Rutting moon

[stack]

So tonight is the rutting moon. What are you seeing going on in your areas? not seeing much of anything going on here right now. what are your thoughts on this? I still believe it has to do with the length of daylight more than the moon phase.

[Orion]

I've read a lot of the moon phase stuff and generally don't put much stock in it.  The rut occurs about the same time in the same places every year, regardless of moon phases.  

I personally don't like a full moon.  A lot of rutting/chasing occurs during the night then and less during the day. Bucks that have been chasing all night often bed down before daylight. They'll often get up and move mid-day though. I see as many big bucks from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. as I do any other time of day.  Haven't looked at my notes closely enough to correlate the sightings/movement with moon phase though.

[Ben Woodring]

Here in Hillsdale County MI the deer were moving last night, and with stable conditions I expect them to be moving again this evening.  A lot of folks swear by the moon thing as it is what they have observed.  However sometimes when we observe something it's not for the reasons we presume.  When it comes to moon phases I prefer anything but a full moon.  My observations have me looking for warm days followed by cool humid evenings this time of year.

[DaveT1963]

More people should contact their state biologist and ask if they have done birthing studies and embryo studies - research pretty much proves that the peak of the rut stays pretty dang consistent and that the vast majority of does come in and are bred in the same 3-5 day window and the overall rut stays about the same from year to year.  

I do believe position of the moon can affect deer movement on a given day provided hunting pressure or other factors like weather, wind, etc., doesn't trump it.

[woodchucker]

Actually, tonight is the "Pre-Rut" Moon... (the 1st full moon after the Autumn Equinox, also known as the "Harvest Moon") The "Rutting Moon" is the 2nd full moon after the Autumn Equinox. (also known as the "Hunter's Moon").

Usually the Pre-Rut Moon sees pretty intense deer movement because of 2 things... 1) Some Does actually do come into estrous after this moon. 2) This is the moon starting the "seeking phase" when Bucks start checking out Doe groups in search of one getting "Ready"...

The Rutting Moon actually kicks in the breeding phase, where the majority of Does are in heat & ready to be breed.

Bottom line..... GET IN THE WOODS!!!!! From now until the next Full Moon, is a Kick-A$$ time to be in the woods!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!    

[swamper]

what Orion said.

[bear bowman]

Actually saw a buck tending a doe over the weekend in a soybean field.

[stack]

Woodchucker not to argue with you but we had a full moon at the end of sept several days after the autumn equinox which was sept 23rd. I believe it was what was called the blood moon due to the eclipse. I might be wrong. I do believe this is the 2nd full moon.

[stack]

Woodchucker not to argue with you but we had a full moon at the end of sept several days after the autumn equinox which was sept 23rd. I believe it was what was called the blood moon due to the eclipse. I might be wrong. I do believe this is the 2nd full moon.

[stack]

don't know why it double posted???

[olddogrib]

It's more complicated than moon and daylight.  I hunt the northwest part of NC and the rut is typical of most parts of the US, peaking in the latter part of November.  Drive a few hours east to our coastal plains and the rut peak occurs in mid October.  Last I looked even the biologists aren't sure why and the deer sure aren't saying, but I can assure you the moon phase and hours of daylight are the same across our state.

[woodchucker]

Happens to me too!!!!!  

My apologies sir!!!!!  

[stack]

5 weeks vacation is great. I get the same thing and have a blast. No apologies needed. Good luck in the woods, the rut is coming no matter the moon or daylight it will happen!!!!!!

[highlow]

Don't want to rub it in boys, but I'm on vacation 365. I highly recommend it. Only kidding of course. Never heard it called a "Rutting Moon". Personally I don't think a full moon has any bearing whatsoever on buck activity. They seem able to see as well at night as during the day. I do think that they are more active at night as that is when the does are most actively feeding and moving. Doubt if this controversy will ever be resolved definitively.