Post by: adkmountainken on October 23, 2012, 04:56:00 PM
Post by: Sean B on October 23, 2012, 05:03:00 PM
Post by: Bowwild on October 23, 2012, 05:06:00 PM
Actually, I rarely use a flashlight. I know my area very well and don't need a light to move safely and quietly (except for the occasional skunk that ends up on the same trail in front of me). I have a light handy and I use red LED bulbs to be less visible to the critters.
Post by: mark land on October 23, 2012, 05:09:00 PM
Post by: goldflinger on October 23, 2012, 05:10:00 PM
Post by: smokin joe on October 23, 2012, 05:14:00 PM
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on October 23, 2012, 05:14:00 PM
Post by: BigBucksnTrucks on October 23, 2012, 05:15:00 PM
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on October 23, 2012, 05:18:00 PM
If I waited until first light I'd have an unfilled buck tag right now instead of the deer I put in the freezer last Saturday. I shot him exactly right at first legal light.
Post by: centaur on October 23, 2012, 05:18:00 PM
Post by: 2treks on October 23, 2012, 05:30:00 PM
I walk in while still dark and use the light only as needed.
Manytimes I have nudged deer off only to have them come right back before light. It is rare for the deer to blow at me,and only do so if they get my wind.
Firstlight is the best light,for killing deer.
Thats how I see it anyhow,I hope it shines a little light on the subject.
Post by: Rob W. on October 23, 2012, 05:35:00 PM
Post by: KOOK68 on October 23, 2012, 05:54:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: Marc B. on October 23, 2012, 06:04:00 PM
Post by: JPE on October 23, 2012, 06:30:00 PM
Post by: 30coupe on October 23, 2012, 06:34:00 PM
I don't think the deer give a hoot about flashlights. I have one now that has a red led which is okay for walking in. The red light is NOT intended as a way to avoid scaring deer. It is so that YOUR night vision is not inhibited by the light. A bright, white light reduces your night vision for about 30 minutes on average. The red light has little or no effect on your night vision.
I rarely bump deer walking in at first light, but you do need to get settled in the stand quickly or the deer will be on you. I killed a buck a couple of years ago on a morning that I overslept and got into the stand right at legal shooting time. I can called him in and killed him before I even had time to don a face mask. Heck I didn't even have an arrow on my bow when I first saw him. I don't really like cutting it that close, but I don't mind walking in during that predawn period when the eastern horizon just begins to show light. Usually I can see without lights at that point.
Still, I agree with those who like to see the day begin from a tree stand. I don't know that it makes killing a deer any easier, but it is pretty cool anyway.
Post by: Alexander Traditional on October 23, 2012, 06:37:00 PM
Post by: huntmaster70 on October 23, 2012, 06:40:00 PM
Post by: RedShaft on October 23, 2012, 07:07:00 PM
in the evenings i usually climb down before dark, i dont much like the dark when hunting by myself and am man enough to admit it. so i usually dont need a light coming out.
Post by: RedShaft on October 23, 2012, 07:12:00 PM
Post by: TooManyHobbies on October 23, 2012, 07:17:00 PM
I feel more blind with a light than without.
I worry about it scaring deer off, even though they just look at it. I usually start my walk in total darkness. I know where my stands are usually, so I don't usually get lost. This morning I got to my stand 25 minutes before sunrise. Just at shooting light. You should be able to see with moon light good enough to find your stand (where I hunt anyway).
I come out the same way. At least in the morning, it's always getting lighter, so if your lost, no problem. But, at night it just gets darker, so getting lost can be a problem, with or without a light. I do keep a light for blood trails, of course.
Post by: BrownA5 on October 23, 2012, 07:32:00 PM
Have a great/safe season all!
Post by: Stumpkiller on October 23, 2012, 08:00:00 PM
But yes, I have "missed" my stand a couple times and waited out the dawn sitting on a blowdown. Lately my stand is on my property and I have no problem finding it without a light.
