Do moon phases matter when pig hunting?

[CJW]

Boys,

I live in Georgia but hunt and fish quite a bit in Texas.

What I would like to do is stack the odds in my favor when I travel to your state to hunt.

What do you think.....are any of the moon phases any better or worse than the others?

One thing I have noticed is I have a very high success rate when it is raining....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Chuck

[FLshooter]

Here in Florida I see no difference in the weather or anything .I shoot out to Buddy’s land where hogs are are pests. We usually went early morning before work . I was able to get one or two every time .
Will start going again soon as the weather is cooling down . I don’t like sweating on my rifle . But this time I’m going to use my 6.5 Grendel with my new 22 inch criterion barrel .Thinking about hand loading some 90 grain Speer TNT.Because my 125 gr Speer TNT in my 300 BO did a great job.

[CJW]

Thanks FLshooter for your views.

It’s a little labor intensive for us to go to Texas with air fares, car rental etc.


Just trying to stack the odds in our favor.

[Sinclair]

Statistics can be influenced by the person collecting the data; that said, it has been shown that moon phases do affect both human and animal behavior. One would expect that weather would also be a factor.

[Double Naught Spy]

When folks talk about moon phase, are they talking about hunting during the day, the night, or mornings/evenings? Funny how that information is often left out of consideration. In my experience, hogs are either bedded down, eating, in transit, or having sex. If they find a good place to eat, they can be there for hours. The really critical question isn't whether or not the hogs are "moving" or not, but whether or not that you, as a hunter, are where the hogs are going to be when the hogs are going to be there. I think too many people expect the hogs to be where the they are and that is sort of backwards thinking.

Let me explain it another way. We set up guys on opposite sides of a field with a low rise in the middle. The north side was about 300 acres and the south side was about 400 acres. The guy on the north side had 3 opportunities to shoot at hogs during the course of the night. The guy on the south side only saw some jackrabbits and deer. Depending on who you talked with, either the hog hunting on that property was great, or it was terrible. Who was right? Well, one guy was where the hogs were and the other guy, only a few hundred yards away, was where the hogs weren't. They had the same moon, same weather, same forage (field planted in winter wheat), same wind (both were on the west side), and yet and totally different results.

CJW, you mentioned you had your best success when it is raining. That has not been my experience and based on what I see on my game cameras, hogs are not out feeding much during heavy rains. However, I have seen on several occasions when hogs came out to feed right after the rain stopped. Light rains are not a big issue, either, as near as I can tell.

Probably the worst hunting I see, weatherwise, is when the winds are in excess of about 20 mph. I have had some great hunts in high wind conditions, but far fewer opportunities when the winds get high. One of my favorite contrary examples was a hunt where the winds were 30-40 mph and were so loud that I could not hear my buddy talking me unless he put his mouth next to my ear to speak. When it came time for the count down to shoot, he was basically shouting so that I could hear him. The great thing about high winds is that if you approach from down wind, your smell definitely isn't an issue and your noise signature isn't an issue or as much of an issue either.

Solunar tables, in my estimation, are a total joke in regard to hog hunting. They were created based on fish behavior and are valid for fishing. People use them and claim that they work for deer, hogs, geese, ducks, etc., but I also claim that my lucky underwear works for me. I have had very good success with my lucky underwear, but in reality, I don't think the pattern I charted truly had anything to do with my delicates. It was a false correlation. To date, I know of NO studies that actually document what hogs are doing relative to solunar table predictions, or moon phases. Anybody's claims for these are essentially non-falsifiable.

Some of the claims I have heard over the years seem totally meaningless to me. Most pertain to when hogs are "moving." I am not sure what "moving" means other than they are not bedded down somewhere. I have heard...
Hogs move before a storm/storm front/cold front (gotta eat now before the bad storm arrives)
Hogs move after a storm/storm front/cold front (survived the storm and gotta eat what I can)
Hogs move more during a full moon (day, night, morning/evening not specified) (because they can see threats better they feel safer)
Hogs move more during no moon (day, night, morning/evening not specified) (because without a moon, they feel safer because other animals can't see them as well)
Hogs are more active in the morning or evening (probably a true statement for somebody that hunts only during daylight hours for hogs not regularly pressured)

CJW, what you probably most need to be concerned with, in my estimation, are what foods are available to the hogs where you will be hunting and if they have been under much pressure or not. Typically, the more pressured hogs are, the more likely they are to not come out from the cover of woods/brush during daylight hours and/or may move from to areas where they are less threatened if they can. Hogs seem to actually spend a lot of time NOT bedded down, but when they have been hunted a lot, they tend to keep to cover much more during daylight hours.

