As the hunting law says, the night begins one hour after sunset and ends one hour before sunrise. Hunting after dusk is as difficult, and dangerous as it is exciting, even for experienced hunters. It, therefore, requires special preparation. Discover the secrets of effective hunting at night!
Hunting at night – tips for hunters
Foxes, martens, or wild boars are especially active after dark. At this time, they do not expect human presence in the forest, so they penetrate the area more boldly. Take advantage of this! Learn how to prepare for hunting at night and increase your effectiveness.
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Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. The Secretary of the Environment’s September 19, 2020 regulation and the USA Hunting Association’s Hunting Regulations regulate hunting in detail. According to them, you can hunt at night:
- muskrats,
- predators,
- wild boars,
- geese,
- ducks.
The hunter is required to exercise extreme caution. He should know the chosen area beforehand. He must not aim in the direction of roads and buildings, and if he does not pick up a hit game at night, he is obliged to verify the condition of the shot during the day.
Track animal movements
Some animals are active at specific times of the day. Before you go hunting at night, find out when and in what places you can meet your target. The task will be made easier by mounting a forest camera. The Suntek HC-900Pro wide-angle photo camera records videos in 4K resolution. It activates in just 0.2 seconds when motion is detected. It works for up to 6 months in standby mode.
Charge and silence your phone
Your phone can help you get out of the woods if you get lost, or be used to call for help in a crisis situation. At the same time, the light emitted by the screen and the vibration caused by the notification can panic your target. Before entering the woods, check that none of the devices you carry with you will spoil your hunt.
A good alternative to a phone is the GL300 locator, which uses satellite tracking from two independent GPS and GLONASS systems. It fits in your pocket, is resistant to moisture and splashing, and stays awake for up to 95 days in sleep mode.
Use the right weapon
A hunter in the USA can shoot with a firearm with an optical sighting device installed. It is necessary to have a caliber of at least 5.6 mm and a bullet energy of at least 1,000 Joules. Crossbows, bows, and small arms are prohibited. Hunters themselves in our country consider them unethical and inhumane, although, in many European countries, the law allows their use.
Don’t ignore the wind
The wind is your ally or enemy, so you’d better use it to your advantage. Position yourself so that it doesn’t spread your scent toward the game, that is, simply move against the wind. Boars, for example, have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell, so they will sense your presence in no time.
Dress appropriately
Clothing and footwear should be comfortable, waterproof, and warm. They must not rustle – any sound that betrays your presence will derail the success of the hunt. Also, pay attention to the color scheme – dark colors act as camouflage.
Take care of the lighting
Forgo white light if you don’t want to spook the game. Choose green or red colors instead. You don’t need to buy several optical devices that will only weigh down your hunting bag. Choose color filters dedicated to Ledlenser flashlights to create a multifunctional accessory.
Identify your target accurately
At night, you can easily mistake a boar for a cow or deer. If you don’t want scuffles with farmers and trouble with the law, make sure what you’re shooting at. In this case, optical equipment for seeing in the dark is especially useful. While not essential, it greatly improves visibility, safety, and effectiveness.
Night vision amplifies light and generates a natural, detail-rich image. Thermal imaging, on the other hand, guarantees detection performance even in total darkness. However, it is more expensive and less detailed.
Hunter’s equipment for hunting at night
No hunter goes into the woods with a gun alone. Optical accessories or camouflage clothing not only affect the effectiveness of the stalking game but also increase safety and make it possible to remain unnoticed. What’s more, the Regulation of the Minister of Environment indicates exactly what every hunter who hunts at night must be equipped with:
“Hunting at night may be carried out by a hunter equipped with a hunting firearm with a mounted targeting optical device referred to in § 4 (1), as well as binoculars or an observational thermal or night vision device and a flashlight.”
Accessories and optical equipment for a hunter for hunting at night:
- head flashlight,
- decoy,
- thermal imaging or night vision device,
- rangefinder,
- hunting knife,
- sighting scope or spotting scope,
- binoculars,
- thermal underwear,
- shooting seat or mat,
- leather bag,
- loader.
Optics sights upgrade can greatly enhance accuracy and precision of animal hunting.
Advantages of hunting at night
You already know how to hunt at night and what to bring with you, but still wonder why you should do it. The stealth and slight tension caused by suspicious noises from the forest, combined with the omnipresent darkness, is an interesting, developing challenge for hunters.
What’s more, at night some animals are more active and less alert to the presence of humans, because they simply don’t expect it at that hour. For this reason, hunting at night can be more successful than during the day.