Hunting Tool
Moon Phase Calendar
Lunar cycle, solunar ratings & rut moon predictions for NC hunters
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Waning Crescent
Day 27 · Apr 15, 2026
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 🌕Full | 2 🌖 | 3 🌖 | 4 🌖 | 5 🌖 | 6 🌖 | |
7 🌗LastQ | 8 🌗LastQ | 9 🌘 | 10 🌘 | 11 🌘 | 12 🌘 | 13 🌘 |
14 🌘 | 15 🌑New | 16 🌑New | 17 🌒 | 18 🌒 | 19 🌒 | 20 🌒 |
21 🌒 | 22 🌓FirstQ | 23 🌓FirstQ | 24 🌔 | 25 🌔 | 26 🌔 | 27 🌔 |
28 🌔 | 29 🌕Full | 30 🌕Full |
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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Waning Crescent
Moon Age: 27.5 days
Today's Hunting Rating
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Great — Waning 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