What kind of light do you use and brand ? Do you like the led white or green led better for night vision ?
I have both, one was from NWTF and other came from Cabela's. Have not seen a real difference performance wise and only really using until I get close to my hunting spot, then it's off and I move in. Haven't ever spooked a bird with either...
MK M GOBL
I prefer the moon and stars, don't want them to see me coming. If I absolutely need a light I have a cheap, dim headlamp with a red LED.
D) None of the above.
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I use the stylus streamlight green led from the other thread. I like the small bulb, you can barely see to creep thru the woods if you point it straight down. I can get closer to a roost tree with it vs. struggling in the dark, snapping small twigs, etc..
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
Prefer not to use any light at all. I do occasionally use a small led light with my fingers over the lens to give me just enough light to see were I am placing my feet. I have found that once my eyes adjust I can see well enough to get around. You haven't experienced dark until you have been a mile underground in a mine. That's dark!
Moonlight
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^^ What do you do on moonless nights, new moon periods or cloudy skies ? ^^
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
I have bad night vision and use a green Streamlight from time to time to keep me from crashing through the woods like I'm blindfolded. I carry it in my fist with my little finger wrapped around the bulb so I can regulate the amount of light it gives out. I haven't busted any birds from the roost in the 10 years I've been using it.
Jim
I hunt some areas with logging roads but also some that are THICK in spots. No way to get through quietly in the dark. Also, we have some of them there cotton-back rattle-moccasins and I'd rather not run up on one of them in the dark so sometimes I use a small flashlight and cover the lens up with my thumb.
I guess Tailwalk is like the wolfman on those moonlight nights...
When using a light, I keep the end covered as described above. Really only use it until I get near where I plan to listen for the morning gobbles. Rarely get a chance to roost birds in the evenings so getting to the roost tree isn't generally an issue for me.
I've been using green led for years of various makes & models. I just picked up a couple of these from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SIHI6WQ/ref=sr_ph_1?qid=1457065468&sr=sr-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=green+led+flashlight
I haven't deployed in the field yet, but test in the yard are very promising! Compact, and runs on one AA battery.
I know for a fact the green light does not spook deer, I've never had a problem with spooking turkeys, and it really aids with night vision. Where I hunt turkeys, it often requires 1/2 - 3/4 mile hike out a ridge / up a mountain. If I want to be there "on time", I have to go in the dark. When I get closer to my destination, I'm mindful to keep light to a minimum. I can't say whether turkeys see the green or not - but not spooking deer or tripping on rocks and logs is always a plus.
I could be totally off base here, but my experience of using lights has been negative... On those moonless nights with no light, and I do use a light, seems like the Rio's in my area are far less vocal when I have used a light.... I will do all I can to avoid using a light.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 03, 2016, 10:14:05 PM
When using a light, I keep the end covered as described above. Really only use it until I get near where I plan to listen for the morning gobbles. Rarely get a chance to roost birds in the evenings so getting to the roost tree isn't generally an issue for me.
I stretch a black sock over mine to further dim it down. Trick my mentor told me to do .
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We sneak in very early to get really tight on roosted birds and have a lot of success with that tactic.
I've never used a light to turkey hunt and never will. There is nothing natural a red or green light to a gobbler as a hunter sneaks inside 60 yards of a roosted bird.
I don't use no lights period, I prefer the bird not seeing me when I'm siting up on roosted birds of the mornings.
I dont use a light when sneaking in on a roosted gobbler--I get than reasoning 100%. However, to those of you that eschew the use of any light source when turking hunting, I'd invite you to hunt with me in the briar thickets, creek bluffs and stump hole riddled areas in N Mississippi---I'll let you lead the way.
Moonlight is usually all you need.
But Bowguy what if it overcast night with no moonlight..
All the places I hunt are so open, they're never completely dark, even on cloudy nights.
Was told a long time ago that deer don't see green/red as well.... I know turkey's do but still, my point is you can make whatever color light you want really easily by taking scotch tape and putting it over the lens. Then color it with green, red, black or whatever color sharpie you want, repeat the process because each layer makes the light dimmer. Saw this on a DIY channel where they use blue and red layers to simulate a black light to scan hotel rooms. :o I used to use the thumb over the light, but I'd inevitably screw up and cast a beam into the dark woods when I was putting my climber on a tree.
No light. If I know that I have to go through briers, swamp, nasty stuff, then I set my alarm an hour earlier so I can slow down a bit. Get up early, let your eyes get accustomed, take your time. No light needed
Quote from: BowBendr on March 03, 2016, 09:44:47 PM
^^ What do you do on moonless nights, new moon periods or cloudy skies ? ^^
I tend to stumble around a lot more. :help:
Currently on really dark mornings, I choose my locations accordingly... Maybe not as long of a walk through the woods, and picking locations close to dirt roads or trails that the birds use...
Dark mornings can provide for the opportunity to sneak a bit closer to the roost, but the noise made stumbling, falling, and cursing makes stealth difficult at times...
Picked this one up the other day since my other one vanished sometime during duck season(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160304/8b2302a46afe9f7bd3abdbac478816cd.jpg)
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Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2016, 12:47:06 PM
But Bowguy what if it overcast night with no moonlight..
