What color Hunting Light do you use?

I can't see worth a crap with red. The best method I have found is to place a bright white flashlight into the palm of my hand and completely close off as much light as I can. Then I loosen my grip to let the white light seep through my fingers on the ground in front of me. I don't like headlamps except for gutting deer in the dark. This method has worked pretty good for me so far


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Feel free to disagree, but lights in the woods just are not a "normal occurrence" in a deer's world, twigs snapping are. Other deer/animals make twigs snap, but other deer/animals are never the origin of a light. Keep using one if you have the need.

 

I think I am going to have to agree with Justin on this. The deer might not be able to see the light but its not logical to assume they can't see you. Especially if they can see their surroundings. Also they can certainly hear whats going on.

The light for me is more of a safety concern than a not scaring deer concern. A deer that runs off might come back later but a broadhead or a bullet to the chest might be permanent.

 

I have seen a bunch of research over the years and everyone says they are right. The only color they can agree on that deer see is blue. I will stick to what works for me. I would love to know if the green laser works in other parts of the country like it does for us down here.

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Lights are a daily occurrence in their world - just look up into the sky or along the horizon at houses, cars, etc.

Yes a twig snapping is a natural occurrence, but I'm confident you've been in the woods plenty long enough to see a deer's reaction to the sounds of another deer, squirrel or other animal snapping twigs versus a human. It's night and day. The first snap usually gets their attention, the following noise tells them if it's friend or foe.

The point of my posts was simply that I don't personally believe the use of one color light over another, or simply the use of a light at all, has any affect on how many deer you will see during your hunt.

 

I use red because it preserves my night vision. Otherwise, it don't matter.

 

I usually use white to walk to stand and green once in the stand getting stuff ready. I don't see the need to use red to preserve my night vision b/c its not like I'm going to be cutting off the light to take a shot in the dark. Its off well before shooting time.

 

Yes but you're a human, not a deer. That's my whole point.

 

Ya, not trying to shoot in the dark but I prefer to see as much as I can without the light. Also I can see the stars...rainbows and butterflies man.

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I agree with Justin. White light is what I prefer. Can not see much with a red and the green is only a little bit better. I usually only use it going in if I do to get set up and strapped in. Walking out my eyes are adjusted enough to where I don't need any light. Walking in with it in my hand or on the brim of my hat I keep it pointed down and only shine 15 - 20 feet in front of me. I know my areas enough that I don't need a light to get me in or out from my stands. If I hear something in the dark I stop look in the direction to see what it might be and if I have to run or if it's going to run.

 

Justin, I understand your point. What I'm saying is yes, deer don't have reasoning abilities like a human, but they do have the ability to associate. That's what keeps them alive. When they see a moving light in the woods, you can bet they know it's from a human, not another deer.

Truth be known, as mentioned, once your eyes get acclimated to the darkness you can see better than if you're using a light (except during a New Moon/no Moon). A light only illuminates the immediate area, it blinds you past where it shines. If a light has to be used, it should only be pointed directly down on the trail you're using. If you know your route, that's all you'd need.

 

Good thoughts Justin. I think we all bring different experience with dealing with deer and our interactions with them. A lot of guys go deep in the woods, where is isn't normal to see lights. When you hunt heavily pressured areas, and states like Michigan, little things like this add up to pressure in a hurry. Deer change patterns very quickly, and this is one reason they do. I've tested it, and seen it time and again. Red light, no reaction, white light, snort and bolt - quick association. Deer don't normally look up in trees at random either (for hunters), but they do in some areas in Michigan. Agreed noise is also a major problem, whole different discussion. Question is, would a person rather KNOW they aren't seen, heard, etc, or just hope that deer don't figure it out or make the association? Science shows they see white light, so at the least its a gamble to use it and for what reason?

