Full Buck Moon

In July, the full Moon is called the full Buck Moon! This Moon follows June’s full Strawberry Moon.

Why Is It Called the Buck Moon?

The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.

The Buck Moon

Traditionally, the full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time of year. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing larger and more impressive sets each time!

Alternative names for this month’s Moon include:

• Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki) because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
• Salmon Moon (Tlingit), which signals when fish returned to the area and were ready to be caught.
• Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), since this is the time when raspberries tend to be fully ripe and ready to eat!

When to See the Buck Moon in 2023

The Buck Moon rises in the evening of Monday, July 3. Look for the bright full Moon high above! The Moon will be at its fullest at 7:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time on the 3rd, but it will still be below the horizon at that time. Let’s hope for good weather and clear skies! 

The First Supermoon of the Year

The Moon orbits Earth in an oval shape (not a circle), meaning it is closer to Earth at certain times of the month. When the Moon is closest to Earth and full at the same time, we call this a supermoon! 

Learn more about the Moon names for every month, including your birthday month!