I usually go into the woods when it's still dark. Do any of you guys do that and use a small flashlight ? If so, does it scare turkeys ?----Also, does it work to go in when it's just barely getting light ?
We use small green lights if needed. None if we can get by with not busting our butts in the dark. Slipping in slowly in the just breaking dawn often works out just fine since we are often so much quieter. Add - big difference if on private or public. Good luck.
When you get right down to it, this is a common-sense issue. The considerations are such things as the light conditions you are walking under (full moon, no moon), the terrain type (flat, obstruction-free as compared to challenging topography with obstructions), and distance from the turkeys (and sight line to turkeys).
I can state for a fact that the folks that say they never use a flashlight going to turkeys on the roost are not hunting the same kind of country that I am hunting. Doing that here would be a great way to end up with a broken body part or a poked-out eye. On the other hand, though, is the understanding that once you get to a certain point in your approach, using a flashlight requires some level of discretion based on that "common sense" premise.
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
I use a small green pen-type light pointed just in front of me and have set up my decoys within 30 yards of gobblers without knowing it until they sounded off near daylight.
I have a cap which has two small LEDs under the bill. Only light projected is downward at your feet.
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 27, 2022, 09:49:20 AM
When you get right down to it, this is a common-sense issue. The considerations are such things as the light conditions you are walking under (full moon, no moon), the terrain type (flat, obstruction-free as compared to challenging topography with obstructions), and distance from the turkeys (and sight line to turkeys).
I can state for a fact that the folks that say they never use a flashlight going to turkeys on the roost are not hunting the same kind of country that I am hunting. Doing that here would be a great way to end up with a broken body part or a poked-out eye. On the other hand, though, is the understanding that once you get to a certain point in your approach, using a flashlight requires some level of discretion based on that "common sense" premise.
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
Dead on here. I use a very small mag light when I have to walking in thick cover in darkness. I hide it more in my hands keeping reflection to a minimum. It isn't worth poking out an eye trying to navigate through thick stuff in the dark. It's also nice to be able to flash at another hunter if he comes in behind you in the dark...
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 27, 2022, 09:49:20 AM
When you get right down to it, this is a common-sense issue. The considerations are such things as the light conditions you are walking under (full moon, no moon), the terrain type (flat, obstruction-free as compared to challenging topography with obstructions), and distance from the turkeys (and sight line to turkeys).
I can state for a fact that the folks that say they never use a flashlight going to turkeys on the roost are not hunting the same kind of country that I am hunting. Doing that here would be a great way to end up with a broken body part or a poked-out eye. On the other hand, though, is the understanding that once you get to a certain point in your approach, using a flashlight requires some level of discretion based on that "common sense" premise.
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
:z-winnersmiley:
on a board where so many always speak in absolutes, you are the constant voice of reason
I often have a headlamp in my vest but only use it when hiking a long way typically on a trail and nowhere near a roosting turkey. It's rare that I move in close to a bird in the pitch black dark anymore. I seldom have a bird roosted so there's nothing for me to get to when it's that dark besides a listening spot. If I do approach a bird when it's that dark , there's a reason, and it's not to point a flashlight around.
No light.Go in pitch black, very early. That's the best way. Be very silent.
Small led camo cap with the white and green lights ... i do carry a small pen light on my belt in a small holster. I just use what light i think i need to navigate around the area i'm hunting... You have to remember your turkey hunting ... not coon hunting ... :OGturkeyhead:
I'll do a quick shine at the base of the tree. The last thing I want to do is sit on a copperhead.
As mentioned previously, I use one when needed and don't when unneeded.
Esse quam videri
I use a light only when necessary but when I start getting close to a roosted gobbler or in an area that a turkey could possibly be roosted, it's lights out. I may use a dim red light but if I can get by without any light source that last 75-100 yards, I will.
Same here, light if only absolutely have to. If I do, it's a penlight with a green bulb.
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Quote from: bigriverbum on March 27, 2022, 10:50:21 AM
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 27, 2022, 09:49:20 AM
When you get right down to it, this is a common-sense issue. The considerations are such things as the light conditions you are walking under (full moon, no moon), the terrain type (flat, obstruction-free as compared to challenging topography with obstructions), and distance from the turkeys (and sight line to turkeys).
I can state for a fact that the folks that say they never use a flashlight going to turkeys on the roost are not hunting the same kind of country that I am hunting. Doing that here would be a great way to end up with a broken body part or a poked-out eye. On the other hand, though, is the understanding that once you get to a certain point in your approach, using a flashlight requires some level of discretion based on that "common sense" premise.
