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Full Hunter’s Moon October 2026: Date, Meaning, and Folklore

Full Hunter's Moon October Full Moon, Old Farmer's Almanac text
Image Credit:
Colleen Quinnell/The Old Farmer's Almanac
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

The Full Hunter’s Moon reaches peak illumination on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 12:12 A.M. EDT—but the best time to watch it rise will be Sunday evening, October 25. Why is it called the Hunter’s Moon? Discover the history and seasonal meaning of its name, plus viewing tips and October’s complete Moon phase calendar.

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. 

Convert Eastern Time to your time zone using our converter.

Best Time to See the Hunter’s Moon

Although the Moon reaches peak illumination shortly after midnight Eastern Time on October 26, the best viewing opportunity 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 and will also look nearly full on the evenings before and after its peak.

Why Is October’s Full Moon Called the Hunter’s Moon?

When 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 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.

A buck silhouetted against the full Hunter’s Moon in October
An elk holds the Moon in his antlers. Credit: Gallinago/Shutterstock.

Alternative Names for the October Moon

Different cultures have given full Moons descriptive names based on seasonal changes, natural events, and human activities. These names helped people track the year, plan agriculture, and mark seasonal transitions.

Other traditional October Moon names include:

  • Drying Rice Moon: Dakota tradition, post-harvest rice preparation.
  • Falling Leaves Moon: Anishinaabe name for the transition to fall.
  • Freezing Moon / Ice Moon: Ojibwe and Haida names marking colder temperatures.
  • Migrating Moon: Cree name marking southward bird migrations.

Some years, the October Full Moon is the Moon closest to the autumn equinox. When this happens, the October Moon is called the Harvest Moon and the September Full Moon is referred to as the Corn Moon.

When is the next full Moon? Consult our Full Moon Calendar to find out!

Gardening and folklore tips:

  • Planting under a Waning Moon may yield slower-growing but larger crops.
  • Babies born a day after the Full Moon are said to enjoy endurance and success.
  • A New Moon in dreams can signal increased wealth or a happy marriage.

→ Read more about Full Moon names and meanings.

Moon Phases for October 2026

october 2026 moon phases including the full hunter moon

See all Moon phase dates and times (in Eastern Daylight Time) below. Check your Moon Phase Calendar for local viewing times.

Moon Phases for October 2026
Last Quarter: October 3, 9:24 A.M. EDT
New Moon: October 10, 11:50 A.M. EDT
First Quarter: October 18, 12:12 P.M. EDT
Full Moon: October 26, 12:12 A.M. EDT

Best Days in October 2026

Below are some of the best days for certain activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase in October.

ActivityBest Days
Harvesting aboveground crops16-18
Harvesting belowground crops17, 18
Setting eggs1, 2, 19, 28, 29
Fishing10-26

→ See Best Days for more activities.

Full Moon Names

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Goat Roprr</span> Wed, 09/23/2015 - 09:04
P. S. Which makes this Sunday's moon a blood moon!
<span>Lunalover</span> Mon, 10/20/2014 - 21:55
I was born on a full moon, and am in my mid 40s now. It is not an easy position to carry through one's life. Astrologically, your emotional expression and means of feeling, and your basic ego/self are always in opposition. The sun does cast light which illuminates, and the moon has no light of her own so does benefit from the sun's, of course. So my ego and sense of self informs my emotional state. I have ended up fairly neurotic as a result. Just something to bear in mind. It may seem very romantic and magical, and it definitely has beauty of its own inherent, but it is a very difficult placement speaking from experience. The moon also represents the mother in astrological terms, and one might wish to be cognisant of this. My Aries moon does reflect my (non) relationship with her and the difficulties that I had to face, represented in this position. I think a Taurus moon is better in a lot of ways. And others, dependent upon what the rest of the sky is up to. I do add the caveat, vive la difference. Long live diversity. It's a hard enough world already though. May as well find whatever advantage we can.
<span>Shannon55</span> Thu, 11/05/2015 - 02:32
I was born on a full moon and my moon is in Aries as well; however my experience is not the same as yours. Both my children were born on a full moon and though we all have high energy levels on the regular basis- I do not think it determines our state of mind on the day to day basis. When the moon is full, I have noticed that we are all affected more than most people but I think that the astrological sign that the moon is occupying has more of an influence on us rather than a permanent impact of being born on a full moon.
<span>Lasitha</span> Tue, 07/15/2014 - 04:19
Hi, My Estimated Delivery date is 9th Oct 2014. However could you please let me know which will be the best date to deliver in the month of October? In my case, mostly it will be a C-section. (That's what doctors say) Thanks, Lasitha
<span>Lakyn</span> Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:59
The best day to deliver your baby is TODAY
<span>Hawley</span> Mon, 10/21/2013 - 12:10
What is the significance of being born under a full moon and how can i find out what moon phase was in november 21st 1982 my mother believes the alighnment of the stars and moon and planets are a part of who were are when we enter this life
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 10/22/2013 - 15:14

To find out what Moon phase was on a particular date from 1970 to 2037, you can use our Moon Phases and Lunar Calendar at:

http://www.almanac.com/moon/calendar/NH/Dublin/1982-11

Just put in the zip or postal code to tailor the data to your location (Moon phase date is dependent on local time, and sometimes the date will change depending on what time zone you are in.)

It looks like November 21, 1982, was 2 days before First Quarter (so it was a waxing crescent Moon).

As for the significance of being born under a full Moon astrologically speaking, the answer can get a little lengthy, depending on how many other factors you are considering, too. We'd suggest that you post your question on our Astrology and Signs Forum. Someone there would probably be able to help answer your question.

http://www.almanac.com/forums/astrology-signs-forum

Or, you can search online for "full Moon," "astrology," "significance," and "born" and you'll see several astrology sites that may help.

 <span>Lori B30</span> Fri, 10/18/2013 - 10:43
How can I find out if my husband was born on a full moon night. He is fascinated by the moon and I wonder if he was born under a full moon.
<span>Mandy Mowery</span> Fri, 10/18/2013 - 11:48
http://www.fullmoon.info/en/fullmoon-calendar_1900-2050.html I looked mine up. This site chronicles from 1900-2050
<span>Rob Neal</span> Mon, 10/21/2013 - 17:14
It does conflict with the FA though. It says the Oct. full moon is on the 19th. While the FA says the 18th.