Solunar Hog Hunting Moon Calendar: Best Times and Dates

Wild hogs — also called feral pigs or boars — are smart, adaptable, and mostly nocturnal. Hunters are always searching for the best times to find them on the move, and that’s where solunar hog hunting comes in. Based on the idea that animal activity rises and falls with the positions of the sun and moon, this method helps hunters predict when hogs are most active. Some swear it boosts their success, while others believe weather or food sources play a bigger role.

The concept isn’t new. People have noticed changes in animal behavior around certain moons for centuries. In the 1920s, outdoorsman John Alden Knight turned those observations into a system, creating tables to predict the most active periods. Modern apps now refine his idea using GPS and astronomical data.

For hog hunting, solunar theory may help because hogs often feed or travel when lunar gravity peaks. Still, they don’t always follow cosmic rules — local factors like heat, food, and predators play a big role. This article breaks down how solunar theory works, where it came from, and whether it truly gives hunters an edge.

How Solunar Theory Works: The Science Basics

Solunar theory says animals get a boost from gravity. The moon pulls on Earth, making tides in oceans. Knight thought this pull affects all living things, like making them hungrier or more restless. There are two main types of busy times each day: major and minor periods. Major periods last 2 to 3 hours when the moon is straight overhead (called transit) or straight under your feet. That’s when gravity is strongest because the sun and moon line up. Minor periods are shorter, about 1 to 2 hours, at moonrise (when the moon comes up) or moonset (when it goes down). These are weaker but still good. The pull is extra strong during new moons (moon hidden) or full moons (moon bright), because the sun, moon, and Earth align. On quarter moons, it’s weaker.

Not just light—it’s about gravity tweaking animal bodies or moods. For example, studies show oysters open shells on lunar schedules, even in tanks far from the sea. They adjust to new places, like they have a moon clock inside. But for land animals, it’s harder to prove. Weather like clouds can block moon light, changing things. And in lakes or rivers without tides, the theory might not fit as well. Scientists say parts make sense, like animals being active at dawn or dusk. But the direct moon pull on hogs or deer? It’s a hypothesis— a smart guess—not fully tested fact.

Here’s a table to show the main solunar periods:

This table is based on Knight’s ideas and modern apps. Check your local times, as they shift by location.

Solunar Hog Hunting Table by Moon Phase

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Moon Phase	Diagram	Why It Might Work	Best Solunar Periods	Example Night Hunt Time	Tips
New Moon		Dark nights; hogs active under cover of darkness.	Major (moon underfoot at night)	8 PM – 11 PM	Use night vision; focus on travel corridors.
Waxing Crescent		Mostly dark; subtle shift in activity.	Varies; Major or Minor	–	Observe reactions as moon brightens.
First Quarter		Medium pull; partial light.	Major (moon overhead at night)	10 PM – 1 AM	Scout open fields; increased visibility.
Waxing Gibbous		Considerable light; hogs may use it for foraging.	Varies	–	Hunt areas with cover; hogs in groups.
Full Moon		Debated; bright nights, hogs wary or diurnal.	Minor (moonrise/moonset)	7 PM – 9 PM	Consider day hunting; focus on dense cover.
Waning Gibbous		Decreasing light; increasing activity.	Varies	–	Transition to darker nights; observe boldness.
Last Quarter		Similar to First Quarter; medium pull.	Major (moon overhead at night)	10 PM – 1 AM	Note increasing activity towards new moon.
Waning Crescent		Darkening nights; productive period.	Varies	–	Prepare for peak around new moon.

Applying Solunar Theory to Hog Hunting

Hogs are different from fish or deer. They’re pigs gone wild, eating almost anything, and they love night time to avoid heat and people. In summer, they’re super nocturnal—sleeping day, out at dark. Solunar could help spot when they’re extra active, like feeding or traveling between spots. Hunt during major periods at night for best chance.

Some hunters track hogs with cameras and say more show up during solunar peaks. One guy in 2019-2020 watched hogs on 76 nights out of 160+, seeing 102 hogs. He found some link to solunar times, but not perfect. Another hunter said solunar didn’t matter for hogs—you’re just as likely to see them outside those times. Moon phases play in: On full moons, bright light might make hogs bold and group up, easier to spot. But it could scare them into hiding from predators like coyotes or owls that hunt better in light. New moons (dark nights) might make hogs feel safe to roam. In hot weather, try late morning hunts after they’ve rested from night activity. Always scout your area—hogs follow food like acorns or crops more than moons. Use apps like iSolunar or Solunar Forecast for hog-specific times.

