And then there were ten......

Here is another question that I've been wondering about lately....

I would like to hear what the T-Man crew has to say on the subject.


How much does the moon really affect coyote movement?

Do you see trends in your catch rate when the moon is in a certain phase?

James that is a big sow and looks like you got her before she dropped a litter

Animals and people eat when hungry which is often, regardless of the moon phases. Burning calories does that to us all. I catch in all the moon and no moon phases.

This.

I agree with Bob mostly,I do think when there good snow cover on full moons might be a little slower.We don't have a high population of coyotes,but full moon night are not as good for me.

I am a firm believer in Mr. Jameson's line of thinking.

The above photo was taken on a ¾ full moon.


A slow morning on the coyote line is often blamed on moonlit nights and/or warm temps.

I have never found those factors to be a deterrent as far as coyote activity was concerned.


Coyotes have to make a living no matter what the conditions are.

I don't put much stock in those solunar tables. I'm sure the moon and sun have some influence but I have sat too many times when the table said "prime" and seen nothing and looked back at them after a good hunt (seeing a lot of movement) and it said "poor".

I think opportunity and weather have more influence.

How about if I tweak Tejas’ question a touch. I’ll start with a general idea that there still could be coyote movement regardless of moon phase just because critters are critters — maybe they are looking for food or just going from point A to B because a weather changes is imminent.

So here’s a slightly different version of the question: Do you think that moon phase impacts how the coyotes respond/behaviors they display while moving on full moon vs no moon? And what might those behaviors be and do they impact your catch rates?

Howdy yote killers. Tejas remember me training them to die at the shed. Seven have learned very well. Lol

The resident male passed his test at 8 yards.


Killed some pups then another adult male came to check things out. See this all the time. Seems like it takes 2 to 5 days then new adults on bait.


Then last night a double dirt nap. Adult male and a pup female.

I seem to do very well on full moon nights. These yotes are close 29 yards and under. Always on edge and I wonder if they feel more comfortable in this situation on a bright night. They can see better maybe???

When opportunity Calls, they will come. Unless something changes in the area that may cause them to stall and hold back until they feel the coast is clear again.

Yes animals have to eat on Full Moons, but prey seems to see easier as well. I believe predators stay closer to home on brighter nights.
As far as catching predators yes, I catch on all moons. As far as coyotes, I catch less during the brighter nights than I do compared to the darker nights. Now when it comes to bobcats, I catch more during the brighter nights than I do the darker nights.

And I’ll share a little something I’ve been seeing lately, which really just floors me. I get tired of shooting deer sometimes and I’ve been going out and sitting in my truck with the windows down in the evenings listening for coyotes. Just trying to see if I can hear a pack sounding off. I’ll add this truck is the exact truck I had when I started hunting/trapping this place 7-8 years ago. Deer are absolutely stupid at night. I have them walking as close to 10yds while I have my window down and looking at them through the scope.
Now for the crazy part…I have seen coyotes through the Thermal a long ways off and just used my mouth and squeaked them into 75yds of me sitting in my truck. I’ve been riding and scanning and even stopped the truck with the engine running (no lights) and squeaked them in. The first time it happened I held off until it was almost too late because I thought there’s absolutely NO way I’m calling a coyote straight to my white truck with me sitting in it. After the shot I was still hesitant walking up to it praying to God I wasn’t hallucinating while looking through the scope, lol. It was a coyote.
Anyone have any explanations? Or was I just giving the predators more credit than they deserve? Once I’d call a fluke, 3 times isn’t a fluke.

Was hoping you might respond Wanna Be.

In reference to the second half of your comment, I’ve seen similar but it’s changed much over years too. When first started hunting at night 20 odd years back it was all red lights. In those days moonlite nights were hot as you can see out beyond where light beam throws on snow cover. Over time that advantage slowed way down. And now my general feeling is longer they’ve been pressured with night vision and thermal the more cautious they have become. To point that you probably need to plan on the truck being 1/4 plus mile out of sight if you aren’t messing with pups and don’t want to play sniper

So have you noticed different night responses with bright moon vs none? And perhaps you haven’t even considered that while you’re calling. If that’s case keep it in mind in future for something to observe. As you noted in your initial comments I think there is a lot to do with what their prey sees that probaby comes into play regarding what the coyotes do at night. But I’ve come to conclusion this stuff is way more dynamic than just whether moon is out or whether a critter is hungry but also includes hiw coyotes see to hunt/stalk/travel with more/less light and the comfort level of coyotes in complete darkness vs moonlight plus probably a ton of other things.

I see differences in moon vs no moon particularly after they’ve narrowed the gap from way out and get to around 400yd mark. And Im thinking it can impact hiw they hit up a set

Nice shooting Rob! Keep them thinned out.

Good Question B³ !

I think the primary factor just might be the simple fact that they can see much better in brighter conditions.

Something that looks out of place in low light conditions will stick out like a sore thumb when you shed some moonlight on the subject.

I don’t think that favors the trapper that uses a lot of flashy sets. I do think it can help a good flat set man that uses subtle visuals and is good at blending.

You Betcha’ YG!

Most trappers try to fool a coyote.

Only a few think to condition them.

Good to see you standing watch at the Killing Window again.

#8 died yesterday morning. Makes 150 out the kill window in six seasons. They keep coming and I’ll keep putting holes in them. Lol

Rob if I remember right aren’t most of them coyotes dying over table scraps ?

Why heck yea, hate to see them die without a last meal.
Shoot about half on bait and half on scent posts.