You may be imagining is possible to take a night hunting and how to make a successful shot? Hunting at night also requires a different mindset and different technology compared with day hunting. If you are thinking about going hunting at night, there are 7 steps for a successful night hunting you’ll need to keep in mind.
Table of contents
- Learn about Government Restrictions
- Scout and Confirm Tactical Locations
- Adopt Colorful Hunting Lighting
- Digital Calls vs. Mouth Calls to Attract Game
- Night Hunting Means Feral Hog Hunting
- Wait and Be Patience
- Consider Again to Be Safe
1. Learn about Government Restrictions
Hunting animals is restricted in some areas in the world, some are for people’s safety with the gun and pistol forbidden, while some for natural balance and protection. Governments in some areas welcome the hunters to kill the inundant predators to decrease the police cases, economical loss or even people casualties, thus, hunting is one legal career in these areas.
Some areas don’t allow any night hunting or only permit the use of certain kinds of lights during certain periods of the year. So be sure to check the files from governments to learn about what animals are legal to hunt at night and what technology you can use. Do your homework and make sure you know what’s legal. Go to get the full authorities no matter you want to be a professional hunter or hunt to protect your own field.
2. Scout and Confirm Tactical Locations
The location you choose for night hunting is critical. Many wild animals have better eyesight at night than they do during the day. So you need to find a spot where you will not be seen.
If you’re planning on night hunting in a new and unfamiliar area, explore the information or talk to people about the lay of the land or live nearby. You will find the best places to look for positioning and the routes of animals. Scout your locations during the day. This will make it much easier for you when you come in at night because you’ll be aware of any possible footfalls or ditches. Also, it will be better if can scout another one or two places for the sake of security.
Look for a higher location that presents you with a good view of everything around you. If you’re hunting in cleared fields, for example, find a location that overlooks the field but is covered on the backside by a wooded area. When you’re in the woods with friends or a group, sit close to each other. This will ensure better communication since vision is limited at night.
If you’re going night hunting with a group of friends and this is your first time, make sure you talk to each other about what’s your work and where you should be located before you go into the woods. Hunting accidents happen unexpectedly, so imagine how much more important it is to know the exact location of other hunters at your party at night.
3. Adopt Colorful Hunting Lighting
Lighting for night hunting has come a long way over the years. There are true stories that hunters carry two car batteries into the woods when they went night hunting.
Never use white light when taking night hunting. It will threaten away most game, coyotes, bobcats or foxes, and they will never come close enough for you aiming and hunting. Instead, take a multi-color hunting flashlight with the light the animal is insensitive to. For instance, the coyote is insensitive to the red light, so choose the red light to light for your clear aiming and shooting. And the feral hog is insensitive to green light, and so on. Be sure to learn about the knowledge before you go hunting.
Hunters tend to prefer either a flashlight mounted on the gun or a head torch you can wear around your hat. Be sure to choose the integrated one, as least equipped with much fewer spare parts, which are easily forgotten or lost.
4. Digital Calls vs. Mouth Calls to Attract Game
During the night hunting, experienced hunters tend to prefer mouth calls over digital calls because they appreciate the skill and practice that it takes to find just the right call. Newer hunters or hunters who only hunt infrequently, however, may prefer the digital calls.
If you plan on hunting regularly, learning how to use multiple calls is your best bet not only because they give you a truer sound but also because they are much easier to carry into the woods.
5. Night Hunting Means Feral Hog Hunting
For many hunters, night hunting means feral hog hunting. This is especially true in the southeastern United States where many consider hogs annoying pests and are concerned about the overpopulation of these animals. Many local governments even do not require a hunting license to hunt feral hogs and encourage hunters to seek them out. Why hunt them at night? Hogs, it turns out, learn quickly and they have shifted their feeding patterns so that they are more nocturnal.
Regulations about hunting hogs can vary greatly from different areas. Check with your department to learn about whether hog hunting at night is legal and if you can use a hunting flashlight, or similar lighting gears.
6. Wait and Be Patience
Although you may like to fantasize about reaching your position and killing a game in 5 minutes, chances are that you will have to wait for a while. Continue watching this area to see if there is any movement. If you can afford it, an infrared flashlight by a night vision device will give you a very clear picture of the area. Make a call every three to five minutes. If you stay in one place for 45 minutes to an hour and do not see any games, it is best to change to a new location you scouted.
7. Consider Again to Be Safe
Most animals prefer to escape the human for self-defense, but sometimes they will attack when feeling threatened. For example, an injured feral hog or a pig mother with babies may be quite aggressive and they can handle a deep wound. Therefore, before the night hunting, in order to retreat to safety when necessary, you need to investigate the surrounding environment first. If the feral hog or coyotes look too threatening, the best way is to move to a new location or save the hunting for another night.