Best Times for Solunar Hog Hunting

A Detailed Look at Moon Phases

Understanding how different moon phases might influence hog activity, in conjunction with solunar theory, can be a valuable tool for hunters. While not a guaranteed predictor, aligning your hunt with these celestial events, alongside other environmental factors, can potentially increase your chances of success.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each major moon phase might impact hog behavior and how to approach hunting during these times:

Solunar Hog Hunting the New Moon (Dark Moon)

The new moon phase is characterized by the darkest nights, as the moon is not visible.

• Why it might work: Hogs, being largely nocturnal, often feel safest and most confident to move and feed aggressively under the cover of extreme darkness. Reduced visibility for predators means less caution for hogs, leading to more widespread movement and less localized feeding. The gravitational pull is also strongest when the sun and moon are aligned during this phase.
• Best Solunar Periods: Focus on Major periods (when the moon is underfoot during the night).
• Example Night Hunt Time: 8 PM – 11 PM.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Gear: Night vision, thermal optics, or good quality red/green hunting lights are essential due to the lack of ambient light.
  • Strategy: Concentrate your efforts on travel corridors, known feeding areas, and water sources. Hogs might be less wary of human presence if you’re well-camouflaged and quiet.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Waxing Crescent Moon

As the moon begins to show a sliver of light, progressing towards the first quarter.

• Why it might work: Hogs may still feel quite secure under mostly dark conditions, but with a slight increase in ambient light later in the night. Their activity patterns might begin to subtly shift.
• Best Solunar Periods: Varies by specific solunar times; both Major or Minor periods can be productive.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Observation: Pay attention to how hogs react as the moon gets brighter each night. They might start moving slightly earlier in the evening or extend their foraging.
  • Hunting: Still generally good for night hunting, especially during the darker parts of the evening before the moon rises significantly.

Solunar Hog Hunting the First Quarter Moon

Half of the moon is illuminated during this phase.

• Why it might work: This phase offers a medium gravitational pull. With half the moon illuminated, there’s more light later into the night. Hogs might adapt their movement patterns to use this light for foraging or stick to thicker cover earlier in the evening before the moon is high.
• Best Solunar Periods: Focus on Major periods (when the moon is overhead during the night).
• Example Night Hunt Time: 10 PM – 1 AM.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Adaptation: Hogs may show a pattern of movement before moonrise/moonset, or use the cover of early darkness before the moon is high.
  • Scouting: Look for fresh rooting in open fields under the partial moonlight.
  • Visibility: Hunters will have increased visibility compared to the new moon, but it’s still relatively dark overall, especially early in the evening.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Waxing Gibbous Moon

More than half of the moon is illuminated, growing towards a full moon.

• Why it might work: The moon provides considerable light throughout much of the night. Hogs might become more cautious in very open areas due to increased visibility for predators, but could also use the light to their advantage for spotting distant threats or extended foraging.
• Best Solunar Periods: Varies by specific solunar times; both Major or Minor periods can be productive.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Trade-offs: Better visibility for hunters, but potentially warier hogs.
  • Focus: Hunt areas with good cover nearby, allowing hogs to feel secure while still being able to forage.
  • Behavior: Hogs might travel in larger groups, as safety in numbers is increased in brighter conditions.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Full Moon

The entire face of the moon is illuminated, making nights very bright.

• Why it might work (and why it might not): This is the most debated moon phase among hunters. Some believe the increased visibility makes hogs warier, driving them into thicker cover or making them entirely diurnal (active during the day). Others suggest the increased light allows for more social activity or extended foraging. The strong gravitational pull during this phase could theoretically influence activity.
• Best Solunar Periods: Minor periods (moonrise/moonset) might offer brief windows of activity.
• Example Night Hunt Time: 7 PM – 9 PM (around moonrise).
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Controversy: Many hunters experience reduced hog activity at night during the full moon due to increased predator visibility (for hogs) and general wariness.
  • Alternative: Consider hunting during the day, or very early/late in the day, when hogs might seek cover from the bright moonlight.
  • Strategy: If hunting at night, focus on very dense cover or during major/minor periods just as the moon is rising or setting, or if there’s significant cloud cover.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Waning Gibbous Moon

The moon is more than half full, but shrinking towards the last quarter.

• Why it might work: Similar to the waxing gibbous, but the moon is getting progressively darker each night. Hogs might slowly increase their nocturnal activity as the nights become less illuminated and the intensity of the full moon fades.
• Best Solunar Periods: Varies by specific solunar times; both Major or Minor periods can be productive.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Transition: This phase marks a transition back towards darker nights. Observe if hogs become slightly bolder as the moon wanes.
  • Focus: Still a time for careful scouting and focusing on areas with good cover.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Last Quarter Moon

Half of the moon is illuminated, but it’s the opposite half from the first quarter.