Post by: LittleBen on October 23, 2012, 08:05:00 PM
Post by: bluegrassbowhunter on October 23, 2012, 08:17:00 PM
Post by: Easykeeper on October 23, 2012, 08:20:00 PM
Post by: toddster on October 23, 2012, 08:37:00 PM
Post by: toddster on October 23, 2012, 08:39:00 PM
Post by: RecurveRookie on October 23, 2012, 08:40:00 PM
Post by: Walt Francis on October 23, 2012, 08:59:00 PM
Post by: Hoyt on October 23, 2012, 09:34:00 PM
I walk out the door a 4:45am and try to beat daylight at 6:45am. I lost the last two trips. When I got to the tree I was going to climb I didn't need a light.
Something has to give..I've hunted 21 days and seen a total of 3 deer.
Post by: kbetts on October 23, 2012, 09:40:00 PM
Plus I'm a sucker for damp leaves in the morning and the opportunity to cross a path at eye level.
Post by: stagetek on October 23, 2012, 10:17:00 PM
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 23, 2012, 11:18:00 PM
Just give the ole peeper a bit of time to adjust to your night vision, take your time and leave the light in the pack for blood trailing.
Post by: on October 24, 2012, 12:46:00 AM
Bisch
Post by: OBXarcher on October 24, 2012, 04:28:00 AM
That said I use either a red or green light when needed.
I encourage everyone to use a light of some kind once gun season comes in (small game, big game). Walking through the woods in very low light conditions with other hunters out there is a recipe for disaster.
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 24, 2012, 07:21:00 AM
I hear a lot of them moving in the early dark, but rarely have there been deer coming through in the early light..
Much more activity about sun-up to an hour and half later, ,but I know that varies by location, pressure etc.
Post by: Night Wing on October 24, 2012, 07:29:00 AM
Post by: misfire on October 24, 2012, 07:49:00 AM
If I waited till first light I would feel like I'm running late.
Post by: YORNOC on October 24, 2012, 08:31:00 AM
Flashlight for me.
Post by: mathews8pt on October 24, 2012, 08:39:00 AM
Post by: adkmountainken on October 24, 2012, 09:04:00 AM
Post by: Dave Lay on October 24, 2012, 09:36:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by adkmountainken:same here, i have tried the no light thing alot but had a pretty bad eye injury from a dang unseen stick in the eye, I think Roger Rothhaar always slipped in at first light, i personally just cant do that, so i use a light sparingly and try to be in stand at least 30 minuites before any hint of light
wow, i am jealous, i wish i could find my way to my stand with NO light but it is nearly impossible on the ridge i hunt. i know it well but would brake my butt with all the limbs, rocks and streams.
Post by: eflanders on October 24, 2012, 10:12:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Dave Lay:I am not much of an early morning guy but always stay out until total dark. Candidly I really have a hard time getting up so early, but if I do, I usually use a light going in and out. I haven't tried the colored light thing so I am going to try that this weekend. The colored light thing seems to make sense to me regarding the eye /light adjustment factor.
QuoteOriginally posted by adkmountainken:same here, i have tried the no light thing alot but had a pretty bad eye injury from a dang unseen stick in the eye, I think Roger Rothhaar always slipped in at first light, i personally just cant do that, so i use a light sparingly and try to be in stand at least 30 minuites before any hint of light [/b]
wow, i am jealous, i wish i could find my way to my stand with NO light but it is nearly impossible on the ridge i hunt. i know it well but would brake my butt with all the limbs, rocks and streams.
Post by: GRINCH on October 24, 2012, 10:14:00 AM
Post by: Mint on October 24, 2012, 11:13:00 AM
Post by: doug77 on October 24, 2012, 12:13:00 PM
doug77
Post by: Hopewell Tom on October 24, 2012, 12:16:00 PM
I like to be settled about 30 minutes before shooting light.
Really neat time there in the last bit of black, feel like a hunter.
Post by: backyardbowhunter on October 24, 2012, 03:54:00 PM
Post by: cahaba on October 24, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
Post by: Jim Keller on October 24, 2012, 06:48:00 PM
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 24, 2012, 08:01:00 PM
1. Wait about 2-3 minutes for your eyes to acclimate to the dark.
2. Never look directly at what you are trying to see. Rather look past it, and use your periphial (sp)vision to see shapes and objects.
3. Move slow and keep your eyes moving and don't stare.
4. Use a flashlight even once and you start all over.
We use to tape the lens of a flashlight and leave just a pin hole for those times you just absolutely need a bit of help.
