The Buck Moon And What It Means For Serious Mule Deer Hunters

Every July, while most Americans are lighting fireworks and grilling burgers, something quieter—but just as powerful—is happening in the mountains.

The Buck Moon is rising.

No, it’s not just some poetic phrase—it’s the first full moon of July, and it got its name for a reason. This is the time of year when buck antlers hit a major growth milestone. But the Buck Moon isn’t just a calendar event. For students of the game, it marks the turning point. It's when things start getting real.

What is the Buck Moon?

The Buck Moon is the traditional name for July’s full moon, given by Native American tribes and carried on in the Farmer’s Almanac. It earned that name because bucks are in peak antler-growing season during this time. Their velvet antlers are expanding rapidly—inch by inch, day by day.

But here’s the kicker for mule deer hunters: That full moon lines up perfectly with the beginning of prime scouting season.

Antler Growth by the Buck Moon

Robby Denning, owner of Rokslide.com, has a wealth of knowledge and experience hunting big mule deer. Robby is one of my go to sources when it comes to learning about mule deer.

Here are some of his observations that are mentioned in his article "The Rise of the Buck Moon".

"In the West, above about 7,500 feet, a buck's antlers are about 80% grown by early July. That means a 180" typical buck in early July might put on another 15-20" (about 2" per point) by the time they shed their velvet." These numbers are approximate and there are many factors that could show a change in these findings but years of watching mule deer show that this is a good general rule.

Robby also mentions "He has seen wide bucks at the end of June and don't seem to be much wider at the end of August. Cheaters also seem to come on strong after mid-July so if it is a non-typical buck he could put on a lot of inches by the time he is hard horn."

Some of the fastest growth happens in early June to early July which makes July a time of the most important scouting. Keep these in mind when scouting after early June

• Buck's antlers are generally 80% grown by early July

• Most of the growth after mid-July comes from tine length and extras—not width

• Cheaters and non-typical points tend to explode after mid-July

• Wide frames you see in early July won't be much wider, if at all, in August. Just cleaner and more developed.

In other words, antler development is influenced by elevation, forage, genetics, and moisture—but timing your scouting around the Buck Moon helps you catch bucks while they’re settled, visible, and in their summer pattern.

Why the Buck Moon Matters to Mule Deer Hunters

To Muley Nation, the Buck Moon doesn’t just light up the sky—it shines a spotlight on one of the most critical windows in the entire season.

Here’s why:

1. Bucks Are Settling Into Summer Range

By early July, most high-country bucks have arrived in their summer hideouts. These are the basins, benches, and alpine faces where they’ll live—relatively undisturbed—for the next 6–10 weeks.

If you’ve got an early-season tag (archery or muzzleloader), this is prime time to locate your target buck.

Even if your hunt is later, summer scouting helps you learn glassing points, access routes, and terrain features that will matter come September or October.

The ideal situation is to find a good buck on summer range before the start of the season. Come season he will still be there or very close. In October he could be a little further away (1 to 2 miles) but generally he will be close just down lower in thicker cover.

2. Bucks Are Visible and Vulnerable (Sort Of)

Summer bucks, especially bachelor groups, tend to feed longer in the open, often well after sunrise. They haven’t been pressured yet. They’re focused on nutrition, not escape routes.

This is the perfect time to glass, observe, pattern, and document behavior.

Even if you’re not hunting these specific bucks, you’re sharpening your eye for country and mule deer behavior—both of which will pay off later.

3. Scouting Is More Than Finding Deer

The Buck Moon isn’t just about spotting bucks—it’s about preparing the battlefield.

Use this time to:

• Mark glassing knobs

• Study thermals and wind patterns

• Find access points and trail systems

• Talk to locals, packers, hikers—you’d be surprised who knows what

So What Should You Do During the Buck Moon?

Here’s your Muley Nation playbook for this July:

• Start your scouting now (especially between July 5–20)

• Focus on early morning and late evening glassing

• Document bucks—frames, location, timing, behavior

• Revisit spots every 7–10 days to track growth

• Stay discreet—don’t blow your future hunt

• Talk to people. Ask questions. Listen more.

And remember: Every hour in the field now puts you ahead of 90% of hunters this fall.

Final Thoughts: The Student of the Game

The Buck Moon is a milestone—but not magic.

It’s a signal to dial in your mindset. This is where hard-earned knowledge, consistent boots-on-the-ground effort, and curiosity collide.

Whether you’re chasing velvet in August, hard horn in November, or building your strategy for a general season tag, the hunters who kill mature bucks are the ones who put in the work during summer—while the rest of the world’s still at the lake.

“Be a student of the game. The Buck Moon is your cue to get serious.”

A big thanks to Robby for sharing his valuable knowledge. Studying his experiences are sure to give you an advantage to harvesting a big buck.

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