I was out hunting tonight. It is just after 3:00 am that I am writing this. I saw hogs on several properties, but none on my properties. I have put enough pressure on the hogs on my properties that my landowners are happy, but I am not. The hogs spend very little time on my properties because the threat level to them is higher (I believe). Right now the winter wheat is just sprouted and is good eating. The deer are there, but not the hogs on my places. Of course, right now the acorns are dropping and hogs love acorns and so they are enjoying a feast in the woods. When the wheat heads out, the acorn supply should be diminished and pressured or not, I expect they will come in for the wheat.

[CJW]

Thanks DNS for taking the time to write a great answer.

I really am learning so much from you.

[keystone183]

I will certainly defer to DNS on all matter porcine!! But in my experiences with other game, I find solunar tables to be a useful tool. I have no scientific evidence to back that, mind you, so take it for what its worth.

My reasoning for valuing them came when we were monitoring deer in a large trap. 40 acres or so. In monitoring game cameras at the feeders, there was definitely a correlation between when the deer were feeding and the solunar times. And i even noticed a correlation (weaker but there) to the 'activity level' meter. Mind you, i don't think animals check the solunars too, so they don't ALWAYS work. But, i find them to at least be another tool in the box.

[oyster]

One thing to take into account is moon phase. During full to near full moon at night it might be a little harder to get as close to a hog as a dark night. I personally like the darker phase's but that's me not the pigs. Also it seems where I hunt after being shot at a few times the hogs wait later to come out in the open. Some fields you won't see a pig till 0300 or later. Also depends on the type of crop, standing corn seems to have hogs in it all the time. I wouldn't doubt they live there at times, they have food and cover so no need to leave, hunting them on your hands and knees gets tricky though.

[Double Naught Spy]

During full to near full moon at night it might be a little harder to get as close to a hog as a dark night.

Yes. And contrary to popular belief, hogs really do have decent vision and actually have much better night vision than humans have. When making an approach on hogs during a bright night, I will use whatever vegetation I can for concealment and try to stay in the shadows as much as possible. I know that if I can see the hogs out in the open, then if I am out in the open, they can see me.

Some people like to hunt in the bright moon because it offers them some additional ability to negotiate obstacles better than on moonless nights. There is some validity to that. Most of the spills that I take while crossing fields are during darker nights.

[A5BLASTER]

When folks talk about moon phase, are they talking about hunting during the day, the night, or mornings/evenings? Funny how that information is often left out of consideration. In my experience, hogs are either bedded down, eating, in transit, or having sex. If they find a good place to eat, they can be there for hours. The really critical question isn't whether or not the hogs are "moving" or not, but whether or not that you, as a hunter, are where the hogs are going to be when the hogs are going to be there. I think too many people expect the hogs to be where the they are and that is sort of backwards thinking.

Let me explain it another way. We set up guys on opposite sides of a field with a low rise in the middle. The north side was about 300 acres and the south side was about 400 acres. The guy on the north side had 3 opportunities to shoot at hogs during the course of the night. The guy on the south side only saw some jackrabbits and deer. Depending on who you talked with, either the hog hunting on that property was great, or it was terrible. Who was right? Well, one guy was where the hogs were and the other guy, only a few hundred yards away, was where the hogs weren't. They had the same moon, same weather, same forage (field planted in winter wheat), same wind (both were on the west side), and yet and totally different results.

CJW, you mentioned you had your best success when it is raining. That has not been my experience and based on what I see on my game cameras, hogs are not out feeding much during heavy rains. However, I have seen on several occasions when hogs came out to feed right after the rain stopped. Light rains are not a big issue, either, as near as I can tell.

Probably the worst hunting I see, weatherwise, is when the winds are in excess of about 20 mph. I have had some great hunts in high wind conditions, but far fewer opportunities when the winds get high. One of my favorite contrary examples was a hunt where the winds were 30-40 mph and were so loud that I could not hear my buddy talking me unless he put his mouth next to my ear to speak. When it came time for the count down to shoot, he was basically shouting so that I could hear him. The great thing about high winds is that if you approach from down wind, your smell definitely isn't an issue and your noise signature isn't an issue or as much of an issue either.

Solunar tables, in my estimation, are a total joke in regard to hog hunting. They were created based on fish behavior and are valid for fishing. People use them and claim that they work for deer, hogs, geese, ducks, etc., but I also claim that my lucky underwear works for me. I have had very good success with my lucky underwear, but in reality, I don't think the pattern I charted truly had anything to do with my delicates. It was a false correlation. To date, I know of NO studies that actually document what hogs are doing relative to solunar table predictions, or moon phases. Anybody's claims for these are essentially non-falsifiable.

