Night hunting alone?

J

JDoski

New member
Hey everybody, first post. I'm looking to get into some night hunting for the first time and was wondering if you guys hunt at night alone, or would it be dangerous?

Looking to try Nevada for some coyotes sometime soon, but don't think I'll have any buddies that are up for it. I have hunted before, but never at night and never alone. Any tips from you seasoned guys?
 
I hunt along all the time along, both day and night. I would suggest you know the territory and just let someone know where you will be hunting.
 
JD, welcome to PM. I'd say that the answer to your question depends on where you are hunting. If relatively close to home or civilization, hunting alone is obviously somewhat safer.

But if you're hunting where larger predators like cougars, wolves, and bears are present and could very easily respond to the call, then calling alone could be very dangerous without someone to cover your back.

I'm pretty old at 69 and I do still go alone sometimes, but I try to be very careful where I call. Going in the Nevada desert alone might not be a really good idea.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm from California actually and the more I think about it I'm not sure if I should. I was planning on making a trip out of it for a couple days, but it seems a bit risky out in the desert alone, in an area I don't really know. I was planning on scouting out areas using Google Earth and then checking out the areas when I got there during daylight. I think I've got a decent setup though as far as night vision goes, but I got to admit it seems a bit spooky.

Should I call the area's PD or sheriff's office to let them know I may be shooting out there at night so I don't get an army descending upon me?
 
Welcome to Predator Masters ! I also hunt alone most of the time. I grew up coon hunting in the dark so it's no big deal to me. They can track your cell phone if needed. I'm sure you can buy a locating devise to carry also if you feel you need one. When hunting in an area with BIG predators just set the call some distance away from you (80- 100 yards ). If i waited for someone else to go, i would have missed out on A LOT OF HUNTING !

I say go for it !!!

Happy hunting !
 
I hunt alone probably %75 of the time. When solo I normally don't walk very far from the jeep, maybe 100 yards max. I prefer a buddy, but like others said if I did not hunt solo I would not get to hunt much.
 
Daytime I prefer solo, night time I prefer a partner. I like having someone along because all the dang snakes everywhere that love to lay on the sandy roads at night. Also because I'm in an area with a crap ton of [beeep] bag thieves, dope cookers, drunks and welfare bunnies that are out at night because they aren't working during the day. I've had a few run-ins with people that could have very easily gone the wrong way within seconds. Every brother out at night here thinks they are thugalicious and most of them carry guns whether legal or not. I'll be damned if I'm the next body they find in a ditch around here! If I don't take a partner I take my dog just to have a second set of eyes and ears on stand and when walking in and out.
 
You are starting out right; that is, scout your area in the day. Pick the best spot and know how you will get there. Know your dangers; if any, in the area. Snakes, larger predators, etc. If your from Ca. expect you might have to watch out for a cougar depending on where you go. I'm from Ia. so not much here to worry about except maybe a rabid animal, and insects. Insects are enough of a concern these days with what they can carry but hose down with deet and you should be ok. I'm sure you can ask local DNR officers what to watch out for and informing local law enforcement is a good move. I try to head this off by stopping by any residence near by and informing them of what I,m doing. Someone stopping at night nearby and making strange noises and shooting would be a concern for anyone. Knowledge should over come fear. Start out places you'll feel safe and go from there. There's a learning curve to hunting at night and you will need to practice a little to get use to it since it is at night in the dark doing things. Good luck. Night calling has been way more productive for me.
 
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Thx for the great replies guys, stuff like this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I'm trying to soak up as much stuff as possible from guys with some experience. Anybody hunted in that area with any advice?
 

I hunt alone 95% of the time at night and my biggest concern living in FL is snakes. I wear snake boots but it is always possible to get hit above them on uneven terrain.

Since I mostly hunt hogs they are a concern also when stalking larger sounders alone. I now carry a backup pistol with light and laser after a couple of close encounters if I am by myself.

