moon or weather

I am going to SW Iowa next year, trying to figure out which week to go(Bowhunting). I have narrowed it down to the first 3 weeks of Nov.
 
The full moon is on the 2nd.
 
Whats more important the moon or the weather??
The later I go the better chance of not hunting in 70 degrees with deer not moving???
Closer the the 2nd might be closer to the big bucks looking for Does??????????
 
Thanks for your input
 
Paul

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

padeciechi:
 
I may step on a few toes here, but I honestly believe that the moon doesn't have much to do with bowhunting success when the rut in on.  In my honest opinion, I believe the weather plays the biggest role.  If it's too warm the rut will slow down to some degree.  Also, if there are high winds or a lot of rain the rut can seem to virtually stop altogether, plus it's downright miserable to be hunting in those types of conditions.  That's why I believe the weather is more important that the moon phase during the rut. 
 
Additionally, If there's a doe in heat and a buck is nearby that buck is not going to take the time to stop and look up at the moon to see what phase it's in before chasing, tending or breeding the doe.  If the doe is ready I guarantee you that the buck is ready whether the moon is full, first-quarter, last-quarter or new.
 
In November of 2006 (November 5, 2006), I was hunting in Illinois during a full moon week and I had one of the most memorable and exciting days in-the-field as a bowhunter.  I had multiple big bucks chasing multiple does around my stand all day long!  It was amazing!  I've never seen anything like it in the 20-plus years that I've been chasing whitetails around with archery equipment. 
 
I have always liked the first week of November for hunting big whitetails.  It seems like the rut really busts open during that time frame.  I would suggest the 1st through the 7th or the 8th through the 14th.  A week earlier or later and I believe you'll miss the flurry on either side.
 
That's just my two cents.  Best of luck to you in Iowa!  Be sure to let us all know how your hunt turns out!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve
 
   
 
 

I'm with you almost 100% on this Steve.   Biologists claim that the full moon does affect the rut because it gives out light that affects the photoperiod, which supposedly is the main thing that causes a doe to come into estrus.  It only makes a difference of a few days at most though.  If I was going to Iowa next year, I would agree that I would go from about the 1st to the 14th of November.  If I had to narrow it down further, it would be the first week because the bucks are always ready and looking for does by then.  The latter time might be slow if the rut happens to kick in earlier, but I would venture to say the peak of the rut will be after the full moon next year if it is on the 2nd.  Bucks are normally chasing pretty good by Halloween up here in Michigan and it starts tailing off by about the 10th.  There was very little rutting activity going on up here by the time our season opened on the 15th, but one of my buddies did see a 170" class buck after a doe on the 17th.   Our muzzleloader season starts on Friday and we are hoping that some does got missed last month and come in again.  Also, the winters are easy enough down here in the southern third that a lot of this years does will come in this month.  The only problem with hunting the rut is that those darn bucks hardly ever stand still, but I guess that is a good problem to have!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06