When does deer hunting begin on the lunar calendar?

The peak time for hunting deer occurs within the three-to-four-day span on either side of the second full moon after the autumnal equinox. During this time, does are in heat, which attracts the bucks that most hunters prize.

During the second full moon after the autumnal equinox, bucks start scraping against trees to claim turf as their own for mating purposes. Scent that's expressed through glands on the buck's forehead stays behind on the trees, attracting females and warning younger bucks to stay away. Hunters who are aware of the cycles of the moon and the haunts of local deer can use this knowledge to know when to hunt and when not to bother hunting.