I just do a simple test. Draw my bow back and if I can't see my pin clearly or whats in my sight housing I am done hunting or yet to begin. My eyes aren't the best anyways, usually this occurs about 20 minutes after sunset if I'm in the woods and not on a field edge. Lighted nocks help a ton too, I've shot a few deer right before this time period and havnig a lighted nock was awesome!
this happened to me last saturday. right before dark a doe came in. i could still see my pin and through my peep. i could see where i was aiming and took the shot. i didnt find too much blood so we went back in the morning and she was less that 60 yards from the tree. if you dont feel good about taking the shot dont. you owe it to the animal to make a clean quick kill.
I hunt afternoons, but no where near as much as the morning. I just like morning hunts better. I think I've only killed 1 deer in the afternoon come to think of it and it was early in the afternoon. If the opportunity comes, I'd have to agree with everyone else in that I would have to be able to easily see my pins, the vitals, and see where the arrow hits.
How do they help? I know they look cool and maybe help with knowing where you hit but how do they help with aiming?
I like hunting brush, so its not so much as can i see the pins as it is can i see the small twigs around me? i have came out many times where i could see my pins just fine, but not the small branches, twigs etc.
If I can see my pins and my target I will shoot. I don't really worry about seeing where the arrow hits. That always gets me in trouble as I tend to focus on watching my arrow versus concentrating on my sight picture.
Never have I not saw my arrow In flight. Use lanterns. Flashlights are nothing compared to that of a lantern. Not even close.
I start seeing my arrow on shots beyond around 25 yards or so... in bright sunlight... which is getting beyond what I will shoot anymore. Getting old stinks but I guess it beats the alternative...
I have no hesitation about shooting a deer towards dark as long as I can see the deer well and my peep/sight. As said before, I usually try to listen more than watch. I've always had an idea of what direction the deer went though from sight. If you can't see well enough to know which way your deer runs then you shouldn't have shot.
"Use lanterns. Flashlights are nothing compared to that of a lantern. Not even close." Really? I never thought about it. Any particular type of lantern? I was glad to start using the brighter LED lights rather than the trusty old mag lights. However mag lights make a great weapon if need be!
Illuminated sight and nock will give ya some time. If I cant focus on a tree at say, 40yds, I wont shoot and Ill pack it up.
i wouldnt shoot a big buck at dusk just in fear of losing it, making a bad shot, and not being able to track at night. still i would rather not shoot any deer in low light because im scared of homeless people that wander around my parts, so for me a low light shot is a no no
Dawn? Dusk? What some people think is dusk or dawn is subjective. IMO you can't use that. I go by legal hunting hours not what I might think is 1/2 hour before dawn or after dusk. WI regs show to the minute legal shooting hours for each day. I've found its actually pretty close with its times being able to see to take a possible shot while sitting in the woods. Of course in early season with the leaves still up I sit to legal closing time and then get out and walk to an open field and can still see good in the field.
Agreed on the dawn dusk thing .... NY only allows dawn and dusk, so it is still light before its legal
hahahaha no but zombies would be scary too, where i hunt on long island there is alot of gangs, druggies, and homeless people, and on some of the properties there are temporary homeless people houses made from tarps and stuff, thats my biggest fear because i once got a homeless guy on my trail cam sooooo scary, i dont hunt that property anymore the guy looked like a warewolf/ zombie/ heroine addict!
If I can't see my pins and the deer clearly I won't shoot. Especially if its last light and there's rain in the forecast. It doesnt have anything to do with being able to see where the deer runs off to. It's just not right to put an arrow in an animal if you can't make a clean shot. Learned that the hard way.
Had this happen last night. Two does came in at last light, right at my furthest yardage I would typically shoot. They were up wind of me in a wide open bean field and had no idea I was there. Long story short, they got the pass. Just not worth it in my eyes. Keep in mind I have to shoot a doe first to be able to shoot a buck. The urge is definately there, but you just have to wise up in situations like that. I respect the deers life to much to take a marginal shot like that. Trust me though, I want to put a doe down really bad! I feel like a better hunter though because of my decision. I slept easy last night by not having a wounded deer in the woods.
Here's a couple links. This Is the one I have- http://www.coleman.com/product/delu.../2000004176?contextCategory=1010#.UFygGVGD83w This might be my next one as I think It's one of the brightest ones out there- http://www.coleman.com/product/nort.../2000004422?contextCategory=1010#.UFyhKFGD83w Beams are nice to have with too as you can look ahead much farther when tracking. We always usually carry a big beam with too.
