Early season elk hunt dates vs full moon

[BRDNG154]

What are your thoughts on Elk hunting Sept 2-12 this year in relation to full moon on 9/18?

 

[sf jakey]

Moon doesn’t matter elk hunting the rut and pre rut

 

[Jason Snyder]

Moon doesn’t matter elk hunting the rut and pre rut

This. Weather/daytime temps will dictate the amount of daytime rut activity much more than the moon will.

 

[Augie]

I haven't found full moons to be very helpful during the elk rut personally. As stated already the weather will be the biggest factor. Also remember that a lot of people plan their trips around the full moons, so if you want even more competition go during a full moon.

 

[teamwhitebelly]

Its alot easier hunting them at night under full moon!! jk

 

[Dos Perros]

This. Weather/daytime temps will dictate the amount of daytime rut activity much more than the moon will.

This makes sense, but I have witnessed full on meatballs first few days of September with temps into the 80's. I think the random variation is too wide to really try to use the trends predictively. I also agree the moon doesn't matter.

 

[Jason Snyder]

This makes sense, but I have witnessed full on meatballs first few days of September with temps into the 80's. I think the random variation is too wide to really try to use the trends predictively. I also agree the moon doesn't matter.

Agreed on all of it. I’ve found your window of rut activity tends to be narrower in the morning and evening when it’s persistently hot and dry.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I don't put much credence on moon phases affecting elk activity. I've seen elk rutting from first week to end of Sept.. Warm weather seems to affect elk activity more than anything else. It's in their DNA.

 

[Deadfall]

Best time to hunt is any chance you get! Early, late, don't matter

 

[Maverick1]

Ignore the moon, just hunt.

 

[wweaver]

The archery bull hunt drew in Nevada this year starts on Sept 17th. Almost a full moon, but who cares get out there when you can as long as you can. As others have said a light rain shower I have found gets them going more than anything if it has been dry for a few days.

 

[flatelk]

I love hunting in the full moon . I can find elk early and move in on them. And be on top of them at leagle shooting hours. Elk rut the same time every year. A full moon means nothing.

 

[jonlarkin]

I have had bad luck with full moons when we miss the ruff, last year they rutted 2 weeks before we were there and then had a few full moons and it was dead.


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[SmellinElkyFresh]

Hunted the rut during a full moon and it didn’t seem to affect them at all. Got into plenty of elk.

 

[Mike76]

The Idea that elk Rutt at this same time every year is ridiculous. Weather has a lot to do with it. cooler than the norm, wet drives those bull. The scent of a cows coming into estrus stands out much greater when it's cooler & wetter. She does not come in every year at the exact time. Thats why you catch an old bull wondering early looking for that earlier estrus which drives him into the Rutt. which in turn will turn other Bulls on. I have seen Bulls going crazy the first part of the first season and again not until very late in the 2nd season. Go figure! Only my opinion. I have been chasing these bulls for well over 35+yrs.
Good Luck to All in This 24 Season>

 

[Mykolaivka887]

The Idea that elk Rutt at this same time every year is ridiculous.

Someone needs to read some literature pertaining to Cervids ......

 

[bucksnbirds]

Any animal that ruts due to photoperiod will rut at the same time every year. The weather will affect how much Rut activity happens during daylight hours.

 

[Marble]

Hunted the rut during a full moon and it didn’t seem to affect them at all. Got into plenty of elk.

My experience also. Bulls are more concerned with the ladies....

I've noticed weather changes during the rut to have the most effect on elk.

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[5MilesBack]

Historically, my best archery elk hunting has been during hot dry spells. During the full moon, morning hunts don't change much. But evening action pretty much disappears until after 10pm from my experience.....sometimes even later than that before you hear a peep out of them.

 

[Coveyleader]

One year I took my brother and friend on a rifle hunt, sunny, pretty nippy throughout the day, but still early season. The kind of day you had to sleep on the sun side of the hill or it was cold. It as a full moon, and never have I seen so much daytime activity. Hard to say if it was the cool weather, or the moon, but it was lights out. We shot two six points that trip, and one cow. The elk were up on their feet all day.


During the archery seasons, I like "normal" days. There is nothing worse than a week full of fronts. The moon, I'd prefer it dark, but it doesn't matter, I'm going. Hunting pressure has way more effect on elk than the moon.