Moon Phases & Hunting Times
The moon has always been a focus of human study and research; it seems like every basic human activity has been somehow linked to ever-changing phases of the moon: the menstruation cycle, fishing, farming and hunting. According to some experts like Dr. James C. Kroll, from the School of Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University: "The moon is a significant factor in hunting, almost as much as the weather." Hunters claim to be able to locate game and predict hunting success on the phase of the moon and time of the day.
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Moon Phases
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A full moon occurs when the moon is aligned between the sun and the Earth. The phases of the moon--full moon, new moon, gibbous moon, half moon and crescent moon--are created by the relative angle between the moon, the Earth and the sun. For instance, the new moon, when the moon is completely black, occurs when the moon is aligned between the sun and the Earth and the lit-up side of the moon is not visible from the Earth. On the other hand, a full moon occurs when the Earth is aligned between the sun and the moon, and the lit-up side of the moon is visible from the Earth.
Animals and the Moon
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Wild animals increase their activity as dusk falls because they feel safer under the cover of darkness. Some hunters have also observed that animals increase their activity during the full moon and claim that hunting according to the phase of the moon increases the chances of success. However, there is a lot of controversy on how and to what extent the moon phases affect animal behavior, and scholarly literature is scarce on this subject.
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Theories/Speculation
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Wild animals, like deer, are reported to model their cycles around the moon. For instance, female deer's reproductive cycle is influenced by the phases of the moon and peaks three or four days after the second full moon from the autumnal equinox (around the 21st or 22nd of September). This full moon is often called "hunter's moon." While the does are in heat, the bucks also increase their activity, trying to attract the does' attention. Some hunters claim that If you know the locations where these mating rituals occur and are aware of the moon phase, you can be at right time and the right spot to hunt them.
Moon Phase and Best Time Calculators
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Hunters use moon phase charts to estimate the days and nights that are best for hunting. If you are interested in using these calculators, you can find them on various websites. For example, Phil Whittemore's BlueWaterBigGame.com has a variety of moon charts that can be fine-tuned to where in the world you are hunting.
Hunting, the Moon and Mythology
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An interesting link between the moon, hunting and mythology is that of Diana, the Roman goddess of the woodlands, wild animals and of hunting. She was represented by the moon and was also the goddess of childbirth, nursing and healing. It is clear that linking the moon with animal (and human) activity is nothing new.
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References
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- Photo Credit deer image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com moon image by Stefan Häuselmann from Fotolia.com
