The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 783: Does the Moon Impact Deer Behavior?
Oct 27, 2025
Dr. Bronson Strickland, an Extension Wildlife Specialist at Mississippi State University, joins the discussion to unravel the moon's influence on deer behavior. He shares insights from research showing that factors like the rut and sunlight far outweigh lunar phases in driving deer movement. The conversation reveals how belief and bias influence hunters’ perceptions of lunar effects, debunking myths like the infamous 'October lull.' Bronson also discusses the implications of chronic wasting disease on management and offers practical hunting advice based on his findings.
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Use Moon Beliefs As A Confidence Tool
- If moon rituals boost your confidence and focus, keep using them as a personal strategy.
- But recognize the placebo effect may explain perceived gains and not biological changes in deer.
Moon Effects On Deer Lack Support
- Many species tune behavior to lunar cues, but evidence for white-tailed deer responding to moon phase is weak.
- Bronson Strickland finds no clear biological reason evolution would fold moon phase into deer timing.
Population Averages Can Mask Individual Behavior
- Population-level movement averages can hide individual behavioral variation among bucks.
- Strickland's preliminary plots showed no consistent movement oscillation aligned with moon phase.
