I'm going a little cleaning, getting things set for the new year, looking for pork and sauerkraut recipes and watching a little TV. The hunting year has been a bust for me, but that's why it's called hunting, not killing. So one particular show came on and I had a thought, so here goes...
Hunters often are going in or coming out of the woods in the dark. Obviously, a light source is a must. Flashlights are probably the go-to tool, but there are some others that I think might work. The particular one I am talking about is NVG (night vision goggles) or more specifically, FLIR (forward looking infrared). Does anyone use this, or does anyone think it's UN-trad?
My thoughts go to the advantages. For one, you get a much wider field of view than with a flashlight. Another is that you are not polluting the area with light, scaring away potential game. Yet a third is tracking. Getting a shot at sunset, right as a rain or snow is coming in, makes for one heck of a job tracking. Something like FLIR could pick up the heat signature from a downed animal.
Again, nothing will replace basic skills. You need to know how to track, you need to know how to minimize light (and noise) pollution going into and out of the woods. But with prices being pretty reasonable, is this a feasible option? Yes, a person could get some strange looks walking through the woods being dressed like the terminator while carrying a self bow with a dozen homemade wooden shafts tipped with obsidian and some fresh turkey feathers on the back, but still.
Thoughts?
Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe new year.
Be well,
Alex
:campfire:
Flashlight $10
Nightvision goggles $3,200
No thanks. I'll stick with the flashlight although mine actually cost $75.
My mini-mag light with an LED bulb works fine and weighs a lot less.
Happy New Year!
Mmmm, pork and 'kraut. Okay, I'll go read the rest now...
I walk in about an hour before light and walk out 30 minutes after sundown. Haven't turned on a flashlight all season.
I don't see how NVG are any less trad than a battery powered, factory-made aluminum flashlight that uses alkaline batteries.....
QuoteOriginally posted by ishoot4thrills:
I don't see how NVG are any less trad than a battery powered, factory-made aluminum flashlight that uses alkaline batteries.....
I agree to a certain extent.
However, I'll stick with a light personally. I've thought about the other stuff but it is more costly, more fragile, heavier, and bulkier. Also, I don't think I'd like the experiance as much. What I love about my time in the woods is getting back to basics and enjoying God's country. I make enough raucous coming in with a light that I doubt I'd make any less impact with stealthy night vision goggles. Remember, you still sound and smell unnatural and deer can still see your movement when you can't see them. For the downsides, I just don't see how it would make me any more effective and it certainly wouldn't enhance my experience.
In my opinion, a small, portable headlamp that runs on commonplace batteries is the way to go. They are small, light, effective, and ultra-reliable. If your batteries die on a trip out in nowhere, you can pick up AA/AAA at any gas station last minute (happened to me just this year actually). And the very best part, is it points the light just where you need it leaving your hands free for the bow, climbing in stands, moving around brush and boulders, etc.
When one considers that with the coming worldwide currency reset in Feb. or March could reduce the buying power of our dollars by 30%. It will hard enough to pay for basic traditional archery supplies, $3000 nightvision goggles would just be way over the top.
In some areas possession of a "hunting weapon" and night vision devices constitutes poaching.
Where I hunt (no rifles except muzzleloaders are allowed), one can often hear the crack of a rifle after dark. I ALWAYS wear a headlight and look in all directions-to be sure anyone seeing a blob in the dark also sees my light and knows I'm not a deer.
So to answer the question, no nightvision goggles for me. I like trailing deer, it's a great challenge, so no FLIR, either.
Its an awesome thought and concept, but i will pass. Gene Wensel asked "where do we draw the line". Sorry, my line is well before these things.
I am thinking that these might be illegal in many states so be sure to check. Also, just because WE can't see that spectrum does not mean other critters cannot. We are kinda wienies when it comes to attributes that help us stay alive, except for our brains and the related activities it allows.
cool idea
ChuckC
I wouldnt use them hunting. Its an unfair advantage and not fair chase. Trad? not sure,dont care. If you cant find your way in the dark, go during the day a few times then come back at night.