 

I live in a rural area, no other houses round for over a mile in any direction. I have had deer within 50 feet of the house, daylight and late evening. Watching TV the other night with a room light on. Had a doe within 40' of the house, stopped and looked a few times and meandered off into the grass field. Deer get used to white light (few houses have red or green room lights) just like they get used to headlights and "deer whistles". The see the lights and hear the whistles from the day they are born so it is just another light/sound to them. I fully agree that the noise you make and the scent you leave are much more important. Just my visual opinion.

 

I used to use a head lamp that had a green and red filter on it...It was fine...annoying when you're trying to find stuff up in the stand in the dark out of a hunting pack. I have since bought a Zebralight which is a ridiculously bright white LED headlamp. I can see anything I need to including lighting up a significant portion of the woods like it was high noon. I can also keep it quite low just illuminating a few feet around me.
Does it spook deer? I have no idea. It doesn't seem to...I have used it for several seasons and I've been shooting deer every year. I don't think it really matters that much. If you bump a deer walking in or out, you were going to bump or spook that deer no matter what light you had on your head. If I am walking a field or field edge I don't need a light. I personally prefer to have a bright white light for tree climbing, bloodtrailing and general navigation.

 

I don't see a difference in using red, green or white. As long as the light is bright enough to make a clean head shot with my suppressed .223 from the cab of my pickup.

Edit: oh, I see you meant for walking into your stand... oh dear...

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I'm going to disagree with this. I personally feel like if I am headed to my stand and I am able to be quiet, not snapping sticks as I walk, why would I choose to alert deer that can see bright white light at 100 yards moving through the woods? Sure, it may not spook the deer to the point of running off blowing but why risk it? Those deer will most likely just move off the other direction if they were on the path to my stand, so after having first hand knowledge that my red light does not spook them, why would I use white light? I can see where I'm walking using red just fine and I know for a fact it won't spook the deer. The next time you have deer under your stand at dark, do a little experiment yourself with both white and ref light and see how it goes. Deer see light all the time this is true. Deer also smell humans all the time and I'm betting you still spray down with scent killer. Why? To reduce the odds you will alert deer. Why is light any different? At the end of the day it's about personal preference and what makes you feel comfortable.

I would also add that deer can see further than they can hear.

 

Loving this thread. I am getting ready to hang a new stand, where the deer are there about 30 to 40 yards away from it. I usually have deer in that area around 5 and 6 a.m. which is when I would be getting in my stand. I do not have to go through them to get to it. So do you all think a white light will bother them, if so enough that they might scatter then work back? Let's include a mature buck in this group(if that matters, guessing it will). Or should I use red/green? Obviously I am going to try to be as quiet as I can, but lets be honest, there will be some noise from the trees and bow pulling up, etc.

Also, I've always wondered what is the best way to get down after dark when you know deer are still there in the area. I am really intrigued with the green lazer. Anyone else tried this or know of other ways? Cost me spooking a good buck last year after dark. Learned the hard way on that ( but I also turned my bright white light on in the stand with him 30 yards away or so, goofy ha.) Thanks.

 

If people don't laugh at this they take themselves too seriously. Thanks for the comedy man.

 

We need to remember that it isn't that deer cannot see Red or Green, they just don't see it as well. If you walk in with Red or Green light, you can bet deer will see it. Years ago, I would worry about trying to sneak into my stand, but I've changed that thinking. If you are in your stand at the end of a hunt and there are deer close, you don't want to spook them because they will learn where you are. You either wait them out or figure out a way to spook them without giving your stand location away.

Why would the idea be different going in? I would rather deer hear me, or see a light walking in and temporarily leave the area giving me a chance to get setup in the tree. Than be extra quiet and have a deer walk in before I ready and locate my stand. If the deer are consistently close to your stand in the morning when you come in, I think you need to reconsider where your stand is located or where you are hunting. I would look at where the deer would go leaving and setup between instead of trying to sneak in while they are there, or get in even earlier.

By the time the last hour of hunting hits, I try to make sure I have everything packed up so when I am ready to leave, I just lower the bow, and throw in my pack, rather than having to try and pack it.