Using a light while hiking in?

[NYSKIER]

Hi guys just looking to see what everyone prefers to do when hiking in the dark to get set up to glass or set up on a meadow edge for elk. Do you prefer to walk in with no light source (no headlamp or flashlight) or do you use the light for safety? If you don't use a light is it because you are afraid it will spook game? I was thinking about this the other day and I seem to use a combination of both depending on the terrain just want to know what you guys think.

 

[jcneng]

I use a head lamp that I hold in my hand to keep it down low and avoid shining up. Sometimes you can hike without a light which is best. Depends on the trail or lack of a trail and moonlight

 

[Lonesome_God_outdoors]

I use a red light

 

[TimeOnTarget]

I try and use nothing but that's not always doable. Red light for me if needed.

 

[noharleyyet]

..hardly ever.

 

[brymoore]

Red light and turn off 1/2 mile before target area.

 

[Schaaf]

I use a green light as sparingly as possible.

 

[hank4elk]

I use a green light as sparingly as possible.

Ditto this.

 

[jvanhoy]

Green for me too. Ive walked right in on a few critters with it.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I find it is much better to just let my eyes adjust, and use the light only when I really need it.

 

[NYSKIER]

Nice everyone seems to be on the wavelength

 

[jzeck2]

have used both red and green. May be a bigger deal for fellow hunters than game. There are typically a lot of white lights out there and as long as you aren't shining it right in the animals face I think they are used to seeing white light at a distance. Buddy buys the cheapest headlamp with only white light and he essentially ruins your night vision for the rest of the morning.

 

[Tikka06]

Red headlamp for me. I personally think it makes a difference to the animals. I've walked right up on whitetails here at home.

 

[CATAHOULA12]

Red lamp

 

[AggieOutlaw]

Nice everyone seems to be on the wavelength

I enjoyed this.

Also, red LED on half power but only if it's pitch dark. 30 mins before legal light, twilight is usually bright enough for safe terrain.

 

[FAIR CHASE]

How else are you going to see those hungry eyes looking at you.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Green headlight.

 

[teej89]

interesting never thought about trying green/red.... what brand head lamp does everyone recommend for green?

 

[jvanhoy]

interesting never thought about trying green/red.... what brand head lamp does everyone recommend for green?

I have a surefire headlamp that has green and white. Some of the cheap hat clip lights work great too.

 

[buckbull]

I wear a green or red headlamp always. More to let hunters know I'm not a target than to see. I had a slug zing by me a few years ago and I make sure i'm lit up. I also stopped calling turkeys in the dark of the morning for same reason. Too many idiots out there willing to do anything for a trophy shot.