Full Hunter’s moon, 2024. Image credit: the author, 15 cm F/4.2 astrograph. Prominent lunar features include the famous crater Tycho with the “wheel spokes” with its central mountain peak as well as the various Mare (seas) of the moon.
The October Full moon is also known as the Hunter’s moon and is the full moon following the Harvest moon.
Hunter’s Moon Lore
Lore has it that as winter approaches and the days get shorter, hunter’s of all types (human and animal) lose more daylight with each passing day in their quest for prey and to secure enough food for the long, cold winter. In the waning days of October, the full moon naturally extends the hunting period with its brilliant white light.
As the name suggests before the invention of the electric light, the light of the full moon gave aid to the farmers and hunters of old, extending the time during which they could either harvest their crops or hunt in preparation for the coming winter.
We’ve written extensively about the lore behind the moon’s names, most of which honor native traditions and coincide with seasonal events or refer to activities related to survival. This is especially relevant for hunter-gatherer or agrarian communities who depended on a plentiful harvest or hunt to survive. For example, last month’s full moon (September) was the Harvest moon since September’s full moon coincides with the Autumn harvest and is chronologically nearest the Autumnal Equinox.
Additional information on the lore of the moon and its names can be found here and here. It also should be noted that each full Moon name is applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.
For moon fans, the month begins and ends with a New Moon. The Full Moon occurs precisely between each new moon on the 16th day. For additional details, a full lunar calendar and the lore behind each month’s Full Moon, please visit the Farmers Almanac. Additional information regarding calendars and phases of the moon can be found here.
Full Hunter’s Moon, 2026
With the golden glow of Saturn to the west, last night’s Full (Hunter’s) Moon was located at the border of Pisces and Aries.
The Full Hunter’s Moon for 2026 reaches its peak illumination on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 12:12 AM, EDT (12 minutes after midnight).
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