Post by: Bill Skinner on October 24, 2012, 08:05:00 PM
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 24, 2012, 08:05:00 PM
http://www.wikihow.com/See-in-the-Dark
Post by: Sam McMichael on October 24, 2012, 08:54:00 PM
Post by: Roger Norris on October 24, 2012, 09:01:00 PM
Post by: StickBowManMI on October 24, 2012, 09:16:00 PM
Post by: Rod in SC on October 25, 2012, 08:59:00 AM
Im not convinced that you wouldnt be better off using a very bright light while approaching the stand. This would be true especially if youre hunting deer close to roads where they see car headlights regularly. I think that maybe because of cars they have become accustomed to very bright lights but not necessarily little sissy lights sneaking around. And there aint no way Im slipping around in the half dark with no light around here. Bubba would put a hole in me for sure! 8-)
Post by: Bowwild on October 25, 2012, 09:26:00 AM
Here in KY several bow hunting days are overlapped by firearms seasons; Youth Rifle, MZZL, General Firearms, another December MZZL, and then another Youth rifle after Christmas. I of course wear the obligatory orange and I will have a small light on to "help" from giving someone something tragic to remember the rest of their lives.
Post by: Brock on October 25, 2012, 09:28:00 AM
Post by: beauleyse on October 25, 2012, 09:55:00 AM
Bright eyes and a clean trail is the best way to slip in quiet and quickly in the dark with only a flashlight.
The real challenge is when you can walk to your stand by only moon light those are my favorite walks, very little disturbance and what a way to feel like a predator than only using the moonlight and your knowledge of the land.
Post by: richbat on October 25, 2012, 10:02:00 AM
Post by: lt-m-grow on October 25, 2012, 10:13:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by goldflinger:This is how I do it too...
I usually try to get in the stand around 45 minutes before sunup, which is 15 minutes ahead of legal shooting time. Sometimes it is bright enough I do not need the flashlight at all, and other times I use it intermittently, but I all ways have it with me.
You need less light than you think you need and I see very little value being in stand - sitting in the dark - longer than 15-20 minutes before shooting time.
Post by: awbowman on October 25, 2012, 10:16:00 AM
Oh, the older I get the less I hunt in the morning also. :bigsmyl:
Post by: on October 25, 2012, 12:02:00 PM
Post by: DayTripper on October 25, 2012, 12:04:00 PM
Post by: md126 on October 25, 2012, 12:31:00 PM
hate to see it when people use their lights like light sabers.. makes me cringe
Post by: jonsimoneau on October 25, 2012, 01:14:00 PM
Post by: adkmountainken on October 25, 2012, 01:22:00 PM
Post by: Hoyt on October 25, 2012, 06:58:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by jonsimoneau:X 2
I don't think flashlights bother deer as much as people think. I have had deer walk under my stand in the dark and have shined my flashlight on them from above with no negative results.
I don't worry about spooking deer or turkey with a light. Back when I would actually see a few deer in the woods I walked up on them all the time going and coming from stand with a regular head light and hand held light. I guess they just figure it's aliens walking around.
I was going in last yr real early to get a longs ways back and walked up to less than 10yds on one of the biggest racked buck I've ever seen in the woods.
I caught something shining out of the corner of my eye and pointed my hand held light and there he was. I had a dimmer head lamp on for watching my step and a longer beam handheld. He just laid there and never even looked at the lights he would just look past me to the left and right.
I walked up on two more last yr to about 20yds one almost as big and a little 4pt or so.
I use to not use light for turkey..but doens't work on new moon or close to it. Found out it didn't spook them anyway after setting up right under a couple using a light.
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 26, 2012, 09:22:00 PM
The other part of me going in at first light, is that I am good for about 3 hours without getting wonder lust, or just plane being done for the day.
Going in at first light as opposed to an hour or so early extends the time I am on stand during legal shooting time..
Mid to late morning has always proved more productive that first light.
Post by: jax on October 26, 2012, 10:07:00 PM
Post by: Arwin on October 27, 2012, 05:26:00 AM
I go in at least an hour before daylight to beat any bucks to the bedding area. :thumbsup:
Post by: tim roberts on October 27, 2012, 11:45:00 AM