I can honestly say I've used a light one time in prob the last 20 years. As farmboy said, get up earlier n go slow. You only need a light if you're afraid of the dark imo. I've gone through slowly feeling my way n do it for deer too. In the pitch black they won't see you so the darker the night is actually a blessing
I carry a steam light in the green color. While most early mornings I don't use it, it's when after your about to set up and hear another hunter approaching, I signal the intruder that someone else is already in this area. Think safety.... :gobble:
You guys are making me jealous! I've hunted the same mountain for 30 years, and I know it like the back of my hand. I also know briars, logs, and LOTS of rocks will cause all kinds of issues, noise, twisted ankles, etc. in the pitch black. Never been afraid of the dark, spent the night a time or two, but I can honestly say - I can't see like a deer! A mile long hike up & across a Pennsylvania mountain ridge QUIETLY is IMPOSSIBLE without a light source in my neck of the woods, I don't care if you start at midnight....
I'm with catdaddy on this one... I'll let you lead the way! ;D
Guess I should have been more specific . lol! The areas where I hunt, I only have a 200 -500 yard walk in in the dark. Yes, depending on which ridge I'm hunting, I have rocks, boulders, streams, swamps, briers, and other nasties to deal with. But if I was going a mile in I'd use a light half way or so
Quote from: SteelerFan on March 04, 2016, 05:19:53 PM
You guys are making me jealous! I've hunted the same mountain for 30 years, and I know it like the back of my hand. I also know briars, logs, and LOTS of rocks will cause all kinds of issues, noise, twisted ankles, etc. in the pitch black. Never been afraid of the dark, spent the night a time or two, but I can honestly say - I can't see like a deer! A mile long hike up & across a Pennsylvania mountain ridge QUIETLY is IMPOSSIBLE without a light source in my neck of the woods, I don't care if you start at midnight....
I'm with catdaddy on this one... I'll let you lead the way! ;D
If you hike in that far the birds can't see you the whole way. You could use a light for part of that n the birds wouldn't see you anyway. Every piece of woods has rocks, sticks, etc n we aren't the only animal to hit em. Key is imo for the last part of the walk, especially if you want to get close, to do it in the dark. If you step on a branch or something to make noise you simply stop. Being you're early this extra time won't matter. If you're way works for you stay with it but I'm 48 n don't have the best eyes anymore. Certainly not eyes of a deer. Going slow and feeling your way in works wonders. Try it sometime, you might be surprised. For you guys who need someone to show ya, just invite me to your local birds, I'll lead the way to em!
Good luck in whichever you chosen method is.
Quote from: Bowguy on March 04, 2016, 05:34:56 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on March 04, 2016, 05:19:53 PM
You guys are making me jealous! I've hunted the same mountain for 30 years, and I know it like the back of my hand. I also know briars, logs, and LOTS of rocks will cause all kinds of issues, noise, twisted ankles, etc. in the pitch black. Never been afraid of the dark, spent the night a time or two, but I can honestly say - I can't see like a deer! A mile long hike up & across a Pennsylvania mountain ridge QUIETLY is IMPOSSIBLE without a light source in my neck of the woods, I don't care if you start at midnight....
I'm with catdaddy on this one... I'll let you lead the way! ;D
If you hike in that far the birds can't see you the whole way. You could use a light for part of that n the birds wouldn't see you anyway. Every piece of woods has rocks, sticks, etc n we aren't the only animal to hit em. Key is imo for the last part of the walk, especially if you want to get close, to do it in the dark. If you step on a branch or something to make noise you simply stop. Being you're early this extra time won't matter. If you're way works for you stay with it but I'm 48 n don't have the best eyes anymore. Certainly not eyes of a deer. Going slow and feeling your way in works wonders. Try it sometime, you might be surprised. For you guys who need someone to show ya, just invite me to your local birds, I'll lead the way to em!
Good luck in whichever you chosen method is.
Well said!!
Quote from: Bowguy on March 04, 2016, 05:34:56 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on March 04, 2016, 05:19:53 PM
You guys are making me jealous! I've hunted the same mountain for 30 years, and I know it like the back of my hand. I also know briars, logs, and LOTS of rocks will cause all kinds of issues, noise, twisted ankles, etc. in the pitch black. Never been afraid of the dark, spent the night a time or two, but I can honestly say - I can't see like a deer! A mile long hike up & across a Pennsylvania mountain ridge QUIETLY is IMPOSSIBLE without a light source in my neck of the woods, I don't care if you start at midnight....
I'm with catdaddy on this one... I'll let you lead the way! ;D
If you hike in that far the birds can't see you the whole way. You could use a light for part of that n the birds wouldn't see you anyway. Every piece of woods has rocks, sticks, etc n we aren't the only animal to hit em. Key is imo for the last part of the walk, especially if you want to get close, to do it in the dark. If you step on a branch or something to make noise you simply stop. Being you're early this extra time won't matter. If you're way works for you stay with it but I'm 48 n don't have the best eyes anymore. Certainly not eyes of a deer. Going slow and feeling your way in works wonders. Try it sometime, you might be surprised. For you guys who need someone to show ya, just invite me to your local birds, I'll lead the way to em!
