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Post by reabhnt on Sept 12, 2007 21:14:57 GMT -6
What kind of lights, are you night hunters using?
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Post by edge on Sept 12, 2007 21:24:23 GMT -6
For a rifle mount I use the smallest optronics model,about 100 bucks.It should only be used on rimfires,if you use it on a 12ga,tape the clip.I use hockey tape.The switch will mount on the forearm with velcro.Buy extra velcro so you can use the setup on more than one gun. For a head mount light I use the western rivers and a Petzel for a backup.
Dont overlook the goofy battery flashlights(N's?)They are high output and small enough to hold in your hand while shouldering the weapon.
Edge
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Post by Furhvstr on Sept 12, 2007 21:26:58 GMT -6
Here in Ca. you can't shoot from a vehicle so all my lights are battery powered. Hotspots from Kohler Bright-Star. They are light weight and have an aux battery pack that attaches to the handle. They are really great lights 300 k candlepower. I am glad I have six of them cause today when I was on the phone with Brightguy.com I found out that they were discontinued. Anyways if you are looking for corded lights the same manufacturer has some nice ones reasonably priced. Brightguy.com has them. I have taken quite a few with the Magcharger flashlight by Maglite. 30 k CP and a tight beam. Always have two of those in the cab.
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Post by Furhvstr on Sept 12, 2007 21:35:51 GMT -6
We can't have anything attached to the firearm so I don't know much about that stuff. I just run hand held lights and rifle on bipod. Original post gave no info on intended species or region. Might be helpful to add some detail.
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Post by lb on Sept 13, 2007 9:02:51 GMT -6
Everybody I know still builds their own lights, can't buy them off the shelf, either superposed or flippers.
Good hunting. LB
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Post by reabhnt on Sept 13, 2007 17:46:09 GMT -6
Was talking about coyotes in Indiana. You see a fox every once in awhile, but pretty rare in east central part of state. I have used mag lites, different hat mounted lights and Stream lites. The stream lights are nice and lite. Thanks for the info.
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Post by jrbhunter on Sept 23, 2007 19:17:41 GMT -6
Reab, did you send me a private message on another site about this topic? I'm getting confused on screennames lately.
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Post by reabhnt on Sept 25, 2007 11:14:12 GMT -6
Wasn't me,but would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks Dean,
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Post by bubcat on Sept 27, 2007 19:35:47 GMT -6
I don't like any lights.
Lights snap on and "maybe" to locate something... but definitely to locate where the light's coming from, which is the hunter...
Night vision... best way to go on after hours shooting.
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Post by qwagoner on Sept 28, 2007 0:08:54 GMT -6
I think the jury is still out on that one budcat. Hunting “with” light does have its advantages. Predators are use to lights and they feel more comfortable at night than during the day as a general rule. The light also provides cover for the hunter. It doesn’t take much light at all in the eyes of a predator to wash out everything behind it. Meaning the hunter specifically.
Some predators are afraid to approach a light but many are not. For what ever reason it is beyond me but I have seen in many many times. I have watched coyotes, fox, coons, bobcats and a whole host of African predators throw caution into the wind and respond like they were on a string.
Red lenses and/or proper light handling techniques help greatly also. Night vision I think does have its place though. We have used it a little in the past but plan on experimenting with it more this coming season. The draw back of NV is that it is very pricey. Anyone can afford a light.
To answer the question though, I am surprised that Lightforce lights have not been mentioned. In my opinion they are the best factory light available today for night hunting. I have played with a few other makes of lights but I feel that Lightforce stands alone.
Good hunting.
Q,
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Post by lb on Sept 28, 2007 10:08:36 GMT -6
Yeah, I agree with that. Done right, visible light from a spotlight is not a liability. And, Quinton is exactly right, it allows concealment for the hunter, particularly under a bright moon.
NV has it's limitations, especially at longer range and in heavy brush. In my opinion, night vision is not the best way to go. Not even a close call.
