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Post by Burt on Oct 2, 2008 14:00:57 GMT -5
Gang,
A lot has been said about moon phase and how it effects the rut. I read an article that stated the rut will happen usually 7 days after the next full moon following the Autumnal equinox which was Sept 22. So where does that put us?? October 14th is the next full moon so does that mean we are looking at a rut happening around October 25th? I read that it would be an early rut this year. Would love to hear from someone who knows more about the timing of this event.
Thanks,
Burt
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Post by Contender375 on Oct 2, 2008 17:24:40 GMT -5
I dont go by the moon too much but have found that rutting activity will drastically increase on Halloween. Daytime chasing always seems to start on that day in my area and continues until gun season when most activity goes on at night. Dont know what the moon phase is on halloween, but I will be in the tree that entire day and as much as possible until Nov 15 when gun season begins.
I always stay away from my rut stands until Halloween and so far it has worked out pretty good. With only 4 weekends (28 days) to bow hunt this year, it is going to be a hunt whenever you can type year. Come to think of it, that's what I do every year.
Good luck..
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Post by Burt on Oct 2, 2008 18:09:19 GMT -5
Contender375,
Moon phase on Halloween should be new moon, which really is no moon. This should be real good for us hunters. I also have found that around the 31st rutting activity really picks up-thanks for the info and good luck to you too!
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Post by BuckShotJon1 on Oct 15, 2008 7:43:39 GMT -5
Charlie Alsheimer, the authority on whitetail movement by the moon puts the main chasing activity this year at Nov 8. With that said the 10 days before and 10 days after should be filled with activity.
Jon
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Post by huntingfreak on Oct 15, 2008 12:22:20 GMT -5
Well my experience says that the best rut activity is the first week in Nov. from around the 3rd to the 8th but this year with all the early action Ive seen so far says it may be a bit earlier. I don't know why but I'm gonna be hunting hard the last week of Oct. but thats just my opinion
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Post by Burt on Oct 15, 2008 12:42:12 GMT -5
I'm with you Hunting freak! The article I mention was in NY Outdoor news and he said the rut should happen last week of October. I took vacation time right around Halloween. Hope were right, anyway it will be great to get in the woods. This weekend-temps are going to cool off in the evening by me in the upper 20's Sat evening, should get them moving!!!!!!!
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Post by BuckShotJon1 on Oct 15, 2008 14:58:36 GMT -5
Last night after I got inside I looked at my Charlie Alsheimer book and he has the peak chasing date (what people call "The Runt" but differant than the actual rut) at Nov 8. The Chase phase is what people / us hunters are really interested in, this is the crazy period of hunting.
I intially thought he was off. Because last year was the odd cycle year (if you read his work based on lunar movement and 30 plus years of research on captive deer and wild deer) there is a odd year cycle. Last years date of peak chasing was Oct 25.
So anyway I thought he may be off but really what I think we are seeing is some pre activity, it is known to heat up for a couple days and then dwindle away really quick until it picks back up to the peak chasing phase. I think by the time bow opens it could be dry again. With that said if you take his theory on moon/kunar activity which I 100% believe in, the key date will be Nov 8. Activity should start to really increase from 10 days before at Oct 30 , peak somewhere right around Nov 8 and continue to go until Nov 18.
I went back and looked and sure enough last year I shot my buck that was in complete chase mode right in the window. Many of my past deer I have shot fit right into the peak chase phase from the moon / lunar activity.
Something is to be said for sure of the moon and lunar activity, It is clear in fishing tables to really present the best fishing times of the day. It has a serious pull, just visit a ocean tide and you will see, its incredible....Best bet as always is to rely as with anything else on God. God wants it to happen and it will. My best hunts that I have had in the last coupel years have come from a direct result of praying and what God has blessed with. Like God is a great mystery, so to is the lunar movements he has created.
Jon
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Post by Burt on Oct 15, 2008 21:21:57 GMT -5
Good logic, but a 20 day window I think can be narrowed down??? I could be totally wrong, My thinking would be more like 7 days. Any thoughts out there? I also have read that a matiure buck will only breed 1 or 2 does in that period. If a buck was to lock on a hot doe and hang with her for, five days that could be 1/4 of the breeding time. Maybe we have to define the "rut" is it seeking and breeding or just breeding?  |
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Post by joel on Oct 15, 2008 22:06:30 GMT -5
its the second full moon after the autum equinox so that puts it in november
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Post by BuckShotJon1 on Oct 16, 2008 7:48:48 GMT -5
Joel, you put in the most important part of the whole thing that I forgot to list.... "its the second full moon after the autum equinox so that puts it in november"
You are indeed correct, this is why it is so easy to predict each year. Except for the way the cycle gets off every 7th or 8th year which was last year.
Burt, the 10 days before and the 10 days after is going to run on a curve with the estimated best date at Nov 8. You could figure on the curve it will be within a couple days each way.
I typically for whatever reason usually see 1 to 2 days toal that are just crazy during bow. This year I will have a bunch more time off so I am super looking forward to this season.
Jon
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Post by BuckShotJon1 on Oct 16, 2008 8:06:08 GMT -5
Burt I also saw you asked this "Maybe we have to define the "rut"
is it seeking and breeding or just breeding? "Highly suggest you read a book from Charlie Alsheimer for about $20 bucks. He is the authority on deer hunting. Charlie has a captive herd of deer (not hunted) in Bath, NY that he has done years of study and pattern history with on the moon/lunar actvity. He is also a accomplished photographer and has seen in action many deer and he is also a very well accomplished hunter taking many, many large free ranging bucks. He has a website that has free info on it as well. He cleary defines the various stages that a buck goes through diuring our season..... Long story short we as hunters and to answer your question want to hunt the "Chase" Phase. The Actual "Rut" stage is not what we want to hunt as it is the breeding stage as you indicate above. Do a search on Charlie or a search on the net under "Chase Phase" Jon |
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Post by Burt on Oct 16, 2008 8:54:00 GMT -5
Thanks Jon will do, great info!!!!
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Post by joel on Oct 17, 2008 20:53:07 GMT -5
well according to charlie A we are in pre rut right now key in on food sources like mast crops hard and soft.the seeking phase hasnt started yet
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Post by huntingfreak on Oct 23, 2008 0:03:23 GMT -5
I don't know what Charlie says I haven't read his book but I just got home from a little spot lighting that turned out to be a long spot lighting trip. I saw a TON of deer the part that turned into a long trip was I sat on the side of the road for at least 45 min watching a gorgeous big 10pt.He was 15 yards off the road I'd say he was 4 1/2 year old. Usually when they get that big they run when light hits them with in a minute or two but like I said I watched him for a long time trying several time to mount the doe he was with.When attempt 1 failed he turned around and gored the fawn. The fawn took off. Momma started to squat and pee and the buck ran straight to her. He didn't give two $nits that I was right there. So I'm sticking to my thought of it coming early. Oh ya and my boss shot a 7pt Sat morning that was running a doe. That buck was nosing her so hard he was picking her up off her back legs.
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Post by Burt on Oct 23, 2008 3:57:18 GMT -5
Huntingfreak,
Last weekend I had a shooter dogging a doe grunting so loud it was crazy! this was first weekend! I believe with the cold weather coming in this week and the full moon just ending
they are going to be really turned on this weekend right into Halloween. That must of been awesome seeing that 10 pt do his thing and yes they won't give a nuts about anything around them, my friend was coming back from cutting a field on his tractor and turned a corner around some brush and there was a giant mounting a doe, he said he was about 20' from them shut off the tractor and watched the show for 10 minutes until they moved on! With this all being said we know that some does do come in early and some late so that also factors in.
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