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
:z-winnersmiley:
on a board where so many always speak in absolutes, you are the constant voice of reason
This and this.
Sometimes I think some guys don't know what real dark is. I've been in some places where I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. No moon, dark clouds, and no ambient light from a nearby town. I also like the two ends of the day, dawn and dusk. Just like being out there then. I have been a mile from the truck 20 minutes AFTER sunset and walking away from it trying to roost a bird. I need a light to get back in the evening safely too.
The one thing I don't like is a light on a hat. Too hard to control it in a situation where I might want to point it at my feet and cover it with my hand a bit when somewhat close to roosted birds. I can shut the light off when needed.
Green light as needed.
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Quote from: GobbleNut on March 27, 2022, 09:49:20 AM
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
I've heard the Battle Hymn of the Republic works on southern birds. Puts them at ease because there ain't no way a Yank could kill a tough old southern gobbler! :goofball:
I hike in up to a mile on most of the public land I hunt. Darn right I use a light. There are multiple parking places to access those woods and I want someone to know I'm there. Then I "go dark " as possible the last few hundred yards.
If you have hours to walk it may be different. My typical locations only require a half an hour walk, or less. There is usually plenty of light for me to get out of my truck, do my morning routine and get my eyes adjusted to the natural ambient light. Key
Maybe if you try being at your spot early, getting out the truck and just standing in the dark you'll find that your eyes will adjust to that light.
95% of the time when a turkey gobbles there is well enough light to see to navigate safely through the woods. Usually, they don't goblle in pitch black darkness, they are asleep.
I don't even have a light in my vest or pockets. Maybe I have good darkness eyesight? But, I suggest standing in the dark for awhile to allow your eyes to adjust. With the truck doors closed or course.
When your walking with your light on, you can't tell it's light enough to walk without. This sounds really stupid. But, I proved it to my BF on his son's youth hunt last year. Your eyes will adjust if you give them darkness. This was on an hour walk, well before daylight.
I carry a small keychain sized thrunite and a small green led hat light. I try to use both sparingly.
I use a small krypton flashlight to help me move through the woods quietly and negotiate water and mudholes. One thing that I do is to hold the flashlight by the aperture edge to reduce peripheral light and to point it on the ground just ahead of my feet. I will switch over to the red lights when I think I might be getting close and turn it off when I am within 200 yards of where I want to start the day.
Just a sm green light if i really need it. Most times i do not
I've got a green Stylus pen light, and a red single small bulb headlamp. I rarely use either one of them.
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I prefer not to use a light, but most of my walk ins lately are in ankle deep water in cotton mouth country. So I use a light until I get close to where I want to set up.
.. the ones I hunt are so cagey that would be the end of the hunt before it even started if I was walking down the trail with a light ..in fact I don't even like using the headlights as I'm getting anywhere near my spots
With that said ... I grab those cheap or free with a coupon small led harbour Freight flashlights ..I take a red magic marker and color it red ...I'll use it in dire need ..like stooped down looking for a dropped item like pruning shears ..call and will shield the lens with my hand cupped over the lens
I don't see (pun) how a person can walk in dark woods without any light. Maybe on a trail but that still seems risky. Safety first for me as I am almost always in a new spot on public. Not bright light but some light.
In the North Carolina mountains where I live and primarily hunt, I wear a headlamp for bears and steep terrain. In South Carolina, I wear a headlamp for hogs and burned out stump holes. I keep my head down, very dim red light, and I turn the lamp off if I need or want to look up. I prefer hands free on my gun and light where I'm looking in the event of bears or hogs. Have had coyotes and hogs both do odd things in the dark. Every time I was quite glad I could see them. If the moon's out and I can get by without, no lamp. Soon as the blue glow starts that hour or so before sunrise, no lamp. In all the years I've chased these birds, I can only recall two times a headlamp might've cost me a bird and truthfully it would've likely happened either way as I just walked unknowingly under roosted birds and they flew.
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How about going in when it's "slightly" light out . Anybody here do this with success?
I use the LED lights that clip on your hat bill. I hate setting up and trying to get through thick brush when I can't see what I'm doing. I don't think using a light has kept me from killing turkeys.
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Quote from: shatcher on March 27, 2022, 11:13:09 AM
I'll do a quick shine at the base of the tree. The last thing I want to do is sit on a copperhead.
I do this a lot of times to. Maybe with just a red light but I like to know before I sit down. Mainly for hands if I'm setting stuff on the ground.
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I never use a flashlight unless needed like finding the wire fence or if I dropped something and when I do it is a green light cupped in my hand.
A little bit of common sense goes a long way but never jeopardize your safety.
