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Using lights??

I always carry a headlamp with extra batteries, and two flashlights with extra batteries. The headlamp is a multi-color mode, one flashlight is red, and the other is white. Usually, ingress and egress is with a red light on dim (if necessary), the white light is for emergencies or tracking! I would rather use a light and improve visibility for efficiency and silence, than fumble around. Typically, I have no issues with deer spooking with red light. I usually get in early and prior to being able to see, I will use my headlamp to see what small branches may be in my shooting areas.
 
I used to be a no-light guy, until I almost picked up what I thought was an oddly patterned fanny pack or jacket somebody left at the base of the tree i was going to climb.

6ft diamondback. Literally made me sick at my stomach and sweating in 40° weather.

I don't run my car on the road without lights because it's dangerous. I don't run my boat on the river without lights because it's dangerous. I don't walk in the swamp without a light because it's...

I have had dozens of deer in bow range walking in and out at dark. Last year I had 3 does bedded down and they never got up while I walked 20 yards past them. Do some deer spook that I never see? Probably. But the ones I do see do not spook or at least do not spook hard.
 
Thanks for all the great replies! Definitely makes it a little easier to feel comfortable running a light. As for you guys and all the damn snakeso_O:coldsweat: I would loose it! I am terrified of ALL snakes! And yes my youngest is 5 years old and had to get a chance to sit in the saddle EVERY day, he absolutely loves the outdoor life!
 

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I feel they can see even a red lamp and yes does and young deer will let you get away with it. They also will let you get away with a lot of stuff. I can say deer just stop and look at me walking and go back to their buisiness after I walk by and be completely truthful. I can’t say I’ve had numerous mature bucks allow me to walk by at 15 yards with my flashlight and not spook.
I sill use one. If I’m tripping over stuff, yelling obscenities when I walk through spider webs, and screaming like a little girl when I step on something soft(usually toads but definitely a rattlesnake until proven otherwise) what do I have to lose with a light.
Light travels a long distance in the woods. I see car headlights sometimes miles away flickering through the woods. Deer see lights all the time. Now someone walking around shining a light everywhere and up in trees trying to find a foot spot to climb is a totally different story.
 
I used to be in the no light club. Looking back I was probably spooking more deer walking in without a light. I started using a red or green light but I don’t even think that really makes a huge difference. Go walk around a hay field or your yard with a flash light, if the wind is in your favor i think the light just confuses them even more.
 
EricS said:
Now someone walking around shining a light everywhere and up in trees trying to find a foot spot to climb is a totally different story.
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That would be my dad. Can never find his tree. Looks like a frickin disco party is happenin 100 yds away in the woods everytime we hunt together. Takes him about 15-20 min until he finally settles on the wrong tree with branches in his way all around. i crack up when deer walk by him and he cant get a shot off. Im laughin right now just thinkin about it :tearsofjoy:
 
I go without a light as much as possible. When walking in if I need it, I have a very low power single AAA light that I hold about waist high pointing directly in front of me. It has a small rubber hose on the end that concentrates the light and reduces sidelight. It also reduces noise if it bumps something it shouldn't. When setting up, I try to avoid looking around to broadcast my location.
 
Green for me. And I have a red lens head lamp that it’s real low power and what I use climbing.
 
Never had a problem with spooking deer using a green or red light but I do prefer the green light.
 
For me, it depends on the moon phase. If it's a full moon usually it's pretty bright and your eyes can adjust, on those new moon phases it's pretty damn dark. Definitely would recommend a light at that time.
 
I'm in the dark when I'm on an familiar access trail, but as soon as I get off the trail, I'll use a red headlamp to avoid noisy trip hazards and to protect my eyes from the brush. I also have a backup green penlight hanging from my neck with a compass. If I'm using (on X) to guide my way in or out I'll use the glow from my phone screen. I always have a backup headlamp and handheld flashlight for tracking, gutting, etc. With the exception of my penlight, all my lights, and Garmin GPS take AA batteries.

I'm proficient in setting up in the dark, but I'll wear my red headlamp while climbing up or down, just in case I get hung up.
Good luck this season Matt and welcome to saddle hunting.
 
I have always used a white head lamp or flashlight. I was always looking for the most output possible as its hard for me to see at night. This year I bought a $17.00 very bright red headlamp form Amazon. I have not used it for real but did walk around the yard a good bit with it. The difference it makes in seeing is very noticeable. The white light kills my night vision and you can only see what is inside the cone of light. The red seems much better at letting me see in a wider scope of field. Opener is next week so I'll know more then.
 
Get the brightest 18650 headlamp you can find on amazon for under $40. They are amazing and as a bunch of guys have said, they don't care.
 
High8 said:
Hi guys I am new here and to saddle hunting. I have never used lights going in or out of the woods with the worries of spooking deer. With that said, being so new to the saddle world I really think I might want to use a head lamp while setting up and taking down for at least a good while until I am 100% confident is my setting ups. Do any of you veteran saddle hunters use head lamps while in the woods, and if so do you feel it bothers the deer?
Thanks Matt
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Red light. Deer can’t see it. I have gotten literally 10 ft away shining a red bow light directly at em and they don’t even know your there as long as they can’t smell you. I hate broadcasting my location to other hunters so I only use white for blood tracking and deboning.
 
FLYIN_HAYN said:
Red light. Deer can’t see it. I have gotten literally 10 ft away shining a red bow light directly at em and they don’t even know your there as long as they can’t smell you. I hate broadcasting my location to other hunters so I only use white for blood tracking and deboning.
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I beg to differ but I have had deer snap their heads up and stare at my game camera before with just the small red led flashing while the pic was being taken. Camera was there for weeks so no scent and no noise from the camera either.
 
DroptineKrazy said:
I beg to differ but I have had deer snap their heads up and stare at my game camera before with just the small red led flashing while the pic was being taken. Camera was there for weeks so no scent and no noise from the camera either.
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Weird! Our blacktail seem unaffected by em. Does green work for you?
 
High8 said:
Hi guys I am new here and to saddle hunting. I have never used lights going in or out of the woods with the worries of spooking deer. With that said, being so new to the saddle world I really think I might want to use a head lamp while setting up and taking down for at least a good while until I am 100% confident is my setting ups. Do any of you veteran saddle hunters use head lamps while in the woods, and if so do you feel it bothers the deer?
Thanks Matt
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Always. I wear a nice one and keep a small cheap one in my pocket for back up. If I see a deer in my path, I can make them move before they smell me or know I'm a person, and they don't spook like they would if I just kept walking at them. I just turn the brightness up and flash it back and forth in their eyes until they get annoyed and walk off.
 
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