Deer & Deer Hunting magazine was born in 1977, a by-product of the Stump Sitters Whitetail Study Group. It was founded by Jack Brauer and Al Hofacker, two ultra-serious whitetail hunters from the Upper Midwest. The magazine built its reputation on editorial quality and integrity. - See more at: http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/aboutus#sthash.fukTnX3F.dpuf
In general terms this year the "Rutting Moon" which is the second full moon after the autumn equinox lands on November 6th this year. Best overall time to be in the woods would be November 9th to November 19th. Best five days would be Sunday November 9th through Thursday November 13th.
Obviously severe high winds, torrential rain and down pours, an unexpected blinding snow storm and other weather patterns could affect the deer activity level negatively on those predicted chosen days.
This is not an exact science however each year of observation, calculations and reams of data brings it closer to being right most of the time. One thing I learned this year after reading my last issue of "Deer and Deer Hunting" is that the rut is not a short term affair. It can and does last up to 30 days especially when the rutting moon occurs between Oct 25th and November 14th. This year as mentioned it occurs on November 6th. It is believed by the experts that there will be a LOT of buck sightings for 2 or 3 days prior to the rutting moon (I.E. November 3rd, 4th and 5th).
OKAY, what exactly is the Autumn Equinox?
http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox
EXCERPT:
It is the summer's great last heat,
It is the fall's first chill: They meet.
–Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt
It is the fall's first chill: They meet.
–Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt
The Autumnal Equinox
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for "equal night." The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the Sun crosses the celestial equator.
From here on out, the temperatures begin to drop and the days start to get shorter than the nights (i.e., hours of daylight decline).
Questions and Answers About Fall
Question: Why aren't there exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness on the fall equinox?
Answer: On the equinoxes, the very center of the Sun sets just 12 hours after it rises. But the day begins when the upper edge of the Sun reaches the horizon (which happens a bit before the center rises), and it doesn't end until the entire Sun has set. Not only that, but the Sun is actually visible when it is below the horizon, as Earth's atmosphere refracts the Sun's rays and bends them in an arc over the horizon. According to our former astronomer, George Greenstein, "If the Sun were to shrink to a starlike point and we lived in a world without air, the spring and fall equinoxes would truly have 'equal nights.'"
I find all this research interesting and try to apply as much of it as work, family, weather and other situations allow.
For the hunting season 2014-2015 dates are as follows:
Bow season ( Northern zone - 9/27 to 10/24 and Southern Zone 10/1 to Nov 14th)
Crossbow Season ( Northern zone Oct 15 to Oct 24th and Southern zone 11/1 to 11/14)
Regular season (Northern zone 10/25 to 12/7 and Southern zone 11/15 to 12/7)
Late Bow season (Northern zone 12/8 to 12/14 and Southern zone 12/8 to 12/6)
Muzzle loading Southern zone deer of either sex (12/8 to 12/16) SEE color coded map with special dates for Northern zone
Opening day of gun in the southern zone will find me in the woods with my Marlin Model 1895 45-70 loaded up with Hornady 325 grain Lever Evolution ammo sighted about 1.5 inches high and dead center at 100 yards. I hope to connect on one of those rutting bucks this fall.
May the buck of your dreams end up in your scope's reticle or perhaps in the sight pin of your bow sight this fall.
Dan
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