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Author
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Topic: Scanning light vs. shooting light
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Baldknobber
Knows what it's all about
Member # 514
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posted February 07, 2011 06:04 PM
Do you guys who hunt at night use the same light for scanning and shooting? If so how do you do it if hunting alone. If you use separate lights how do you use them and which lights do you prefer?
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JTBMO
Posts: 202 | From: Missouri | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 07, 2011 06:49 PM
Actually, I hate it when someone offers a link instead of a polite and informed reply. But, there is much to consider and if you spend all day reading the three pages in this forum, you should have a very good idea of how to begin hunting at night.
After you look over the information, which, as far as I know, a lot of it is available nowhere else, then go ahead and ask specific questions. I will do the best I can to answer.
Good hunting. LB
edit: go to "my profile" and update your preferences to "show all topics" instead of last 100 days or last year.
[ February 07, 2011, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Baldknobber
Knows what it's all about
Member # 514
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posted February 07, 2011 08:02 PM
Ah, thank you for the info LB. I gleaned a lot from the techniques. You are right in that it makes it more successful with two men. Also nice thoughts on how to handle and scan with the light and how to keep from spooking game. The technology in the field of lighting has come a long way in the last few years. With the new LED lights and such I would like someones suggestions as to what they are using and having luck with. Do they like a separate light for scanning and a scope mounted LED for shooting. Just some questions for the curious. Thanks.
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JTBMO
Posts: 202 | From: Missouri | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 07, 2011 08:23 PM
I'm not at all crazy about LED as a hunting light.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Baldknobber
Knows what it's all about
Member # 514
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posted February 07, 2011 08:35 PM
You've used the LED lights then?
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JTBMO
Posts: 202 | From: Missouri | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 08, 2011 10:06 AM
No, just seen them turned on. I can't take it seriously enough to actually "use" one..... and the system isn't broke so why fix it?
I think, just starting out, one should approach this thing from the standpoint of what others are using and what works. There is plenty of time to download an app for your iphone once the basics are mastered. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted February 08, 2011 03:13 PM
I`ve never been able to get a focused beam of any sort from an LED, but then again I have only seen and messed with a couple of them so I dont have extensive experience.
For hunting alone a scope mounted light works although night hunting by yourself is somewhat taxing & unproductive, its still fun. Night hunting with a partner is the only way to go.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted February 08, 2011 03:27 PM
quote:
No, just seen them turned on. I can't take it seriously enough to actually "use" one..... and the system isn't broke so why fix it?
I would certainly agree from my experience, as well... but, I've also seen how small and low battery drain some LED units are. On a hunting vehicle a halogen or arc light are far superior.
In a portable unit a 5watt led will last all night and then some which can make them better, especially in a gun mounted light. Where you hunt is also something to consider. In the desert I don't know that an LED will have the spread and coverage needed. Where I hunt in a more farm country situation a big halogen light will get you thrown off the land!
Lots of things to consider including overall cost/versus effective use. I also believe everyone will have their own views after trying different ways and equipment.
Nikonut
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Baldknobber
Knows what it's all about
Member # 514
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posted February 08, 2011 07:13 PM
The hunting would not be done from a vehicle. I would probably be alone. Would I be able to man 2 lights-one for scanning and one scope mounted for the shot? Would a scope mounted light used for scanning spook them with too much movement?
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JTBMO
Posts: 202 | From: Missouri | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 08, 2011 08:11 PM
In the articles I referred you to, there is adequate discussion about modifications to spotlights so that they serve a dual role. You don't need two separate lights.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted February 08, 2011 09:06 PM
I`ve never used LEDs as stated before but I have sacrificed many nights with a scope mounted 12v sealed, as you stated there is lots of movement but if you are alone and on foot you will have a hell of a time if the light isnt mounted on the gun, at least for the shot, I`ve dicked around with a bunch of options, I found a buddy to join me and solved all the issues. One option that I entertained involved a hand held spot that could be quickly attached to the gun with red lense off when it was clicked back on for the shot, I gave up on that and went back to either 2 seperate lights or one on the gun, neither option is ideal. But they will work, sorta.
I better go see what articles LB linked to, I`m sure I`ve seen them before but I like to keep up on night hunting stuff.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Field Marshall, Southern Minneesota Sector
Member # 794
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posted February 08, 2011 09:46 PM
Not saying theses are the best choices for lites but this is what I have used in the past. I use what is called Nite-lite designed for coon hunting which consists of a battery with reostat switch and a wide belt for carrying the battery. The lite uses a kripto bulb and the head canbe adjusted from spot-lite to flood and canbe dimmed with the reostat switch. You get a plastic barrel mount along with it for mounting on a shotgun or you can hold it in youre free hand which I prefer so you can work the lite around the area with out haveing to move youre gun.. The head is about the size of a softball or large coffee cup and has a long heavey cord comeing from it and going to the battery. The lite is very durable and I have had mine for a little over 15 years without any issues..
Another lite I use is made also from Nite-lite called the Wizzard and mounts to youre rifle scope with a quick-detach scope ring and the lite has a button on the backside for on and off and also has a light cord running down to a battery also hanging from a belt. The wizzard also has a shroud mounted on it to cut down on glare, the lite is about the size of a pop-can which makes it easey to get around with when walking or getting it out of the truck. The lite only has one setting and thats bright.. I had a battery go bad on this one after about 6 yrs. of use and nite-lite replaced it free of charge. The wizzard can also use a kripto bulb which gives you a brighter beam compared to a standard bulb..
As far as useing them for hunting the only thing you need to be aware of are the cords, keep the ecsess tucked in under youre belt till ready to use the lite..
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5062 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted February 09, 2011 10:06 AM
LB, good stuff, I appreciate you old tim...uhhh I mean more experienced hunters sharing the kind of info that is found in those links, thanks.
I might have missed something but I still dont see a solution for using ONE light for a lone hunter on foot, Steve Craigs set up sounds interesting & would probably be fine but it still uses 2 lights.
Some of us night hunters are always looking for the perfect light for hunting alone & the fact is that the SOB just doesnt exist, not to hijack this thread but I`d like to discuss what others have actually used (not what they`ve read about, TA) to overcome this issue of scanning with a scope mounted light OR having to turn off the spot and switch to the scope mount to take the shot. So far Steve Craigs rig is the only one I`ve heard of that addresses the issue of hunting alone on foot.
Just so I`m clear on Steves rig, he uses a hat light to scan & then switchs to the scope mount mercury switch light. Yes/no.
Is there a hat light powerful enough to use in open country, the ones I`ve tried sucked and I get all sorts of movement from a hat light.
On another note LB I like & fully intend to make and use one of your fancy dual light rigs for hunting with a partner, as of now I still just reach up and remove the red lens for the shot.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 09, 2011 12:02 PM
I feel that hunting at night requires two people to be successful, at least consistantly? I have rigged up stuff for hunting alone but most of it eventually wound up in the trash since I hardly ever used it. It one case, I mounted six low wattage red foglights around the truck. In another case I used amber lights mounted above my head and a third method involved a red unidirectional red light, on a pole which was the only one that didn't spook coyotes, but then you really need a separate spot mounted on your rifle.
The problem is what a light needs to do. You need a light that doesn't spook game and you need a strong spotlight that helps identify what it is that is out there, otherwise, you are just shooting at eyes. I don't ever do that.
So, you pretty much have to fabricate a light that does the things that need doing. I talk about flipper lights that involve a spring loaded lens that turns on edge so you can shoot an animal after identifying it. I use a light that has two lights together, one is a spot and the other is a wide beam flood or fog light. This is the best solution, for me.
I don't know if they still make it but lightforce used to make a light with a "pot" and a red snap on lens which is actually a very good all purpose light. I bought the one I have from Gerald Stewart and he said they didn't sell so he does not carry them any more. But again, this is a handheld light. You would need to modify it to attach it to a rifle. (edit: however, this light is as close to a "one light that does it all" solution that I know of?)
So to answer Baldknobber, I do not hunt alone and have few suggestions other than experiment and develop what you need for your own type of hunting.
I know there are guys out there that hunt alone and these are the folks that need to jump in here with ideas and suggestions.
Good hunting. LB
[ February 09, 2011, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted February 09, 2011 01:32 PM
JD,
I've been using a LED Predator Light headlamp with about a 4" shroud that I built for scanning. I use the medium power setting and can pick up eyes easily at 300-350 yards out. Then, on the rifle, I have one of those LED XLR250 lights. I've been able to easily get the animals into range without spooking with the headlamp and then burn em' with the XLR250. Neither of the lights have red filters or anything on them and fox, lynx and coyotes seem to pay zero attention to either of the lights. The XLR250 has a more blue tint to it, but it's easy to ID an animal with. For solo hunting, I havne't found anything better. I gave up on any big lights with 12 volt battery packs and wires. It's just too much junk to tote around and the cold plays havoc on those things.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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tawnoper
Knows what it's all about
Member # 497
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posted February 09, 2011 01:35 PM
I agree, night hunting is best as a 2 person deal...but, I have had plenty of nights out solo. Rarely am I on foot, almost all hunting is done from the truck. For scanning and the majority of light work I use a standard 170 Lightforce. Sometimes red, sometimes dialed down white. They are a nice light. One of the key things I like about them is they are lightweight. For a shooting light I just use one of those cheap snap on optronics shooting lights. They are self explanatory and pretty simple to use. For a lot of the shots you get at night they work fine. At least for me, the hardest part of night hunting solo is retrieving a downed animal. Real easy to get dis-oriented at night without someone guiding you or marking the spot. I've made a few things that help me but it's still nowhere as easy as a good light guy putting you on the animal...IMO
Posts: 53 | From: socal | Registered: Jan 2005
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted February 09, 2011 01:43 PM
quote:
I know there are guys out there that hunt alone and these are the folks that need to jump in here with ideas and suggestions
On this note...
Baldknobber,
Let me first point out the fact that I am a novice night hunter. I have only called in a few animals, some of which were only eyes to me, and some of which I heard and never actually saw.
That having been said, I almost always hunt alone at night. I use a headlamp for spotting, and I have a Surefire 6P tactical light mounted to my shotgun for shooting. For my purposes I believe this set up will work well enough. The LED headlamp is adequate for the close quarters type stuff I normally call. You probably will need something stronger for scanning the open country.
I agree with Leonard and JD 100% that being out there alone at night is a difficult prospect. I find it kind of exhilarating though.
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted February 09, 2011 02:22 PM
4949,
What headlamp are you using? Did you buy one of those Lupine's yet for $1K?? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 09, 2011 02:31 PM
Hey, 49.
While driving yesterday and listening to John and Ken I caught some of a question and answer between a LE and the gov of New Jersey, what's his name, Crist? He made the cop seem rather self centered, whining about a 2% raise when other people are unemployed, etc. The cop didn't seem to grasp the fact that the state was broke and could no longer afford generous retirements and raise, etc.
Question: did it make news in NJ? I wonder why it was a topic here in SoCal? But, I only listened to maybe twenty minutes, but they really excoriated the guy.
Good hunting. LB
edit: oh yeah, he complained that he had to pay a third of his health plan premiums, 2
[ February 09, 2011, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted February 09, 2011 02:32 PM
Haha Tundra I was gonna ask you the same question. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted February 09, 2011 02:39 PM
Not yet...My Predator Light headlamp is working good so far. My guess is that somebody will have a 1800 lumen Cree headlamp in the $100 range soon enough. That Lupine is built like a tank though.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted February 09, 2011 02:43 PM
Leonard this is the first I have heard of it. We (my agency) has been working without a contract for over three years. A 2% raise is what I heard we will be getting most likely. Ugh.
We can't complain though because many people have it a lot worse.
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted February 09, 2011 02:52 PM
The Germans sure know how to build stuff to last Tundra.
Leonard the governor's name is Chris Cristie. When he was still a US Attorney he had been receiving death threats from some organized crime groups. We had to check his residence at night. There were a lot of foxes in the area.
The last I saw him I was working OT at a NY Jet game. We got invited into one of the fancy, expensive booths, and one of the LEO's with me told me to go outside where the seats are and look to my left. There was the governor outside his booth watching the game. I was kinda surprised he would be out there in the open, but what do I know?
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 09, 2011 02:52 PM
Crist was patient, but after two detailed explanations, the guy was still saying things like. "what am I supposed to DO!" Apparently he feared he couldn't survive with a 2% raise.
Well, that's all I know about it?
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31449 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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