T.R.'s Hunting Tips; Does the moon affect deer. Introduction

[trmichels]

I've just been asked by the administrator to write for this website, and to jump on the message board and add some hunting tips. My name s T.R. Michels, I live in Wanamingo, MN, USA. Now, I know it ain't Canada, but Minnesota is as close as you can get without actually being there. Please don't hold it against me that I'm a Yank.

I have been guiding, researching, writing and speaking about whitetails for 10 years, turkey for 4 years, and am currently working on my seocnd year of elk research (on 700 head of elk, with 70 bulls scoring between 280 and 400). I will doing elk research in about an hour.

If you have questions on deer/elk/turkey biology, behavior, calls, scents, decoys, rattling, or hunting techniques, fire away and I will try my best to give you scientific/experience based answers. If you need more credientials, I'll gladly supply them. Ask and you shall receive.

That being said, Do you guys think whitetails are affected by the moon?

Let's start a discussion on this topic.

I'm kind of new to this. How do I "Add A Poll." Maybe the administrator or moderator can do it. Here are the questions for a Poll

1. Does the position of the moon affect hourly deer movement?

2. Does the amount of moonlight affect daily/nightlydeer movement?

3. Does the phase of the moon affect monthly deer movement (more movement one week than another) ?

4. Does the phase of the moon trigger the rut?


I'll check back later. Gotta get some sleep.

T.R. Michels
trmichels@yahoo.com

[jfig]

Welcome

[WOOKIE]

I believe, as I have mentioned before, that I do not think the moon affects deer, with the exception of a full moon or near full moon on a severe clear day at dusk and dawn, when it will naturally be lighter than any other given day at the same time. Just my two cents worth.

[cooter]

I also beleive the moon has lots to do with it. But this year in Alta with the drought I also beleive el meeno is a facter also

[scooter]

I also beleive the moon has lots to do with it. But this year in Alta with the drought I also beleive el meeno is a facter also
Humm....what do ya think? POLL!

[ronburrell]

The moon plays a big part in the life of a deer. much more active with a full moon. They see a little better than us in the dark they also know every inch of their range , but ,they also lose their fear in the dark.

[Grunter]

For sure the moon affects that habitual patterns of our cervid friends!

BTW, Cooter it's El Nino :o

[Taxman]

Hey there TR!

Taxman from the old Hunting BBS forums as well (don't go there anymore though).

I've tracked deer sightings (and/or kills) over the past four seasons, the second week of November. I know that is no where near as scientific as your studies, but we have seen more deer and had more kills during the full moon phase of the week.

So, yes, I believe the moon phases has some impact on deer activity. While it may cut down early morning sightings, I think it means more deer, more active in the mid afternoon.

Mike

[kakko]

I am not sure of the scientific factor, but I do follow the charts for activity of solar and lunar charts and to date for myself the peaks and valleys of movement in hunting and fishing have been close to the charts, with this being said being in the right place at the right time and your scouting of a given area will increase your results