can someone explain the best time to hunt the rut .Is it after the full moon.Or during the full moon.I have heard some talk of this as far as timing goes but never had the time to hunt alot.so I just hunted when ever.I now have too much time.so I wanted to learn about this theroy so I can be effective.however one thing I do know is you cant killem on the couch.
I've read about how the position of the moon is more important. If the moon is overhead or under foot the activity increases. And if that time is during shooting hours, that's when you should be out. You can google a chart that tells you the moon position for your zip code.
Some think the overhead moon is better than the underfoot moon.
[however one thing I do know is you cant killem on the couch. [/QB][/QUOTE]
During the rut, any time of day is a good time to be in the woods. I prefer the early rut "seeking" phase to the chasing phase as the bucks are moving slower and more likely to stop once in a while. The chase is fun to watch, but not as easy to get a shot. Take some lunch, set up in a funnel near a bedding area, keep you eyes and ears open and your bow in your hand.
Take a look at this:
http://texastourism.com/visitorinfo/MoonClock.asp
Go to dailymoonposition.com and copy the position charts for your area. They include the major and minor periods for animal activity with best times to be in the field.
New Moon, during the Rut.
I use this app called hunt cast on my phone. It is based on lunar phase. Bit expensive at $5.00. I have used lunar calculators in the past and this one works as well as the others. I throw it into the mix when planning hunt times.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/full.jpg)
Thanks Les.....I'll download that right now....
:thumbsup: