Haha that's exactly what I think is goin on in my head but I probably sound more like the second example. As far as getting over being in the dark just have your route planned out so you'll know exactly what your gonna run into and until you kinda get used to it walk in open fields if possible, may not be best option bit on most night once you adjust to the dark you'll be able to see somewhat and my calm your nerves.
I usually have a head lamp on with the green LED in the woods. Unless There is enough moon or it is an old path that I've cleared. Not much in Kentucky to be worried about.......except for Banjo music.
Probably the scariest thing out there really...even if you have spooked them out before and know almost right away what it is it will still get your attention. around here I would say the most dangerous thing would be to step on a copperhead in the dark, thats if you didnt step off a bluff or in a hole if you wasnt familiar with the area. I been spending time in the woods doing one thing or another almost 50 years and I can tell you for certain the worst thing out there is chiggers and the next worst thing is ticks. Thats the only thing out there thats laying for you and WILL hop out there and GET you. everything else would just as soon avoid you if it has a choice.
To be honest, I don't do morning hunts so I never have to find my way in the dark before the sun, heading in after dark I just look for the barn light thru the woods.
my nerves get going on occasion when going in in the dark. I have to go 2.5 miles by bike then walk .75 mile up hill to a 200 acre clearcut. there are bears and I mean a lot of bears. they take out 15-20 bears every year during bear season. coyotes don't bother me. I guess it is the whole feeling of being alone way back there and what if something should happen to me. I try to make sure a buddy knows where I am at if I need help. I think for psychological purposes I should carry a pistol just to trick my brain that I have an equalizer (not that it would help in the dark). I have had a bear climb up my tree so I know that some bears aren't afraid of people. as for lights I always carry a light. mostly so I don't step on a skunk! almost did that also.
It doesn't bother me anymore but sure did when I was younger. Outside of grizz country, when is the last time you heard of a hunter being attacked in the dark on the way to their stand. Turn your headlamp on and put in some ear plugs or even some tunes, that way you can't hear any of those noises that might freak you out.......or at the very least you wont hear your demise coming until it attacks you
I don't care for the dark by myself either. I have been rifle deer hunting for 18 years with family. As the woman of the group and having crappy directional skills, my dad or my brother have always walked me to my stand. Now that I am on my 2nd year of bow hunting, I have to walk in and out in the dark, by myself. Walking in in the morning isn't quite as bad being I know it'll get light (although I still don't like it). Walking out at night is the worst for me. It's so bad that I have a hard time forcing myself to sit as late as I should. I use a flashlight and carry my sidearm but it still doesn't make that walk any easier for me! For me, it's really not much of a fear of animals in the woods. Seeing more and more wolves in my area hasn't helped but my biggest fear is running into another person I'm the woods. My imagination goes straight to horror movies.
Its never bothered me too bad. One time i just got settled into my stand and it was probably an hour and half before sunrise... have you ever heard two racoons fight to the death within 20 yds of you??? I almost soiled myself.
Someone I know... was walking out from his hunting area back to the truck in the dark with his climbing stand on his back when he realized something was following him. He could hear it shuffling in the leaves behind him. This was way back in the day when the Mini Maglight was high tech but in reality only offered about as much light as a birthday candle. This person I know stopped and spun around shining the little flashlight through the woods trying to see what sort of creature was trailing him through the darkness. Not seeing anything he set out again listening intently for this critter following. Sure enough there it was, right behind him the sound of the crisp fall leaves being disturbed by this demon of the night was clear as Sunday bells. A quick spin and shine with the light revealed nothing... nothing at all. Spooky... He stepped more quickly trying to out pace this thing that was stalking him so adeptly. There it is again! An athletic stop and spin move and quick thrust of the mini light beam! And finally there, the source of the sound was revealed - about 10' of pull up cord was slithering out of a pocket on his pack which was slung on the climbing tree stand on his back and trailed out now rustling in the dry leaves behind him. Dang I felt foolish, errrr.... I mean this other guy felt foolish!!!
http://www.lapolicegear.com/st-6130...aWCKe1MANaKskwPQIchKWHGX0K71jRsSmERoCOKfw_wcB I have this sucker, and when you want to light up the woods...and I mean light up the woods, just push the button....540 lumens blasts out.....it has to additional lower setting also...its a great lamp, plus you can adjust the beam up an down Creeks
I hate the dark!! I hate it in general. Probably due to my older brother who liked to lock me in closets, basements and any other dark place where he could beat on doors or make noises to freak me out. I try not to use my light because when I do I can only see where the light is. Letting my eyes get acclimated to the dark allows me to see as much as I want. If I do need like I shut my dominant eye as to retain some night vision. But I do always keep a super bright light in my hand on a lanyard for emergencies. I never knew how important lanyard were until I took a lowlight pistol class.
im 17 years old and im still a little freaked out with the dark. i just get it done though. no other way around it. there is no way id trade the last ten minutes of light in the stand to get up and walk out. no way. people worry about coyotes. yeah they freak me out too, but ive never really heard of coyote attacks. i may be ignorant though.
Wow, I didnt expect all the responses on this topic. Definately enjoying them all. I'm surprised some people dont even hunt mornings. I honestly would never miss my mornings especially during the rut. When I was younger I always said the evening hunts were better but my dad said that would change when you get older lol. Thats when you can get the big boys being 5 mins too late.
I have been freaked out twice in the dark, once was on opening day in VA about 5 years ago. I made it to my stand about an hour before daylight and immediately heard something walking my way. It followed my footsteps all the way to the base of my tree and started to go around the tree as if it was looking for me. As black as it was, I couldn't make out any shapes at all and even though I'm not afraid of bears, there had been one on the property recently so it was on my mind. Finally curiosity (fear) got the best of me and I turned on my flashlight to see the "beast" that was under the stand...a spike buck that was curious to know what I was! LOL! The other time I freaked out little was walking through a pasture and the cows followed me closely. They never did that before so it was a little eerie. I saw that they are responsible for more deaths per year than sharks so maybe I was justified in being freaked out! LOL!
It's natural for humans to be nervous in the dark it's the way we've evolved as a species. You can say it's almost a defense mechanism. Take away a humans most important sense and of course your mind will play tricks on you.
