No hat light for me, I wear a beanie anyway. I typically haven't used a light in years past on other properties but this year I have been using my cell phone light out of safety. I have my path memorized by certain trees and it's not a far walk but there's just too many wild critters and sink holes on my new property to walk around in the dark.
For the most part no, but if I am in a unfamiliar area and I have to I will....keep it small and sensible and your fine.
I don't use one if I'm going to an field edge, but if I'm going through a timber at all I turn a headlamp on. Mostly to stay quiet. Also, so I don't fall down. Live in the hills and fell down twice walking out of timber with no light before I decided the light was the way to go.
I wear a headlamp on the way in.. it has white and red lights.. the red light is a lil less bright and i use that
I hated em, It would mess me up going to a nasty thick place, I just couldnt get used to it! Ill tota a hand held light but do sometimes use a head light when setting up things in the stand so my hands are free!
I also use push pin reflective markers to find my way in the thick stuff. I have a tough time finding anything without a light and a few reflectors.
I have to attach a climber stand so I use a light and I have been caught by deer a couple times. They have spooked and didn't see another deer the rest of the day.... I enjoy hunting afternoon sessions for that sole purpose I believe I have been spooking deer with it. Also I am hunting small small acres in Illinois, I feel like these deer are not used to anyone there and when there is a light at 5am... they know something is up so they cross the road into the larger 90 acres and never return....
Now that would have been a cover scent that you would have remembered for a while. I seldom use a light going in or out but I have a hat clip light and small handheld that I keep in my bag
I use a white head lamp and on my cap when I get close to the stand I have a red light. My next time out I'm putting up reflector tacks so I can find my way better!
i have three lights in my pack one is a primos blood hunter and one aa hand heald and a green head lamp. i only use the green headlamp for walking in to the stand if i need it. otherwise i dont use a flashlight.