This is topic Blood trail light in forum Night forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Steve C (Member # 510) on September 24, 2007, 09:33 PM:
Has anyone used any of the blood trailing lights? Any opinions? Basspro ***** a light and Gerber has one too.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 24, 2007, 11:19 PM:
I haven't used the 'made for' trailing lights that they sail, but I have used the Streamlite Scorpian and a couple of sets of batteries. With enough light (white) fresh blood glistens & shows up pretty well. Best thing that I've ever seen for trailing in the dark was a Coleman lantern with a reflector.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on September 28, 2007, 04:27 PM:
I saw these lights at BassPro the other night. Have not a clue how effective they might be, but any help tracking a runner at night on desert sand and gravel would be welcome.
Good hunting. LB
edit: I notice that Kokopelli is a pretty smart guy
[ September 28, 2007, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on September 28, 2007, 07:37 PM:
Leonard,
I'm usually good at searching, but I haven't been able to find where you talked about a 12 volt "street light" set up, for solo hunting without scanning...
I keep looking at my Coleman lantern as I try to compile all the parts of an electric system.
No heavy batteries, no wiring, no rheostat, no one shot oops I broke it light bulb.
And I already own it. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
When you hunt in this manner, a 360° projection of light, do you then need to back yourself into cover, so you are not backlit?
I've got a spot I have been planning on night calling.
A large plateau, with knee/waist deep sage and low cheet grass, among small scattered boulders, leading out a mile or so to a handful of coulee lakes.
It's bordered on one side by a canal, and the huge mound of dirt they piled up in making said canal, and on the other side of the mound are agricultural fields.
It's one of very few places I ever scouted that I would say had lots of fresh sign
I can sneak down the access road along fields, jump over a walk bridge, and onto the mound (or around the end of it).
Would I be better off to call from the top of the mound (30' above the floor), or from lower on it's flank?
The mound is a mile long, and looks out over a square mile of CRP, how far down the mound would you go to call?
Krusty 
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on October 01, 2007, 08:50 AM:
Awww Leonard, you're making me blush....... But you left out what a dashing, handsome rascal I am. LOL.
Krusty; A couple of thoughts, which I'm barely qualified to have regarding night hunting.
1) You're going to need a reflector on the lantern (Foil will work nicely) to avoid lighting yourself up.
2) The closer to your eye a light source is, the better it will reflect light off of incoming eyes to yours. A Mini-Mag light on a headband works well. Try spending some time with a couple of those 'light reflecting trail tacks' in your backyard at night. It will reveal a great deal about the nature of reflected light and at the same time, reinforce any doubts that your neighbors may have about your sanity.
3) I would get down off of the top of the mound enough to avoid being skylined even at night.
4) I would call from a corner. On a still, cool night, the only reason for a coyote to not hear your call at one mile would be if it's already on a streacher. Windy, raining, or a lot of background noise; I would make a stand every 1/2 mile.
5) Good luck!!
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on October 01, 2007, 06:31 PM:
Kokopelli,
Thanks.
The way Leonard had explained it, you use a shield underneath the light, projecting a soft light 360°, and sit in the shadows under it.
That's why I asked for some clarification.
I suppose a shield on one side might be a good way to go, since I'd be backed by a barrier that could not be crossed (and land I can't shoot over anyways).
And like you say, then I wouldn't light up the hill around me.
A heavy aluminum heat shield for a cook stove, from REI, might be just the ticket.
Krusty
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 01, 2007, 06:34 PM:
Don't try to improve it before you use it! Kids!
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on October 01, 2007, 06:46 PM:
Okay then Leonard... how 'bout some advice on how to use it?
Should I sit against some backing, or cover my tripod with camo netting and sit against that?
If I project light 360°, where do you advise I take up my stand?
Near the floor, part way up the slope, or on top?
How high would you have the light source, above your head?
Do you think there are any disadvantages to using my propane lantern?
I'm not trying to improve it, I am trying to build it.
Krusty
[ October 01, 2007, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: Krustyklimber ]
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