non full moon phase hunting/calling question

[Mike_Parson]

I have been looking at the moon phase calandar for the first 2 weeks of September. It is looking like the moon will be coming off the full moon and be in the smaller crecent phase during most of my hunt. How will this most likely affect the Elk and the rut? Not sure if my hunting in NM will be differen t from anywhere else. can anyone help me maybe figure this out. i was wanting to maybe do some night calling but im not sure it will be effective now that the moon wont be near the full moon phase.

[ElkNut1]

Mike, "Night Calling" is done anytime during Sept. A full moon or not or any phase of it has no bearing on elk responding to ones locator bugles. Closer to rutting times & the more responses one can receive. When calling at night or an hour before legal light cover as much ground as you can in an effort to locate big or small groups. Remember this, the Rut trumps a Full Moon any day! The two together is awesome times!

ElkNut1

[Mike_Parson]

Mike, "Night Calling" is done anytime during Sept. A full moon or not or any phase of it has no bearing on elk responding to ones locator bugles. Closer to rutting times & the more responses one can receive. When calling at night or an hour before legal light cover as much ground as you can in an effort to locate big or small groups. Remember this, the Rut trumps a Full Moon any day! The two together is awesome times!

ElkNut1

So the elk will still be up feeding at night even tho its not going to be very light outside by the moon?

[Swede]

Mike, the elk feed at night when it is a new moon or if it is dark due to clouds. They don't go hungry. I wish we could post a big sign up somewhere and say "forget the moon phase and just go hunting". I hear people planning their hunts and worrying over the moon phase. The moon may be something for lovers to fuss over, but not elk hunters. I have kept records and have killed elk at all phases. The rut and calling comes the same time every year, regardless of the moon.

[Pop-r]

The rut will actually vary & will not come at the same time every year. Not as far as the calender matches anyway. Not stepping on your toes Swede just clarifying not to think it hits on an exact date every year or even an exact few days. Lots of variables out of our control!

[ishy]

Elk Ecology and Management did a big study on it and they said pretty regular. I've read it a few times and can't remember exact dates, but pretty close they said that about sept 18-24 with a 10 day window on either side was when most actual breeding (about 85%) takes place each year. Now some younger cows will come into heat earlier, and if cows aren't bred the come into season again in three weeks after their first heat. On top of that younger bulls will be pushing the action before any cows are ready so it can look/sound like it's full on but it's mostly smoke.