THE UNDERSTANDING AND USAGE OF SOLUNAR TABLES

    The term "SOLUNAR" is the combination of the words "SOLAR" and "LUNAR" and the study of "SOLUNAR" deals with the effects on fish and wildlife that occur during different times of the day caused by the combined activities of the sun and the moon.
    The study of the sun and moon and how their movements effect fish and wildlife has been on going for hundreds of years. The "NATIVE AMERICANS" depended on the harvest of fish and game for their survival and learned how important the solar and lunar influences were to the success of an adequate harvest of game.
    It is a know fact that wildlife are more active during certain peaks of the solar and lunar movements and at different times of the day and night, most noticeably at dawn and dusk.
    In 1926, John Alden Knight started research into the solunar activities and their effect on wildlife. His research resulted in a publication of tables which showed periods of "Major" and "Minor" activities. During Knight's study, data was analyzed pertaining to over 200 record catches of fish. The analysis showed that 90% of the catches were made under the effect of the "NEW MOON" and while in a solunar period.
    More studies were done at Northwestern University, by Dr. Frank A Brown, using live oysters that he had brought to his lab in Chicago, Illinois. Oysters open their shells at each "High Tide" and tides are controled by lunar influence. Dr. Brown discovered that the oysters opened their shells corresponding to the times that the moon was directly "overhead" and "underfoot" for Chicago.
    Solunar tables have been in use since 1936. These tables show the time frame when "Major" and "Minor" periods of solar and lunar activities occur and gives windows into periods of significant increase in wildlife activities.
    The terms "MAJOR" and "MINOR" are related to the position of the moon. The Majors occur when the moon is directly overhead and directly underfoot (on the opposite side of the earth). The Minors are when the moon is half way between the overhead and underfoot positions. There are two Majors and two Minors in every 24 hour period. These periods are predicted to be when fish and wildlife are most active.
    If possible, try to schedule your fishing and hunting periods within the major and minor periods of the day or night for a greater success of your outting.
    The facts and figures of this article were published through the Weather Channel.