I could never find a flashlight with a green lens that I liked and I got tired of looking for one, so I make my own. I'll buy a couple of green plastic file folders (they come in various colors) and I cut them to fit my lens.
I like to be as silent and as stealthy as I can. With that said I like to be standing on the edge of the woods where I am going to enter about an hour or so before daylight listening and allowing the woods to calm down. If I put one to roast the night before I'll be in the woods before daylight ready to go about 100 yds away from him.
I carry a flashlight, but rarely ever use it. It just grates on me from my years in the Corps...light integrity is important there, and I can't shake that. Turning on a light in the woods when walking in is like nails on the chalkboard. I let my eyes adjust, and walk slow and deliberate, and spook less birds than I would otherwise.
I use a green light, go in very early (2hrs) and try not to make much noise, which I am not good at being a walking accident and all. At one point in time the science said that turkey do not see green light, that has changed but I still use green as I think that is less obtrusive than a white light and we know they see red for sure so save those for deer season.
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 27, 2022, 09:49:20 AM
When you get right down to it, this is a common-sense issue. The considerations are such things as the light conditions you are walking under (full moon, no moon), the terrain type (flat, obstruction-free as compared to challenging topography with obstructions), and distance from the turkeys (and sight line to turkeys).
I can state for a fact that the folks that say they never use a flashlight going to turkeys on the roost are not hunting the same kind of country that I am hunting. Doing that here would be a great way to end up with a broken body part or a poked-out eye. On the other hand, though, is the understanding that once you get to a certain point in your approach, using a flashlight requires some level of discretion based on that "common sense" premise.
If you are planning on walking right up to the tree the gobbler is in while shining your flashlight up at him, you might as well beat a drum and whistle dixie as you are doing it. The results will be the same.... :angel9: :newmascot:
I agree with all that! If I've got a turkey roosted in woods I'll use my light to get in there but I keep it as dim as possible and keep it pointed toward the ground. I've often walked right under or past gobblers without even knowing they were there until they gobble. I've also spooked some of them. If they're on a field edge I can usually see well enough to not use a light. There's no guarantee in anything pertaining to turkeys.
I carry a small one but I very rarely use it on walk in unless I drop something or I need it for a second, however If I hunted where there was poisinous snakes,I probably would use it often, when I do use it I keep my fingers over the lens to allow just a tiny bit of light out.
If I hunted Where there are poisonous snakes I'd use a SEARCHLIGHT. :TrainWreck1:
I typically have a headlamp. Usually don't use it much because once my eyes adjust I can see good enough to navigate in the dark, on most nights anyways. However two years or so ago I was climbing up a steep mountain and had a large log to cross over. As I was straddling it I noticed a large lump that didn't look right on the same log. It was uphill from me so it skylighted nicely. I flipped my light on to red mode and it turned out to be a black bear sitting there looking at me and it seemed amused. I spoke to him quietly and kindly asked him if he would move so I could go through and he just stood up and walked off slowly. So I do think its nice to have a light handy even if it isn't used much.
I use a light as little as possible...
Rugged terrain and a long walk, I might use one with discretion...
Generally for my morning setups, I attempt to hunt an area that I know... Maybe use a logging road, or maybe a well-used deer or cattle trail to get to my spot.
No doubt that turkeys see that light... Red, green, blue... All these colors are in their spectrum of visibility (as are other wavelengths that are not in ours)... But they can also hear pretty good too. If you are stumbling and tromping around in the dark raising a ruckus, that will probably put them down as bad, if not worse than using minimal lighting to see where you are going.
I use a Flashlight. When it starts to break in the East-- I Turn it off. You step into a pothole on a access road in the pitch dark and tear up your Knee Tendons and Ligaments- you are in for Surgery and no Turkey hunting till next Spring.
More so with a Bike. Take a Flashlight. One Dude got in just ahead of me from the parking area on his Mountain Bike years back. He forgot about the Metal Locked Gate. BOOM!!! I walked my Bike up to that Gate to see this guy on the Ground and totally Stunned.
I take a Flashlight- period..
I have used a flashlight for many years, keep it pointed towards the ground, and besides, you can walk quieter in the dark with a light, then stumbling around with none.
Around my home woods I rarely need one. Traveling to new places, yeh I use one. I have a one cell AAA Maglite. I lost it in Fl this year and used a green light headlamp to get me close. Better than breaking a leg or getting a limb in the eye.
I use a red headlamp in total darkness. I also have a small LED handheld that I can hold in one hand and muffle the beam. I have unfortunately bumped birds off the roost with and without the use of light. Personally I think the benefits far out weigh the risk.