Deerly Beloved: Why Summer's Buck Moon Is Major

PHOTO: SPACE.COM

Summer marks beach time, longer hours of daylight, peak growing season for farms, and the annual ascension of The Buck Moon. The seventh full moon of 2022, this celestial event is special because it’s a supermoon, or a moon that appears really big (like, really) from earth because of its orbital proximity to Earth. In other words, tonight’s Buck Moon is the closest that the moon will get to our planet all year. 

WHAT DOES THE BUCK MOON MEAN IN ASTROLOGY?

If you believe in Big Horoscope Energy, then you might believe the Buck Moon will heighten your emotions, speeding up life changes and unearthing stark realizations about who and what fulfills your true purpose. (Thank you, Nylon astrology chart!)

WHY IS IT CALLED A BUCK MOON?

For those of us more into the natural than the supernatural, we can still learn something from the Buck Moon—especially about bucks, or male deer, themselves. The Buck Moon got its name because this is the season when stags shed their antlers in the woods. That process happens once a year, and the antlers change length and thickness depending on the size of each animal. The older and bigger the deer, the longer and wider the antlers.

WHAT DO BUCKS AND DEER DO FOR OUR PLANET?

Deer are a key part of several ecosystems, including forests, prairies, and wetlands. As herbivores, they help keep overgrowth in check and also help spread new seed patches through their fur, dung, and hooves. And as prey animals, they feed predators like wolves, coyotes, and big cats. But more than 10 deer per square mile and deer begin to overpopulate an area, which leads to reduced plant life, looser soil, and therefore, more chances for flooding and drought. 

To help your local ecosystem stay balanced, don’t feed deer. Yes, they are so gorgeous, and it’s very fun to see them on your lawn. But deer need to exist within the natural boundaries of their ecosystems so all other plants and animals can thrive, too. So if you see your dad sneaking a deer some Frosted Flakes in your backyard (something that fully happened in our house as teens!), explain why ultimately, they’re hurting the deer as well as the planet.

WHAT ARE SOME AMAZING FACTS ABOUT BUCKS?

So glad you asked! Here are our 4 favorite things about bucks, and deer in general:

*The most common American bucks, whitetail deer, are about 150 lbs, and can grow up to 7 feet long. That means if a buck gets on its hind legs, it’s taller than LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Karlie Kloss (even in heels).

*Buck antlers can be anywhere from 3 to 25 inches long, but on average, they hit about 15 inches. They’re mostly made of calcium along with potassium and magnesium, which makes them very similar to bone. 

*Caribou—otherwise known as reindeer—are the only species of deer to have antlers even when they’re female. They shed their antlers each year just like males do, so technically, this Buck Moon is also for them.

*Baby deer have white spots to help them blend into the forest floor and avoid predators as they sleep… which means Bambi’s shading was entirely accurate in the Disney movie!