Opening weekend in 1/2 moon or closing weekend in new moon?

[duck911]

Hi all,

I have a Colorado muzzleloader tag in a reasonably well know (read: "busy") unit. In this unit, it is said that the first crack of a muzzloeloader sends the elk onto a large preserve almost immediately.

Many folks also claim that a new moon makes for better elk hunting because the elk are much more likely to move around in the dawn and dusk.

So, I was curious for your opinions:

All other factors being the same (ie, weather), would you rather hunt opening weekend muzzleloader for 4 days with a 1/2 and waning moon, or 4 days of the last weekend with a waning, and finally, new, moon considering the above?

Can't decide whether to hunt Sat-Tue or Thur-Sun

 

[courtgreene]

all things equal, new moon every time for me. On the other hand, hunting pressure is not induced by any lunar phase, but you did say all other factors being the same.

 

[Art Eatman]

If shooting runs the elk to elsewhereland, hunting during the end of the time looks to me like it would be a dry hole.

 

[T Bran]

Try to get on the border of never never land and allow the other hunters to drive the herd to you. Just be sure you know where the border is.

 

[langenc]

BOTH!!

 

[osprey176]

I've never put much stock in moon phases.I don't believe they will effect game movement on public land nearly as much as hunting pressure.Find the places the other hunters won't go,and your chances go up.Work harder than the other guys.

 

[WYOMan]

+1 ^^^^ It's been my experiance that most guy's don't go more than 1/2 a mile from roads and trails. And what they are telling you about the elk running for dear life to that preserve may or may not be the whole truth. I may try to still hunt the border opening day to test the theory but after that I'm going elsewhere. I find places on my topo maps to check out well before season starts. North and south facing slopes that have thick, dark timber with proximity to food and water, shelves, saddles, probable wallow areas and funnel points. Also how much snow is on the ground at differant elevations is a factor for me as well. Just my opinion though. YMMV