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Hunting Tips | CALLING PREDATORS AT NIGHT

The hunter's vision is limited and the critters can not be as easily spotted as they approach.

The gear necessary for night hunting is often cumbersome and it is sometimes awkward to carry afield.

The actual shot is more difficult because you can not see the entire target. Many times, you are shooting at the eyes only.

Here are some of the strategies we employ for success in the dark...

Pick a good night

Low wind is a must. If the wind is 15 MPH or more, you may want to stay at home. Snow cover is fantastic and will greatly aid in spotting critters as they come in. What about the moon? Some guys do not like a full, bright moon. I say... Bring it on! On a clear night with snow cover, you can see the critters without a light. So long as your set up conceals you, you can still make the shot.

Set Up

I try to set up where I can see the critters coming in from as far as possible. This will allow me to make any neccessary adjustments with my weapon and lights. I also like to set up on a high spot in the terrain. Again, this gives me a good vantage point to seal the deal. Overlooking a large field that is backed up by a swamp or woods is often ideal. Wind is critical and must be paid attention to. The predators will almost always circle around you to identify the source of the commotion. Position yourself where you can take a downwind shot. This is imperative! If you have a buddy with you, sit looking in opposite directions. The key here is to sit close enough so that you can communicate with each other. NOTE: Be sure to have a plan for shooting since you are going to be close to each other. Safety must come first!

Use of The Lights

It will be to your great advantage to use spot lights where permissable by law. Actually, without the use of lights, night hunting would be much less affective and I would save my efforts for daylight. For spotting game, We use hand held 1 million power cordless rechargable spotlights. I bring 3 lights with me in the truck and use the re-charge cord while driving from location to location. When taking a shot, I rely upon my scope mounted 250 yard light that operates with a 6 volt battery. Be sure that your light has a red lens as this will not alarm predators. Additionally, it may be helpful to use some duct tape on lens edging for two resaons...1.) Helps to prevent lens from falling off and 2.) Eliminates sideways glare while operating your light.

Make sure your batteries are fully charged and be sure to have extra batteries or spotlights for a nights hunt. Low temperatures cause the battery life to be reduced so if you are planning a long night of hynting, you must have at least 3 of 4 lights with you.