I know red light does not spook deer and varmits but I was wondering about turkeys because I hunt alot out of my blind around fields and the turkeys sometimes roost around the field edge.Anyone know?I just bought a Black Diamond headlamp and I was gonna use it this turkey season.
I honestly don't know, but it has always been my understanding that birds see the full color spectrum just like we do, so I'm guessing they can see it. Whether or not it would spook them, I couldn't say. Neill
Neill,I bet your right about turkeys seeing colors like humans,I bet they would be scared of the red light!
Red or Green = No
I prefer a green light myself.
Been using a green head lamp for years and I've walked right under roosted birds several times without spooking them.
If it does spook them, I would think be the movement of the light and not the light it's self.
most of the time i dont like useing a light at all unless im in new territory. i have needed one from time to time and been scared to use it. my cell phone has a small light on it and if i need a light i'll turn it on and cup my hand over it to show just enough light to see
but id like to have a way of seeing without haveing to do fumble around with a phone im goin to check on a red/green light
Nope
No light for me. Too worried about spooking roosted birds.
I don't think the light would spook them but I do think it might get their attention. The spooking part probably happens because of people stumbling through the woods who happen to be carrying a light. I don't use a one only because I don't get started as early as some of you.
Quote from: guesswho on January 11, 2012, 07:01:39 PM
I don't think the light would spook them but I do think it might get their attention. The spooking part probably happens because of people stumbling through the woods who happen to be carrying a light. I don't use a one only because I don't get started as early as some of you.
I agree. I can't say if i have ever spooked a turkey with a light--it's the stumbling under the roost that gets them and then the light gets blamed.
Quote from: catdaddy on January 11, 2012, 09:32:37 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 11, 2012, 07:01:39 PM
I don't think the light would spook them but I do think it might get their attention. The spooking part probably happens because of people stumbling through the woods who happen to be carrying a light. I don't use a one only because I don't get started as early as some of you.
I agree. I can't say if i have ever spooked a turkey with a light--it's the stumbling under the roost that gets them and then the light gets blamed.
Exactly... I have used a green light for years and honestly cannot count how many times I have walked under or past a roost tree with birds in it and never had a bird spook because of a light.
I was told years ago that turkeys can't see very good at night. I am here to tell you that turkeys can see in the dark. I walk outside at night and a few of my turkeys flydown in the cage. They also don't like it when I take my flashlight out there. BTW did you know that a turkey sticks his head under his wing at night when they sleep? It's pretty hard to see any light when their head is under their wing. So if his head is not under his wing I think he will see the light and maybe even spook.
TRKYHTR
After years of seeing myself and others rush through the woods with a really bright light running everything off I decided that there has to be a better way.
The first year I was experimenting I tried using no light at all, sort of feeling my way through the mountains or waiting until I barely had enough light to see enough to get around.
The second year I bought a very small green light and a also carried a very dim, small mag light. This time I would get up earlier than I needed and really took my time heading to my stands. Focus was to be as quiet as I could and use as little light as possible.
I've stuck with the latter and see more game right at daylight than I ever did in the past and seem to have better success early than anyone I hunt with.
I mostly hunt state land and you'd be amazed at the people I see crashing through the woods a mile away with what appears to be a spotlight strapped to their heads.
(EDIT: sorry, forgot to mention, the above applies mostly to deer and bear.)
i know my brother has spooked em off the roost an hour before day light and he was in a field looking for a dang dead fall to setup inbut we still had a good hunt though
I've been using a green light for years and never had a bird spook from it.
Don't know, never seen one at the Ophthalmologist.
This is my understanding to the use of red or green lights. The birds do see the light but it is difficult for them to tell how far away or close the light source is.
I kind of agree with this. When I look at a red cell tower light at night it is harder for me to judge the distance to the light source.
John
I just fugured their like me. They have no fear of Red lights until Blue lights show up behind them.
I do not know about the lights but I do not use any light.
I use moonlight and starlight to get set up by, you would be suprised at how much you can see if you let your eyes adjust to the light.
I practice with my equiptment and can set up pretty easy in the dark.
I have 2 or 3 sites figured out before I start and if someone is there before me I just move on to the next site.
I hunt public land and am usually the first one in the parking lot.
I've spooked 'em with lights and without. But when that's happened, I've been so close I had to change my underwear!
I rarely, if ever use lights of any kind. I always try to get there early if I have to walk through timber. Turkeys may not fly away from the roost, even if you walk right underneath them, but come sunup they will gobble then pitch the other way. (I know there's always exceptions) If you stumble through the dark woods you may alert them, but they hear cows, possums, coyotes, raccoons, etc making a lot of noise when they traipse through the timber so they are not that scared by it. None of those critters have lights of any color. Even if I make them a little uneasy, I am set up so early they forget about those weird noises come sunup.
You may be able to do it and get away with it, but I would rather not risk spooking the only birds in the area.
My headlamp has 2 white lights and one red. I've been using the red for years with no problems. It puts out just enough light for me to make my way through the woods without sounding like a herd of elephants.
I try not to use a light at all. If needed I use one with a cupped hand over it.
I don't have a clue. I do know they don't like shotgun wielding stumps sitting on the edge of a field sometimes. ;D