The Rut: Believe it, or Not?

[Videographer]

How many of you fall into the the theory that the Moon triggers the Rut?

For those of you who aren't familiar with what I am talking about. The Rut kicks off when the 2nd full moon after the fall equinox. (in theory)

Do you think it is myth, or fact?

[Ronny]

I don't believe

[LostHawg]

I believe, I believe, I believe I'll go get me another cup of coffee....

[ldt]

Myth, If that were true the rut would be the exact same time everywhere in North America and we all know that is not true.

[BearOmni]

My dad grew up as a farmer, so I have heard (and believe most of) hundreds of things the moon triggers or controls.

From when to plant which crops, to when to dig post holes. When to get a hair cut, when to dehorn cattle, when to castrate steers, ect.... I have actually seen the difference when the moon was and was not followed on some of these things.

Did you know if you dig a hole when the moon is waxing you will have extra dirt left if you were to fill it back in? Or if you dig it when the moon is waining, you will have room left in the hole for more dirt than you took out.

But, like someone else said, if the moon triggered the rut then everywhere in north america would rut at the same time.

WOW!!! What a can of worms you opened Well I think the moon plays a large role in feeding habits and movement, not so much on the start of the RUT!!! My reasoning is, for example why does the rut always start early in East Texas (where i grew up) every year at the end of archery only season and the begining of rifle season, or where I live now ( post oak savannah) the rut starts on or about the 20th of november without fail!!! Look at South Texas end of December, or West Texas first week of December,ect,ect The does that were breed last year were breed at a certain time of the year, the fawns drop and then the deer come back into heat at almost the same time as last year ( ie biological clock is far better than our moon calculations) Thats not all about 10 years ago the state transplanted a large number of does from south Texas to a few counties around where i live and we had does that were originally there breed around nov 20th and the transplanted does breed late December and continued to do so until there were no more transplanted does still alive or breeding. So I believe they come into heat at a perticular time cause thats what they did the year before!!
Just something to chew on!!!

[bo-n-aro]

I think it is the amount a daylight in a given 24 hours. Usually the this is close to the 2nd full moon after the fall equinox.
Kind-a like lay-un hens. You can trick them to lay twice a day by blacking out the hen house during the day and have two nights within 24 hours.
Lots of folks thinks it takes a cold front to tricker it but i think the cooler it is the longer they can run, so you might see more activity after a cold front.
I still feel very strongly that the best time to hunt is when you can...

The rut is controlled by the amount of or in this case the lack of sunlight, I do believe however that the moon may trigger more activity. the rut in Texas is so skewed. We all know that a buck is capable of breeding as long as he is in hard antler., saying that I think some does are bred as early as September and as late as the last part of December. I saw several fawns that were still carrying spots well into early November this season. But the moon doesn't start the rut. IMO