The full moon falls in the midpoint of the lunar cycle when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon. The moon takes about 30 days to orbit the Earth, which is the full lunary cycle.

The full moon in October is also known as the “hunter’s moon” because it marks the beginning of the hunting season, signaling to hunters to begin preparing for colder conditions, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The “hunter’s moon” follows the “harvest moon,” a moon phase that signals the best time for harvesters to reap their crops.

The Hunter's Moon is the full moon following the Harvest Moon. It rises around the same time for several nights, providing early light for fall harvests and hunting activities. The Farmer's Almanac explains that the term "Hunter's Moon" refers to the period after leaves have fallen, making prey easier to spot for hunters with the added moonlight.