• Why it might work: With half the moon illuminated, hogs might maintain similar patterns to the first quarter, but with decreasing light as the moon continues to wane. This medium gravitational pull can still be a factor.
• Best Solunar Periods: Focus on Major periods (when the moon is overhead during the night).
• Example Night Hunt Time: 10 PM – 1 AM.
• Additional Considerations & Tips:
  • Consistency: Similar to the First Quarter, but leading into darker conditions.
  • Observation: Note if hog activity gradually increases as the moon continues to shrink towards the new moon.

Solunar Hog Hunting the Waning Crescent Moon

The moon is a thin sliver, shrinking towards the new moon.

Preparation: This can be a very productive period, and it’s a good time to prepare for the peak activity often observed around the upcoming new moon.

Why it might work: As the moon shrinks to a sliver and eventually disappears, nights become progressively darker, leading back to the conditions of the new moon. Hogs are likely to become increasingly active at night during this phase.

Best Solunar Periods: Varies by specific solunar times; both Major or Minor periods can be productive.

Additional Considerations & Tips:

Increasing Activity: Expect a gradual and noticeable increase in nocturnal hog movement as the nights grow darker.

Tips and Strategies for Hog Hunters

Start with a solunar app—input your location for daily peaks. Scout trails or feeders during those times. Hogs love corn or roots, so bait near solunar windows. Gear up: Night scopes for dark moons, quiet clothes. Safety first—hogs charge if cornered. Mix solunar with other info: Hot days mean later hunts. Keep a journal: Note moon, time, weather, and hogs seen. Over time, you’ll see if it works for your area. If solunar flops, focus on seasons—hogs breed year-round but peak fall. Join forums for tips from real hunters.

Evidence and Studies: Does solunar hog hunting Really Work?

Science is split. Knight based it on observations, not experiments. A cool study: Oysters in labs opened shells on moon schedules, even without tides, and adjusted to new spots. That shows living things sense moon gravity. For deer, a 2019 study used collars on white-tailed deer. It found some link—deer moved more during solunar events like moon overhead. Stats showed real associations, good for hunters. Since hogs act like deer (nocturnal, foraging), it might apply.

But a 2023 fishing study on trout said solunar tables didn’t predict catches. Over 361 trips, no link to moon or ratings—temperature mattered more. For hogs, forums have stories: One hunter saw correlation in 102 sightings, another said no. No big hog studies, so it’s anecdotal.

Pros: Matches known things like dawn activity or tides.

Cons: Weather overrides, and direct moon effect unproven for land animals. Use it as a tool, not magic.

Conclusion: Try It and See

Solunar theory gives hunters a fun way to plan hog trips. It might boost your odds by timing with nature’s pulls. But don’t rely only on it—watch local hogs and weather. With practice, you’ll find what works. Happy hunting, and stay safe out there!

Frequently Asked Questions About Solunar Hog Hunting

What is Solunar Theory?
Solunar Theory suggests animal activity, including hog movement, rises and falls with the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. Developed in 1926 by John Alden Knight, it helps hunters predict when wildlife is most active.

How does Solunar Theory work?
The theory tracks the moon’s position to find peak activity times called major and minor periods. Major periods occur when the moon is overhead or underfoot; minor periods happen at moonrise or moonset.

How often do solunar periods occur?
Each lunar day (about 24 hours and 50 minutes) includes two major and two minor activity periods that shift slightly each day with the moon’s orbit.

Does Solunar Theory apply to hog hunting?
Yes—hogs are mainly nocturnal, so timing hunts around major solunar periods, especially during full or new moons, may improve success. Still, weather, temperature, and food sources often have stronger effects.

Is Solunar Theory scientifically proven?
Evidence is mixed. Some research shows animals respond to lunar cycles, but no large studies confirm a direct link for hogs. Most proof remains anecdotal from hunters.

Does it work better for fishing or hunting?
Solunar Theory is more accurate for fishing because tides directly follow moon gravity. For hunting, results vary due to land animals’ complex behavior and environmental factors.

What role do moon phases play in hog hunting?
New and full moons create stronger gravitational pulls and influence light levels. Dark new moons favor hog movement, while bright full moons can make them more cautious or active earlier in the evening.

How can I use Solunar data when hunting?
Use a solunar app or table for your exact location. Plan hunts during major or minor periods and pair that info with scouting, weather, and hog feeding patterns.

Are Solunar predictions accurate for hogs?
Results vary. Some hunters see clear patterns; others don’t. Treat solunar data as a timing guide—not a guarantee—and adjust for local conditions.