Night hunting is a new thing to Arizona and I really want to give it a go. I am however a bit confused at how one guy is supposed to operate the light and shoot. They make lights that mount to a scope but with us being limited to shotguns I am a bit confused as to how im going to make this work. I have a hard enough time getting anyone to go with me during the day let alone at night. Any suggestions?
Night hunting with a shotgun question
- Thread starter patric
- Start date
Use the hat mount with a xlr100. When you see eyes, you can reach up from behind and clock it slightly to the left to take the shot. Works really well. Before you start your calling sequence make sure you throw up your gun to make sure you have the elevation of the light right. Once you do it a few times it will become second nature.
ARCOREY
New member
We did what adk3210 suggested yesterday morning for the first time after we couldn't get the barrel mount or universal mount to fit my buddies Benelli due to the vent rib. It worked great. As he mentioned, shoulder the shotgun a few times to make sure your light is in sequence with your point of aim. The XLR100 had more than enough coverage for shotgun distance and is not too heavy to run offset in the hat mount as suggested.
nightwatchman
New member
ive always used a coon light to hunt with and simply hold the 5100 style headlamp pc in my hand. when i go to shoot i simply use my thumb under the forearm of the gun and wrap my fingers around the head and that way it allows me to swing the light if need be. i do the same thing with my rifle when hunting at night.. been doing it for over 20 years with no problems... its just a matter of getting comfortable with your equipment and finding what works for you.. i now scan with my coonlight and have the 250 mounted on my guns for a "kill light".
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
I use one light, an XLR-250. I scan with it, then hold it against the forearm to shoot. Takes a little practice to align the light with your point of aim but it's not hard. I am not allowed to attach a light to my guns in my state.
If you can, then mount a XLR-100 on your shotgun, and scan with something else. I'd scan with a XLR-250 handheld. When you spot eyes, drop your handheld and turn on your shotgun light.
A hat mounted light is a popular suggestion here. BUT, keep in mind that you can only turn your head about 150-180 degrees, from one shoulder to the other. It is not uncommon for predators to approach from behind you or from the sides. Using a hat mounted light will seriously decrease your ability to see these tricky animals. Plus your head/neck will get tired of scanning left/right all the time. With a handheld scanning light, you can keep your head relatively motionless and scan with only your hands/wrists while using your eyeballs to scan left/right. SO much easier. And you can actually scan BEHIND you with little movement while turning your head only slightly and using your peripheral vision to see eyes glowing behind you.
Hat mounted lights were designed by and for coon hunters. Period. Coon hunters don't need to scan left/right all night long, they're following dogs and looking into trees. Predator hunters have different needs. If a hat mounted light works for you, great. But they have their drawbacks.
If you can, then mount a XLR-100 on your shotgun, and scan with something else. I'd scan with a XLR-250 handheld. When you spot eyes, drop your handheld and turn on your shotgun light.
A hat mounted light is a popular suggestion here. BUT, keep in mind that you can only turn your head about 150-180 degrees, from one shoulder to the other. It is not uncommon for predators to approach from behind you or from the sides. Using a hat mounted light will seriously decrease your ability to see these tricky animals. Plus your head/neck will get tired of scanning left/right all the time. With a handheld scanning light, you can keep your head relatively motionless and scan with only your hands/wrists while using your eyeballs to scan left/right. SO much easier. And you can actually scan BEHIND you with little movement while turning your head only slightly and using your peripheral vision to see eyes glowing behind you.
Hat mounted lights were designed by and for coon hunters. Period. Coon hunters don't need to scan left/right all night long, they're following dogs and looking into trees. Predator hunters have different needs. If a hat mounted light works for you, great. But they have their drawbacks.
SteveB22250
New member
I night hunt with a shotgun and the unfortunate thing we cant have lights attached to the gun they have to be hand held, so when getting ready to shoot if im alone and usually am I hold the light with my left hand and lay the forearm of the shotgun across my left forearm, takes some getting used to especially the heavy loads in 3-1/2". Here's a tip hold low somehow I usually shoot high at night.
I use a 9 volt battery that is hooked to a small red light that goes over your front bead of the shot gun and attaches with a small zip tie. just use piece of black tape and wrap 9 volt to side of barrel, pop the wire on battery when you start calling. Works fine for me,you just throw your gun to shoulder and naturally lines right up. Cant remeber who makes the front bead light though.