Quick Answer
Elk hunting during a full moon requires adjustments to your typical strategies, as elk are more active and vocal at night. To be successful, you'll need to adapt your approach to account for this increased activity. This involves using the right gear and techniques to locate and harvest your elk under the cover of darkness.
Luring Elk with Vocalizations
During a full moon, elk vocalizations can be heard from a greater distance, making it easier to track and locate them. To take advantage of this, use a calling setup that includes a bugle or elk call, and practice using it to mimic the sounds of an elk’s bugle or other vocalizations. For best results, place your calls 200-300 yards apart to create a “cone of sound” that can be heard by elk from a distance.
Using Night Vision and Light to Your Advantage
To effectively hunt elk at night, use night vision equipment such as night vision goggles or a rifle scope with night vision capabilities. When using a light source, such as a headlamp or spotlight, be cautious not to spook elk that may be in the area. Instead, use a red light source, which is less likely to be detected by elk, to illuminate your surroundings without alerting them to your presence.
Hunting Tactics Under a Full Moon
When hunting elk under a full moon, use a “sound and movement” approach to locate and harvest your quarry. This involves making vocalizations with your calls and then moving quietly into position to get a shot. Be prepared to move quickly and adjust your strategy as needed, as the increased activity of the full moon can make elk more unpredictable and difficult to track.
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