Moon Myths vs Deer Reality? What the Science Says

Written by: Pierce Young

For decades, hunters have whispered about the moon’s mysterious powers: full moons bring deer out of hiding, new moons mean bucks stay put, and “solunar windows” can supposedly make or break a hunt. But is the moon really driving deer movement? Let’s see what the science says — including the latest research from the Mississippi State University Deer Lab.

The Big Study from Mississippi State

The MSU Deer Lab tracked 48 GPS-collared bucks in Mississippi for two years, checking their locations every 15 minutes. That’s a lot of data! They wanted to see if deer really act differently under full moons, new moons, or when the moon is overhead or underfoot.

Here’s what they found:

Moon phases didn't matter. Bucks didn’t move more during full moons or less during new moons.
Moon position isn’t a game-changer. The so-called “solunar windows” (when the moon is overhead or rising/setting) didn’t reliably predict deer activity.
Other things matter way more. Bucks respond strongly to rut timing, time of day, weather, and hunting pressure — not the moon.

In short: the moon is not a secret trigger for deer movement.

Other Research Agrees

MSU’s work isn’t alone. Studies from across the country have looked at GPS-collared bucks and does, hunter observations, and even deer-vehicle collisions:

SEAFWA study: Deer showed movement during “major” solunar windows were not enough to plan hunts around.
Penn State: Female deer movement in meters more per hour during new moons compared to full moons were basically not different.
Texas & North Carolina studies: Deer stick to their natural schedule: dawn and dusk are their most active times, regardless of the moon.
Long-term hunter surveys: Temperature, weather fronts, and the rut strongly influenced movement — the moon, did not.

The effect of the moon does not change movements more than everything else going on.

Why We Still Believe in Moon Magic

Many hunters swear by moon calendars — but science shows this is mostly tradition, not fact.

In Mississippi, 83% of hunters believed the moon strongly affects deer behavior.
Memories of “perfect moon hunts” stick, even if they were coincidence.

The reality? Deer follow their stomachs, their instincts, and their environment — not the lunar calendar.

What This Means for Hunters & Landowners

Forget moon phase calendars — here’s what really works:

Focus on time of day: Early morning and late afternoon are prime deer times.
Pay attention to the rut: Bucks roam more during the pre-rut when a few does are starting to come in heat — much more than any moonlight effect.
Watch the weather: Cold fronts and wind direction can drastically change movement.
Provide food and cover: For landowners, healthy habitat beats moon magic every time.

So, if you’ve been planning hunts around the full moon, don’t worry. Just stick to proven deer behavior patterns — your chances are better than chasing moon myths.

The Bottom Line

Deer are creatures of instinct, not astrology. The MSU Deer Lab and other studies show the moon might have a tiny influence, but it’s nowhere near as important as the rut, the weather, and daily routines. Moon lore makes for good stories and beautiful nights in the woods, but don’t rely on it to fill your tag.

Read the full MSU Deer Lab Report: LINK

You can listen to more details about these studies at:

Meateater Podcast: Does the Moon Impact Deer Behavior?

Deer University Podcast: Lunar Fables: Does Moon Affect Buck Activity?

For more information on wildlife management visit