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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Kenneth on November 07, 2010, 11:07:00 AM
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Well I got to go to WV and hunt my families land a couple weeks ago and it was a full moon and I was only able to hunt 2 days because of my school schedule and taking care of the kids. So I spent most of those 2 days scouting for Thanksgiving break. I did manage to see a nice 350lb to 375lb black bear boar but never got a shot at him. Well just looked at the moon phases and Thanksgiving week is going to be a full moon also. I'm still very thankful to be able to hunt at all but I've never had much luck with a full moon especially when there's so much mast in the woods; the deer just don't have to move much. I'm looking forward to the break from school and the opportunity to get in the woods, but I really wish the week would have fallen on a new moon.
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I got my best buck ever 2 days before thanksgiving with a full moon.
doug77
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Doug, thanks for the encouragement, I sure hope I have similar luck this year.
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Kenneth, you might try hunting through the midday hours when the moon is full. I believe there's more activity in the middle of the day when the nights are bright.
When I lived in South Carolina it was legal to "shine" deer at night up until 10 PM if there was nothing to shoot them with in the vehicle. It was routine when at hunting camp for us to go out looking. On bright moonlit nights we saw very few deer, but on dark nights they were much more visible, sometimes by a factor of 10. It was truly remarkable how much difference it made.
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A bad season can turn into a good season in an instant -- you just have to have a good deer or bear show up in range and it will turn a bad season into your best season ever. The only way things can turn good for you is if you are in the woods and ready. Think positive thoughts, watch the wind direction, and get out there.
And have fun.
The advice about hunting mid-day is pretty good, too.
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I've always been a believer in the moon phase / deer movement thing, but a couple years ago the PA Game Commission and Penn State University did a study looking at the movements of radio tagged deer. The found no difference in the amount of movement in relation to moon phases. So who knows.
If that's the only time you have to hunt, go for it.
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Deer are where you find them. Can't get them watching TV. Go get them.Never think its going to be a bad day.The day is what you make it.
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I plan on being out there all day every day while I'm there since I have always done that regardless of weather or moon phase. Most of the deer I've killed have been between 10am and 2pm so I believe every legal minute of shooting light is the best time to be in the woods. I was a little disappointed thinking about it before and not really getting to scout the area, but even though I haven't really hunted there in a few years; I grew up hunting there and know every square inch of the land. It was logged hard (almost clear cut) a 2 years ago and it really threw me off when I went in there in Oct. What little scouting I was able to do though after looking at my notes it seems I could use the same strategies and spots I used growing up since all of the best sign was in the same places it has been in years past with the exception of one area that the loggers decimated. I was feeling kinda down but after being on here and looking at some of my notes I might just put together a game plan that'll give me a shot at the super bowl!
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Hang in there man. Last year was by far the worst hunting season since I started. This year has been the best by a long shot. Keep at it!
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If you are going to be there Thanksgiving week that is West Virginias gun season. You should have no problem with deer moving all day long with the amount of hunters that will be in the woods that week.
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There will be people run deer all over around here the whole week so you shouldnt have much problem seeing deer.
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Good Luck Kenneth!
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Ken just to let you know I shot him around 11:30 AM Keep after them.
doug77
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I took one of my best bucks on a full moon(avatar). I wasn't sure of the shot cause he only went 20 yds into the thick. So I went home,had supper and went back to find him right there. The moon was bright when we went back. Took him just before last shooting lite.
Charlie Lamb and I had this discussion when he was up hunting. We agreed the best time to hunt is when you can! :thumbsup:
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You were wise to spend your available time scouting. The best time to hunt is when you can and you have done your best to prepare. Yes, moon phases, weather, rut phase and others may increase or decrease the chances, however these findings merely affect the average and not nearly all the deer. You are not hunting an average deer. Maintain your confidence; it only takes one and I would suspect that several nice deer will be taken in your area during the same time period.
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Hey Kenneth Sounds like you and I are sharing the same canoe,Can you let me out...LOL
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I feel for you I have spent the last 11 weeks in a nursing home. I get out tommorrow but do not think I will get any time in the woods this year.
MARK :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
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Originally posted by lpcjon2:
Hey Kenneth Sounds like you and I are sharing the same canoe,Can you let me out...LOL
LOL!! I'll let you keep the boat Tim you just drop me off close to a good thick bedding area! ;)
Well, I don't have any stands hung but I've got 2 key areas I'm gonna hunt that have always been good to me in the past especially when others are leaving the woods for lunch. I just gotta may sure I get in there real early and stay put.
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Kenneth,Think of it this way,your out in the woods,Gods country for sure.Enjoying all the sights,sounds and smells the woods have to offer.You've got complete solitude and the built in exitement knowing things could change.No phones ringing or people hastling you.To me it doesn't get much better.Enjoy the total experience,and forget about putting to much preasure on yourself.Enjoy it all my friend.
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Hunt all day you never know when mister big will be on the move this time of year, I have seen some of the best bucks around noon when there is a full moon.
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Originally posted by Don Stokes:
Kenneth, you might try hunting through the midday hours when the moon is full. I believe there's more activity in the middle of the day when the nights are bright.
I totally agree with this. I have seen a lot of Deer between 11am and 2pm on a full moon especially when on public land with other hunters going home late in the morning for lunch. They'll kick the dear up when they are walking out, talking, slamming their doors and driving out. Deer will get up and move around some about every 6 hours anyway according to wildlife biologists reports that I have read. I like to start hunting at 10am on a full moon.
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There is certainly merit to the moon theories, but don't let that discourage you. That moon business doesn't rule the world or the deer either so get out and hunt when you can and forget about all of that. None of us would hunt if we worried about that.
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Deer have to feed at regular intervals as well as bed down to chew their cud. No matter what moon phase it is, this basic biological need is the same. Only difference is that they will adjust their routine around the full moon, and I don't care what studies have shown on deer with collars. The full moon as well as the dark of the moon does definitely effect when deer movement peaks.
I've read a number of articles on the subject and those questions were asked to the guys who hunt for a living making videos and many agreed that they hunt the mornings leading up to a full moon....mid day during a full moon....and evenings after a full moon.
Although this time of year and the concurrence with your rifle season I would say that you should plan on all day sits. The buck of your dreams could pop over the ridge at any time and you have just got to be there......just don't be dreaming about him when he decides to move your direction or the snoring may run him to the next county. :)