Hunting Tool
Moon Phase Calendar
Lunar cycle, solunar ratings & rut moon predictions for NC hunters
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Waxing Crescent
Day 4 · Apr 21, 2026
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 🌖 | 2 🌗LastQ | 3 🌗LastQ | 4 🌘 | 5 🌘 | 6 🌘 | 7 🌘 |
8 🌘 | 9 🌑New | 10 🌑New | 11 🌒 | 12 🌒 | 13 🌒 | 14 🌒 |
15 🌒 | 16 🌒 | 17 🌓FirstQ | 18 🌓FirstQ | 19 🌔 | 20 🌔 | 21 🌔 |
22 🌔 | 23 🌔 | 24 🌕Full | 25 🌕Full | 26 🌖 | 27 🌖 | 28 🌖 |
29 🌖 | 30 🌖 |
About This Rating
This 5-🦌 scale rates expected daytime deer movement by moon phase, based on GPS-collar research from NC State University, Auburn University, and field data compiled by Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. New moon (darkest nights) consistently produces the highest daytime movement — deer that fed little overnight are up and moving at dawn. First quarter produces the lowest. Full moon periods shift movement to midday rather than dawn/dusk.
Weather, rut phase, hunting pressure, and temperature all outweigh moon phase. Use this as one tool among many.
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Waxing Crescent
Moon Age: 4.0 days
Today's Hunting Rating
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Great — Waxing Crescent
🦌 2024 Rut Moon Dates
Pre-Rut
Oct 2–10
Seeking
Oct 14–21
Peak Rut
Oct 28 – Nov 12
Lock-Down
Nov 13–20
Second Rut
Dec 3–14
Dates are approximate. Local rut timing varies by region — verify with local hunters and your wildlife agency.
Hunter Tips
- New moon = darkest nights → peak daytime movement all day
- Waning crescent → strong morning & evening movement builds daily
- Last quarter → best late-afternoon movement before dusk (NC State study)
- Full moon = deer fed all night → slow days, try midday sits
- First quarter = lowest daytime activity of all phases — avoid if possible