Good hunting. LB
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Post by SteveCraig on Oct 2, 2007 19:44:18 GMT -6
I would say it depends on the type of country you are hunting in. I would imagine, and correct me if I am wrong Bubcat, but is it safe to say that most of your shots would be under 100 yards or less? NV would work great in this case. The type country Leonard and Q hunts in, lights would be a better way to go, IMHO. In certain areas of Indiana, NV works very,very good. In other areas, it would be a very poor choice.
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Post by jrbhunter on Oct 3, 2007 18:26:59 GMT -6
Yup- LightForce is the way to go. Rheostated, red filtered-light is probably your best option and a LightForce offers great power and dependability with some modifications. I'm not a fan of the plugs they install and I purchased a couple backup batteries for good measure... but it's a good unit.
Steve, what type of areas (or terrain) would you feel the NV is a poor choice?
Leonard, what distances are you referring too when you mention "long ranges"? That definition changes from east to west.... just curious if you mean 200 or 800 yards?
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Post by lb on Oct 4, 2007 0:00:59 GMT -6
Roughly speaking, night time, I'd think anything past 250 to 500, is long range. That's my limit anyway, western conditions, because it's just too difficult to mark them, much less hit them at night when everything out there looks identical. You know, endless stunted sagebrush, but, when they drop out of sight, you had better have them marked very well, or you will be wandering around with a flashlight for a long time. I will shoot a cat a little further out, switching guns for one dialed in for the distance, but then again, only if I have him spotted on a landmark, exactly.
Banging away at animals way out there can be a waste of time and effort, if you don't know what you are doing, and have in your hands what it takes to do the job.
Good hunting. LB
PS, I agree, lightforce makes a good product, or (at least) something to start with, because they need to be modified.
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Post by jrbhunter on Oct 4, 2007 10:57:55 GMT -6
That is certainly some long range shooting there! Roughly what type of magnification would you be using on a rifle scope to shoot 250-500 yards at night Leonard?
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Post by lb on Oct 4, 2007 12:37:12 GMT -6
This is just personal habit, or preference, but I like to keep my scope(s) on about 5 power. Most of mine, I can feel for the knob, and it is about straight up vertical at twelve o' clock. Then it is a simple thing to change it without looking. (in the dark)
My opinion is that twelve power is about the maximum useful, at night, regardless of objective diameter. But, I prefer a 3X12 and 4.5X14 scope for most conditions. Anything past 400, those thick crosshairs that are handy for close in shots become a problem, further out. LB
edit: I have not seen a 6.5X20 or 6X24 or 8X32 that "gathers" enough light, at night. I would strongly advise against using one, even if it seems like a good idea. It's not.
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Post by jrbhunter on Oct 4, 2007 16:59:52 GMT -6
Two more questions and I'll stop drilling ya Leonard:
Do you have a favorite brand of scope for shooting under articifial light?
Have you ever used night vision with 8 power magnification and adjustable crosshair weight?
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Post by lb on Oct 4, 2007 17:57:15 GMT -6
Yes to the first, Kahles is my first choice. No, never use that much magnification on NV.
But, the way I do it, you need a IR filter on the spotlight and NV goggles for the light man. Then, you need a scope mounted light for the shooter. In CA, can't have IR attached to the gun.
Good hunting. LB
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Post by jrbhunter on Oct 4, 2007 18:03:51 GMT -6
Ahhhhhhh I see. Thanks for the input, great stuff there!
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Post by bubcat on Oct 4, 2007 18:46:16 GMT -6
Steve;
"..correct me if I am wrong Bubcat, but is it safe to say that most of your shots would be under 100 yards or less?.."
From 42 yds, to 214 yds specifically, depending on what bait I'm setting over.
I've got wireless infra red censors on the baits. When the alarm hits, I've got company on the bait.
These are time worn, and fixed locations that I'm mostly experienced with... from tree stands, to out my bedroom window. If you snap a light on over one of my baits, you want to be some quick on your target... The coyotes at these locations are quick to get "used to lights"... they soon "know" it's a dangerous place to be, and don't hang around, or wonder what that spotlight business is all about.
If there are seven coyote in the vicinity of a bait, eventually, I'd like to kill all of them, not just the first few, and I don't believe I could do that in this situation hunting with a light.
A coyote can learn fairly quick that a light is bad news, but with night vision, the only thing he learns is that he's dead.
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