We have a early full moon this year on the 9th I believe it is. I have hunted the rut in many different states and I fully believe the full moon is one of the triggers for the rut. I have seen it to many times to believe anything any different. This is my personal experience and based solely off that. I also have trail cameras that stamp moon phase on the pics I always notice more buck movement the week prior to the full moon and during. With the full moon being on the 9th the week before and the two weeks after will be some prime hunting in my opinion if the weather will cooperate.
With the full moon on the 9th the woods should be showing signs of the rut as the bucks are getting ready to begin the seeking phase of the rut.
Best post I've seen. Agreed 100%
It is proven the amount of light depicts the does estrus cycle. I've seen a few does come in and killed a decent 9 chasing on the first full moon of the season... bow season that is. I heard grunting... Figured it was a doe calling her yearling back and thought to myself, sure wish it was the rut. All the sudden a doe ran by and the grunting kept on coming. I smoked him at 12 steps and he was rutted up bad. Only thing I can figure is the doe had some of that michigan still in her and popped on the Oct. Full moon, think it was 31st that year.
This year the rut has been screwy. Def. noticed good sign early, but one day I see bucks chasing does everywhere, then the next day nothing. I'll have a lone doe run by being chased wide open, then a doe and 2 yearlings like nothing is happening, then a group of 8 or 9 does hearded up like the rut is over. I've just come to the conclusion that some of these does are not coming in period till this next full moon. Usually the Dec. full moon is wide open in Walker/winston/fayette county, but I know there was a second rut last year cause I saw a giant after season chasing and had does that hadnt dropped in July this year... This week is the best wether so Good luck to all of you!!! I hope I kill him in the morning so I can get back to a sane state...