Good luck in whichever you chosen method is.
Agree 100%
Yep, when I'm within what I think is the "zone" of where I know or believe the birds to be, I'll go blackout mode. And yes, you can pick your way to a set up spot. But... I'm using the light to cover the first 80%! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: catdaddy on March 04, 2016, 12:20:09 PM
I dont use a light when sneaking in on a roosted gobbler--I get than reasoning 100%. However, to those of you that eschew the use of any light source when turking hunting, I'd invite you to hunt with me in the briar thickets, creek bluffs and stump hole riddled areas in N Mississippi---I'll let you lead the way.
+1
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I like a streamlight stylus in green. It's small and fairly dim. I try to use it wisely and sparingly
I have a light that clips on the bill of my cap. It's a green LED also. Like Steelersfan, I usually have a long walk up and down these West Virginia hills and a light makes it easier and quieter. I turn it off when I get close to my setup spot.
Cheap energizer red-white head lamp from Walmart.
Hands free is nice, I always go in way too early for most.
Go slow, take your time. When I get to where I'm gonna listen for the gobbling to start its a good 30 mins before daylight or gobble time. I'm not one for getting right in their lap, early season 100-200 yards on set ups, late season as close as terrain and foliage allows.
Give everything time to settle down, I don't know how many times I've walked right pass birds on my way in. Never seemed to affect the birds, taken several I've walked past in the morning.
I mostly hunt public land too. Animals move under those turkeys all night. Just go slow, keep your red or green light pointed down and you'll be fine. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160306/06888570e3646d66a24cf9d6b140f6ee.jpg)
Yeah, Gobblers hear real good and see even better (in the daylight) but 35+ years of killing turkeys has taught me one thing.... They're just a BIRD!! :funnyturkey: Not some mystical, magical opponent who is smarter than (most) of us that pursue him.
I doubt they know a flashlight from an owl fart, but certainly will be alerted by the stumbling, falling and cursing of hunter who just twisted his ankle or poked a branch in his eye!! :z-dizzy: I look too forward to the season, I won't take the chance of missing any of it by getting hurt unnecessarily. Myself, I always use a small red light clipped to my hat brim for hands-free travel and safety.
I wonder though... If you know where your birds are roosted, why are you getting close enough to let a little flashlight glow spook them? And, if you don't know where the birds are roosted, why are you stumbling around in your hunting area in the dark- light or no light? Hmmm....
My advice: Hunt hard, have fun, and always hunt SAFE, especially if you're carrying a loaded firearm!
(Rant over, blood sugar low... Going to go have a snack now!) :character0029:
Use one all you want. I simply stated that I get by with taking my time. I know my hunting area intimately and know that some places take me longer in the dark so I adjust. In 20 years of hiking the woods and ridges in the dark I've never injured myself (or cursed loud enough for game to hear!). As far as stumbling around when you don't know where the birds are, lots of times I don't locate a bird the night before but know the general area they will be. So I go dark! Works for me. If it's not your way so be it. Just don't act like I'm an idiot doing something dangerous because you use a light and I don't.
Whoa Farmboy... No personal attack meant here. Just giving my opinion as you were and using some analogies to support my reasonings.
I've hunted all over the country and beyond and most times don't have the advantage of being familiar with the terrain. Whatever works for you, good hunting!
I see very well in the dark so I rarely use a light at all.
But when a small limb in the eye is a threat or for some other reason I have to use a light, I carry an Ozark Trail (a.k.a. WalMart made in china) white LED light 175 or 200 lumens. So it's very bright but in a very small, durable aluminum package...........and inexpensive, too.
I generally put it inside my closed fist and just let "cracks" of light out on to the ground.
Works for me.
Some places you need a light. If I can go without, I do. But in middle Tn many areas have large rocks that suddenly drop off or have cracked open 6 inches or so. Not to mention sever terrain differences and sink holes which can open up from going out one time to the next. Considering a broken leg or falling 1000ft into a cave would probably ruin my hunt more than the chance of bumping a bird I'll opt for a light if u can't see. Usually don't need one if just working fields. I'm not sure why this is an argument it's easy. I'll provide a good guide below:
I can't see = use flashlight
I can see = don't use flashlight
Problem solved :D
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As a kid when I did use a light the cracks of light through the fingers thing was something I did. I'll bet being all the differences there may be varying amounts of pressure. I'd think the more the pressure the smarter the birds seem
I carry a small headlamp. When I need to see to navigate I turn it on. When I can see to navigate it's turned off. Rough terrain and snakes are a given here. It's a long ruff climb to reach the top where the ridge tops are. Spooking a turkey ain't worth me injuring myself. They's plenty more around to find another one.
Sent from the barrel of a model 70 at 3300 fps
After stumbling around in the dark and stepping into a hole or tripping on a rock or root, nice to have a flash light handy to help you find all your stuff scattered around the woods and put band-aids on your palms.
Lol! :icon_thumright:
I dont really use a light for turkey hunting