Some of the claims I have heard over the years seem totally meaningless to me. Most pertain to when hogs are "moving." I am not sure what "moving" means other than they are not bedded down somewhere. I have heard...
Hogs move before a storm/storm front/cold front (gotta eat now before the bad storm arrives)
Hogs move after a storm/storm front/cold front (survived the storm and gotta eat what I can)
Hogs move more during a full moon (day, night, morning/evening not specified) (because they can see threats better they feel safer)
Hogs move more during no moon (day, night, morning/evening not specified) (because without a moon, they feel safer because other animals can't see them as well)
Hogs are more active in the morning or evening (probably a true statement for somebody that hunts only during daylight hours for hogs not regularly pressured)

CJW, what you probably most need to be concerned with, in my estimation, are what foods are available to the hogs where you will be hunting and if they have been under much pressure or not. Typically, the more pressured hogs are, the more likely they are to not come out from the cover of woods/brush during daylight hours and/or may move from to areas where they are less threatened if they can. Hogs seem to actually spend a lot of time NOT bedded down, but when they have been hunted a lot, they tend to keep to cover much more during daylight hours.

I was out hunting tonight. It is just after 3:00 am that I am writing this. I saw hogs on several properties, but none on my properties. I have put enough pressure on the hogs on my properties that my landowners are happy, but I am not. The hogs spend very little time on my properties because the threat level to them is higher (I believe). Right now the winter wheat is just sprouted and is good eating. The deer are there, but not the hogs on my places. Of course, right now the acorns are dropping and hogs love acorns and so they are enjoying a feast in the woods. When the wheat heads out, the acorn supply should be diminished and pressured or not, I expect they will come in for the wheat.

Well written and thought and spot on as always DNS.

To me the moon phase means nothing and has no bearing on animal movement. Animals have to feed and drink and make babies no matter what phase the moon is in.

Weather and food source's effect animal movement and travel directions and distance more then anything.

Believing in a moon phase shift is like believing a mature buck is nockturnal. Simply a folk legend.

[keystone183]

Believing in a moon phase shift is like believing a mature buck is nockturnal. Simply a folk legend.

I wouldn't dismiss the effect of moon phase out of hand. I realize there is little to know research on it regarding land animals, but that in itself isn't a reason to dismiss it. Again, it certainly isn't the end all be all, but i do believe it can play a part. Tool in toolbox.

Study on humans.

[A5BLASTER]

I wouldn't dismiss the effect of moon phase out of hand. I realize there is little to know research on it regarding land animals, but that in itself isn't a reason to dismiss it. Again, it certainly isn't the end all be all, but i do believe it can play a part. Tool in toolbox.

Study on humans.

I have. I have not once in my life ever seen a connection between animal movement and the phase of the moon.

Now I will throw a wrench in this. Moon position related too the overhead or underfoot position times will effect daylight and nighttime peak feeding times but not how far are how fast they will travel. Are long they will be on their feet.

Seen it enough with my own eye's to ignore it.

[CJW]

As with all things in my life, you boys have kept me on the straight and narrow.

My decisions as to when I fly to Texas to hunt will not be based on moon cycles. I am going to make travel plans as I always have .......based on cheap airfares.

Live Big!!!!

Chuck

[Double Naught Spy]

Chuck, not to dissuade your visit to our lovely state, but don't y'all have a pretty good crop of hogs in Georgia? Or is it that there is something you find particularly interesting about Texas? Just curious. Most of the hog tourists I have dealt with come from states that don't hog hunting or don't have much of it.

[CJW]

Good question DNS.....years ago I started hunting and fishing with the Texas Predator Posse......the finest group I have ever been associated with. Bob C, who has BFT?s job and put together some kick ass outings for us. Bob shut down the site and went to Facebook, I don?t do Facebook

As a kid we were stationed at Ft. Hood several times........fell in love with flying and hunting at a very early age there.

Every year I hunt in Africa with the same boys and the same PH. 16 or 18 hour flight, Africa is getting more dangerous every second. The population not the animals. Three years ago we stopped taking our wives, because of the crazies over there.

Three years ago i was diagnosed with cancer, stage 4.........a real pisser.....now I pee through a bag on my side. I am not out of the woods yet , might not ever be.



Doing exactly as I want to do is just my way of saying Fuck Cancer.........


That is why I Live Big everyday.