had over the last week was 530-830 am and 330-630pm and alittle more right around 10pm

[Hatchet]

Saw atleast 20 deer in non crop field @6:15 pm ! Major highway in z19 so i couldn't see any horns with out risk of get'n run over !lol .drive by this field a lot which is usually over grown n never see more than 1-3 at one time ! Looks like the entire herd was out tonight .

 

Hope your ok bucksnbows! Get well soon !

Edited September 20, 2013 by Hatchet

[Bucksnbows]

Thanks everyone.  They're going to crack me open like a walnut on Monday.  Quadruple bypass and replacing my aortic valve with a mechanical one (yet I shoot fixed broadheads, go figure ).  All of this due to radiation treatments for cancer 19 years ago.  Doctors tell me I'll be good as new since it's different than arterial sclerosis.  But I was shocked to learn that I had already had at least one heart attack and never knew it.  Doesn't look like too much damage happened to my heart muscle, so I'm out of commission for a few months and back hunting by NY rifle season.  At least that's my goal.  Didn't know if I would post about it or not.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'll posting again soon.  

[BHC]

good luck bucks

[jerseyhunter]

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery Bucks. I had a stroke and the Dr's said I had 2 others I didn't know about. Put off the MRI for a month due to hunting season. Nurses couldn't believe or understand it.

Edited September 20, 2013 by jerseyhunter

[robnj]

Thanks everyone.  They're going to crack me open like a walnut on Monday.  Quadruple bypass and replacing my aortic valve with a mechanical one (yet I shoot fixed broadheads, go figure ).  All of this due to radiation treatments for cancer 19 years ago.  Doctors tell me I'll be good as new since it's different than arterial sclerosis.  But I was shocked to learn that I had already had at least one heart attack and never knew it.  Doesn't look like too much damage happened to my heart muscle, so I'm out of commission for a few months and back hunting by NY rifle season.  At least that's my goal.  Didn't know if I would post about it or not.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'll posting again soon.  

heal quick

[Hatchet]

hey jack ! lol ! don't worry bout hijack'n any threads if it's about a health issue. get r done , heal up , then drop'm where they stand . best wishes to you !

[Bucksnbows]

Thanks everyone.  Should be good for the gun seasons. 

[Rusty]

I'm out of commission for the rest of this year's bow season.   

 

Maybe not.  As soon as you are strong enough to pull 3 pounds with your trigger finger let me know.  We have the following for you:

 

property that is in need of some serious population control (aka - a target rich environment),   

 

a crossbow, 

 

a ground blind,

 

transportation directly to the ground blind,

 

and I'm sure that Matty will be happy to gut your deer for you.

 

 

Matty set this baby up for me and it's been waiting to take its first deer.

 

 

And just so that we're not hijacking this thread,  the moon says that October 21 would be a great day for an afternoon hunt.    

Edited September 21, 2013 by Rusty