The success of any business directly depends on the quality of preparation. Night hunting is no exception. During its implementation, a large amount of equipment is used, among which it is worth highlighting a flashlight. This light source helps to navigate in the dark and detect potential prey.
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Types of lights every night hunter needs
On a night hunt, it is impossible to do without a flashlight. It is needed even in cases where the hunter has the opportunity to use modern equipment that allows him to see at night. There are 5 main types of lights. All of them have their own characteristics and are used under certain circumstances.
Handheld lights
Portable flashlights have rightfully earned huge popularity among hunters. They are convenient to use, as they are compact and light in weight. In most cases, experts recommend taking several of these flashlights with you at once, emitting light of different colors. So it will be possible to use lighting devices while tracking different types of animals. Ideally, you should put in a backpack and a simple portable model with a standard white light. It will be useless during the hunt, but will help illuminate the area in case of unforeseen situations (for example, leaving a familiar path, meeting dangerous predators, etc.).
Portable flashlights are convenient because they do not take up much space in the backpack and their transportation, as well as wearing them for a long time, does not become a problem for the user. Lighting devices of this type also have a drawback. It consists in not the greatest power, due to which it is possible to illuminate only a small area of the area. In addition, the minimum dimensions of the case do not make it possible to place powerful power supplies. In this regard, the device will not be able to work offline for a very long time.
Weapon light attachments
The presence of a compact hand-held flashlight will not help while aiming and making shots. Therefore, a hunter’s backpack must also contain weapon light attachments. These devices are specially designed to be installed on different types of weapons and their use greatly simplifies the task of the shooter. Models of this type allow you to illuminate the area at which the hunter directs his rifle. This makes it easier to find living beings in the dark. Also, the use of such a device allows you to reduce the time interval between target detection and firing.
Weapon light attachments are universal flashlights. Almost all manufactured models provide for the possibility of supplementing the design with a special nozzle. It will allow the hunter to quickly change the color of the emitted rays and adapt to changing external conditions. Whether you are hunting with a shotgun or a rifle, there are lots of firearm accessories on the market that can help you attach your light to the gun.
Headlamps
A flashlight that can be mounted on the head or headgear is an indispensable thing on the hunt. With it, you can free your hands and do a lot of important work with them (for example, load a weapon, aim, shoot, and more). This versatility makes head models useful in a variety of environments and suitable for tracking almost any animal.
Headlamps are great when moving through a dark forest in search of potential prey. In most cases, they illuminate the road well and do not reduce the hunter’s ability to maneuver in order to bypass various natural obstacles. An important feature of many models is their versatility. This maximizes the user’s capabilities and makes it possible to use the devices even for demanding specialists in their field. The only drawback of headlamps is their high cost compared to portable models.
Feeder lights
For professional hunters, feeder lights will be especially useful. They are often used in areas where it is legal to use bait while hunting. Such light sources constantly emit rays of a certain color, to which a potential victim quickly gets used. As a result, the hunter gets a good aiming point, and the unsuspecting animal gets into the line of fire. An important advantage of the device is the ability to illuminate the area without the use of hands. This will give the user a chance to keep an eye on potential loot and do other work (such as reloading weapons) at the same time.
There are several varieties of such lamps. Some of them are installed directly above the place of arrangement of the feeder, others are fixed on the tree, and still others are located near the hunter and direct the light towards the place where the bait is laid. Each of these models is suitable for hunting certain animals. There are also universal devices that can meet the needs of any user.
Feeder lights are quite complex devices. Often they are supplemented by various sensors (most often motion sensors) and have several modes of operation. Also in the design there are energy sources that allow the flashlight to function offline for a long time.
Blood tracking lights
This type of hunting lantern is designed to search for a wounded animal as a result of a shot. With their help, it is possible to detect traces of blood on the ground and use them to find the direction of movement of the victim. The effectiveness of such lighting devices depends on many factors. Therefore, under some conditions, a flashlight will allow you to see clear traces of blood, and under others – only difficult to distinguish pale spots.
Blood tracking is advisable to use in winter, spring, summer. In autumn, this device will not provide the user with the opportunity to examine blood drops in detail, since there will be many red leaves on the ground during this period. Against their background, the blood will become almost invisible even if an expensive and effective flashlight is used.
What is the best color light to not spook animals?
The use of flashlights helps to quickly locate hidden animals. At the same time, for the latter, it is practically invisible, which is why the risk of frightening off the found representative of the fauna is minimized. There are many color variations, each of which is suitable for hunting certain animals. If you take flashlights with inappropriate light, then there will be very little chance of successfully completing the event.
Optimal shades for different occasions:
- Deer. This mammal is a popular hunting object in many countries of the world. It is known for its tasty and healthy meat, as well as horns, which can be a good trophy and decorate the wall of any room. To shoot this artiodactyl, it is recommended to use flashlights with red light. Deer practically do not distinguish it, so the rays of this color will not frighten the mammal and make it run away from its place.
- Coyote. This small predator often becomes the main target of hunters. The latter appreciate him for his quick reaction, excellent sense of smell and the ability to distinguish objects even in complete darkness. Because of this, hunting a representative of the Canine family is always interesting. To increase the chances of success, it is recommended to choose a soft light that does not irritate the coyotes and cause them to hide in the undergrowth. Diffused red or chiseled white will be optimal.
- Wild boars. These mammals have excellent eyesight and distinguish many shades. Therefore, for hunting them, you can use models that emit almost any light. At the same time, experts recommend choosing green, as it will provide an opportunity to examine the animal well and aim accurately.
- Representatives of the cat family. When tracking animals from this family, red and green colors are equally effective. They give a good look at the potential victim and exclude the possibility of her fear.
- Foxes, wolves. Both mammals are used to trusting their sense of smell rather than sight. Therefore, models that exude soft light of any shade are suitable for hunting them. With their help, the target will become clearly visible and it will be quite easy to make an accurate shot.
A flashlight is an indispensable attribute for lovers of active pastime. It is used by travelers, athletes, fishermen and hunters. The latter especially revere this device, as it allows you to navigate in a dark forest and quickly find animals suitable for shooting. In order not to frighten off potential prey, you need to choose the right flashlight. If you manage to do this, then the chances of a successful completion of the hunt will increase to the maximum.