I always keep my phone with me since I get cell reception in most of the areas I hunt, but if you are going to a very remote area and you want a fool proof device to keep with you I reccomend a Personal Locator Beacon. I have a SPOT unit that I use sometimes since it doubles as an EPIRB for offshore fishing.

You can send I'm okay texts, send help texts, and in an emergency send a 911 code and they will get someone to your GPS location.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews

 
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Snake boots sounds like something I need. The Nevada desert is probably swarming with snakes and scorpions, especially at night. Don't think I would've thought of that as part of my gear, thanks!

I've never even heard of a personal locating beacon. I've never been in the area so I can't say for sure but just from looking in satellite photos and how remote it is I really doubt there would a signal out there for a cell phone. I think this is something I should definitely buy too.

Loving the tips guys, thx a lot and keep them coming! This stuff could potentially save my butt!
 
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First off, welcome to PM. I live in Nevada and 80%+ I hunt at night and alone. Best, as stated above to at least let someone know where you are going....if your strictly calling for yotes, the only thing that could, and that's a big could is lions. I would suggest carrying a side arm....I always carry anyways.....and if you go off-road, don't be going places that you may get stuck. PM me if you have any additional questions..
 
I'm with Gman, I hunt alone at night 99% of the time. Know your area, keep phone handy, I wear snake chaps, a little hotter but coverage to the waist. The reason I hunt alone is none of my hunting buddies have thermal and it's hard for them to see what I'm seeing. I also have a mobile hunting trailer with a bed in it, so I can pull it out to a bait site set it up, put a driveway sensor on the bait and go to bed and wait for an alarm. In the process of building an electric hunting golf cart to cover more area from the roads. Good luck and enjoy, I do even if I don't kill anything the quiet is really nice and you'll be surprised what you see when the sun goes down
 
Originally Posted By: JDoskiSnake boots sounds like something I need. The Nevada desert is probably swarming with snakes and scorpions, especially at night. Don't think I would've thought of that as part of my gear, thanks!

I've never even heard of a personal locating beacon. I've never been in the area so I can't say for sure but just from looking in satellite photos and how remote it is I really doubt there would a signal out there for a cell phone. I think this is something I should definitely buy too.

Loving the tips guys, thx a lot and keep them coming! This stuff could potentially save my butt!
As you may know, depending on where your hunting, you have no cell service. There's an app called "life360" works well, but you will need cell service, but at least it will track where your headed. My wife uses it when I'm out alone. As for snake boots, not really needed. I use foreverlast anti snake guards. They just wrap around your lower leg, and much less expensive. Think around $40. I also carry a small black light with me, I just shine around the area I'm going to post at...if any snakes or scorpions are near, you will see them. And as said before, I'm normally not more than 75-100 yds away from my truck. As for a personal beacon, not for me, but if you feel more comfortable, go for it. It's good to be prepared, just don't over think it. Just to add, Nevada is quite dry...Jmho....DON'T spray down with Deet...not needed, and you don't want to add to your scent...just my $.02
 
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Thx for the tips Drop. That's kind of the specific stuff I was looking for. I was gonna PM u or ask you what kind of gear you usually wear.

Great idea on the black light, I was planning on just scanning with my thermal monocular to find something but FOV isn't great (2x monocular). I think the main thing to be worried about is the smaller critters that can get me (I think) like scorpions and snakes. I think most the areas are pretty wide open that I plan on hitting so I don't think a bigger critter can sneak by me if I'm doing a good job scanning, but you never know.
 
I prefer to hunt alone because I have a system that works on the land I hunt. I enjoy taking others or hunting with other people, but it just adds noise, scent, and the frustration when they miss a shot... LOL


I don't know your terrain, but snake boots are a must. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't around. If nats and mosquitoes are an issue, I'd highly recommend a thermocell. They are amazing. Otherwise aside from your hunting gear bring a spare flashlight and batteries, and a side arm. If you carry too much it becomes cumbersome.
 


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