My time in the service taught me that there is a learning curve with nvgs, they throw off your depth perception and it take a while to get use to moving in them... The first time I ever used them, I was stepping over a ditch that was at least four feet away. Then, they allowed us to drive humvee's at night using them.... That was interesting to say the least.
I go into the woods an hour before sunrise with no light (I normally have two but don't flash them).
This is on my own property so I'm not so worried about motion & sound shooters. I'm in about 1/4 mile for one of my stands; though my early season stand is 400 yards from my back door.
If you leave the light off it's surprising how well your eyes adapt to low or no light.
night vision isn't for me. nor is infrared.
But I can see how infrared could really be a bennifit in animal recovery. I personally would not buy one. but my buddy is a big time coyote hunter and has a middle of the road flir unit that cost about 2 grand. it will pic up the heat signature of a opossum at 100 yards. the thing is amazing and could be a huge recovery tool for anyone that wanted to spend that kind of money.
flashlight for me, at 72 I need them as I walk in a full hour prior to first light and walk in when I can no longer see.
flashlight for me, at 72 I need them as I walk in a full hour prior to first light and walk out when I can no longer see.
Using something the guy with the 7mm mag can see trumps using something the deer can't!
I don't put lines in what someone wnats to uyse or shoot. Have fun and ejoy. But I'm with most here and think a $10.00 flashlight will work. Plus I want to be seen as I move thru the woods in the dark. It's a safty thing for me.
NVGs are fun. I used to take mine home from my unit and me and my wife would go out sneaking up on armadillos at night. Its like the gentleman said earlier... there is a learning curve...lol... and it is hilarious watching someone thats never used them before... if you wanted a set I doubt you would regret it even if just for enjoyments sake.
For hunting, I walk in the dark (on my place) and use a red lens flash light if I absolutely need to anywhere else. Its amazing how 5 minutes in the dark adjusts your vision.
If that floats your boat...
Seems a bit over the top to me. When the deer start shooting back I'll switch to nvg and an m-4...
My use of lights or not has nothing to do with being "trad" or not. If I am hunting a wooded area I'm unfamiliar with I will use a small red light to keep from running small twigs into my eye.
I've also had an occasion or two where I needed to be able to see something at my treestand. For instance, if I fail to tie down my haul line and the wind has blown it to the side, I've been known to activate the screen of my iPhone for a bit of light.
One time I had a deer blow up in the woods upon seeing the reflection of that phone light on my face.
Also, like have some have written, if I'm on land where and when a firearms hunter might be I may also hold a redlight in my hand with fingers "shading" the light.
My main reason for going lightless most of the time is like was said above, my night vision is good and gets even better as I walk away from my parked truck. Heck, sometimes I don't even turn on my truck lights for the 3/4 mile drive from my drive-way to where I park the truck.
No offense, but for me the less hi-tech gadgets I use, the more I enjoy my hunt.
Just too expensive for me to consider. Plus, I just don't think going in with a flashlight is going to spook any more deer than just the noise I make walking in.
Those newer head lamps can do all kinds of things. My wife has one that will flash red like a cop car. We were on a border to South Dakota public area and some hispanic kids showed up at dark. They did not care that I was there, but they did not look like they were up to any good. My wife was out very late and I was debating leaving the vehicle with them messing around, when I saw my wife coming. She thought that if she put her red flashing light on, that I would come running, she shot her deer. When those kids saw that red flashing light, they ran back to their car and took off in a hurry.
This area seems to attract criminal types, a couple of years back, there were a bunch of small business robberies. They stole the entire safe out of businesses. This was where they ended up being dumped after they were cut open.
Illegal to have while hunting out here.
I think it is a great idea for recovery! Just too stinkin expensive.
Have you ever shown your light on an animal walking past your stand? I have a few times just to see what response I get...nothing! I am not sure that game animals even take notice f unnatural light, I think it is the sounds/scents we make while holding those lights that alert them.
Just my two cents