The whitetail deer is by far the most popular game animal in the United States. Although they have a large population, they are extremely intelligent animals and can be very difficult to find. Deer hunters keep track of deer movement to determine the best hunting times for the whitetail. Tracking deer activity on the trail camera can be beneficial, too.
Using Tech Can Take Out The Guesswork And Save You Time.
The following variables are beneficial when it comes to determining the best hunting times and increasing your chances of being successful.
Variables
Location
Most states in the United States have a vast whitetail deer population, but it is essential to know where the prime locations are. Check out the best hunting location in your state if you want to increase the odds of spotting one of these deer.
Solunar Calendar
There is a theory by John Alden Knight that was thought of in 1926. John Alden Knight believes that animal and deer activity relies on the position and the moon phases. Hunters and fishermen have used this practice for a long time before this theory was published, and they still use it today.
Time of Year
Whitetail deer activity changes depending on what time of year it is. The earlier in the season, the less likely you are to spot a deer.
Time of Day
Whitetail deer are most active in the morning around dawn and the evening around dusk. You can also expect some activity increases throughout the night.
Temperature
The temperature is another critical factor that can affect the movement of deer. Whitetails enjoy colder weather, and studies have shown very little activity from them in warm climates.
Pressure
Whitetail deer are susceptible to changes in barometric pressure, and the atmosphere changes that come with it. The activity of these animals will change based on the pressure in the air.
Weather
The best hunting times also depend on weather. Whitetail deer know how dangerous lousy weather can be, so they will find a safe place to hide when the conditions aren’t ideal.
Wind
If the wind is blowing toward them, a whitetail deer will smell you, and they will know you are there. Some studies have even shown that whitetail deer have a sense of smell that is 10,000 times stronger than ours as humans. If the wind is blowing, you aren’t likely to see any deer.
Best Hunting Times and moon data
The moon data rise phase has a lot to do with the deer activity and the best times to hunt deer. Deer feeding times will depend on the moon data rise phase, so you need to be aware of them.
Let’s use December as an example. The day of the month with the best deer hunting rating will be December 30, which is the 100% waning gibbous moon, the day after the full moon. The significant times will be between 12:07 am to 2:07 am and 12:34 pm to 2:34 pm. The minor times will be between 7:35 am to 8:35 am and 5:33 pm to 6:33 pm.
On December 29, the day of the full moon, the rating for deer hunting is also considered best. The major times will be between 11:40 am and 1:40 pm. The minor times are between 6:40 am to 7:40 am and 4:38 pm to 5:38 pm.
The waxing gibbous brings an average hunting time. For example, on December 22, the major times will be 6:25 am to 8:25 am and 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm. The minor times will be 12:05 am to 1:05 am and 12:35 pm to 1:35 pm.
Apps
You can download apps on your phone that can give you a good idea of when the best hunting times are and when deer activity is at the highest. Using an app will increase your chances of successfully spotting a whitetail deer.
Sportsman Tracker: HuntWise
HuntWise is a hunting app that can give you weather predictions, solunar calendars, GPS maps, and several more features to make your hunting trip successful. You can use this trusted app to help plan your hunting trip.
Quiver Hunt Tracking App
This app allows you to chart and log deer as you see them, helping you determine their path and which way they are headed. You can easily see the weather conditions, temperature, wind speed, moon phase, and pressure trends in one app.
Conclusion
If you are hunting whitetail deer, you need to be sure that you are doing so correctly. They are extremely intelligent animals, so they are difficult to spot. You should know all the factors that affect the movement of these deer. Being aware of these factors gets better with more experience, and you will be successful in no time.
