By the light of the autumn full moon, hunters once readied their muskets, seeking game in preparation for the coming winter. This early tradition gave rise to the event known as the Hunter’s Moon, occurring every fall around this time.
Here are some moon facts—and folklore—to help you enjoy this autumn spectacle to the fullest.
How the Hunter’s Moon Got Its Name
The low-hanging Hunter’s Moon once provided light for peoples of various traditional cultures, enabling them to spot game such as deer or elk that came to feed on scraps from the harvest in the fields. Foxes or coyotes also arrived to prey on these animals. With this convenient moonlight and plentiful game, men set out to hunt to supplement their stores with meat before winter fell—hence the name Hunter’s Moon.
