Editor’s note: This evocative photograph was created by Gallinago/Shutterstock.
When is the Full Hunter’s Moon in October 2026? The Hunter’s Moon is the Full Moon that follows the Harvest Moon, traditionally associated with hunting and preparing meat for winter. The Hunter’s Moon peaks on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 12:12 a.m. EDT.
Although the Moon reaches peak illumination shortly after midnight Eastern Time on October 26, the best viewing opportunity for the moonrise will be Sunday evening, October 25. Find an open location with an unobstructed view toward the eastern horizon and look for the Moon around sunset.
No telescope is needed. The Hunter’s Moon will appear full and bright throughout the night. It will also look nearly full on the evenings before and after its peak.
October’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Hunter’s Moon–a name that reflects the seasonal shift from gathering crops to preparing meat for winter.
Following the September Harvest Moon, fields are typically cleared, leaves have fallen, and animals are easier to spot in open landscapes. At the same time, game such as deer and other wildlife have fattened up over the summer and early fall, making this an ideal time for hunting.
The bright Moon rising soon after sunset provided extra evening light, allowing hunters to track game longer into the night. For generations, this was the season to hunt, preserve meat, and lay in a store of provisions, to sustain families through the long winter months ahead.