Well I got off my ATV and his buddy was rattling 10 yards away so thats where my attention was. Took a couple steps and felt something squirm under my foot. I then screamed like a woman (hunting buddy swears he heard a mountian lion that morning:d ), jumped back, said a few choice words,and pooped myself. Just a little though He was only about a 2 footer, I don't know who left the area quicker, me or him
:hijack: But that was better than the time I stepped on the copperhead hog hunting. Buddy had to shoot it out from between my feet. It was coiled up ready to strike and my friend said "don't move" then shot 1/2 a second later. He most likely saved my life. That one still give me nightmares. :hijack: over
I usually use one but i cup my hand over it and keep it aimed almost straight down, ocassionally shinning ahead if i need my bearings. some of my woods you HAVE to have one. Old Strip mine ground can be very tricky in the dark.
i personally dont mind walking in the dark..but if the area is a little new to me...or i am in a place where i have spotted predators(cougar,wolf,coyote,bobcat,fisher) you can expect to see me have a flashlight on the ready.
Every situation is different. I may use one or not, I may use it part of the way or may only use it once I get to the tree if needed. My early morning hunts now usually consist of me sitting in the truck until it is just light enough to see/shoot and then "hunting" my way in. I don't get to see those deer feeding through 1hr.to 30 min. before shooting time like I use to but hey, I couldn't shoot them anyway I feel more confident about not spooking anything on the way in and maybe catch one getting back up for a mid/late morning stretch or a bite to eat after I've been settled for a few hours:d Same thing about coming back out at night...sometimes I do, sometimes I don't...depends on where I am and who/what may see a light.
I drive my Bad Boy Buggy all the way up to my stand. In the winter, I don't like to let my feet touch the ground (mud and cold), so sometimes, i just hop straight from the driver's seat and onto the bottom step of my shooting house. My dad wakes me up when he sees a deer coming, and I shoot it.
I bet the King has a heater/ac unit, frigerator, coffee pot, and satellite tv in his stand Only the best for the King:d
when I was in the army we had to maintain noise and light discipline in the field (I was Infantry), I got in the habit of being in the woods without a light, but I always arrived and was out of my truck without a light for at least 30mins before I began my hike, gives the eyes time to adjust... I'm a believer in no lights unless necessary, on my way in I won't use one, on the way out I might if I'm draggin a deer with me....
And an endless supply of whoppers :evil: Im like most of you guys, i only use a light when i feel like it. Now that i won that badass tracking LED light at the G2G though, ill be using one more :d
I'm lucky I can find my stand in the morning with a light let alone without. I'm a total stumbleclown in the morning. Evenings I can get away without one in most cases.
I always use a light and a bright one at that.Other wise I would be tripping all over rocks and blow downs and other obstacles.Rather get to where I am going quickly and safely.
I value my eyesight too much to NOT use one. I've been poked in the eye and will ALWAYS use a light. It's quieter and deer cannot distinguish distance to lights. The key is to not flash it around in the air, keep it low on the ground. If your going to spook them with a light, you would have already spooked them with your presence. I use a green Stream Lite Pen. Works perfectly, low light, not seen by deer and last forever.
I get to my stand early enough that a light is no big deal. Rob I also use green light that attaches to my hat.
