Heading down south to hunt hogs in a couple weeks and looks like it's going to be during a full moon. Does the full moon affect their daytime activity? Any tips or advice would be appreciated. We have a blast chasing those hogs!
Jay
I am a firm believer that moon phases do influence peak times for movement/ feeding in most animals. I am not sure where you are headed, but check to make sure if there are any state laws or ranch restrictions on hunting hogs at night . If not, and depending on your shooting ability, style ("instinctive"), and limiting the range of your shot, try them at night. Many a hog has gone down this way. But, and I will stress, keep it legal and ethical. Good luck to you.
I do shoot instinctive, but night hunting is not allowed. We hunt spot and stalk, and seem to find hogs in the same general areas year to year. Didn't know how the moon would affect their feeding/ movement.
They may feed more actively at night. If you are primarily hunting by spot and stalk, you may catch them up and feeding midday. It just depends on how much pressure they receive. You can always catch them bedded in blowdowns or thickets. Just always move slowly into the wind. Still hunting can be effective.
• Feral hogs are naturally nocturnal because it keeps them cooler and safer.
• But during a full moon, it's much brighter at night.
• That extra light makes them feel more exposed to predators (and humans).
• So they often:
• Move less in open areas
• Spend more time in thick cover
• Shift feeding to late dusk, pre-dawn, or even daytime
I been going down on my annual hog hunt to Florida for 23 years and I definitely noticed that in full moon years the hogs definitely moved later in the evening and the morning hunts were less productive. However if it is colder at night that will help you. But if the food is scarce then it probably won't affect much.