Red light..

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Driven2tri24

Active member
Have been at this a couple years now with limited success at dusk and Alpha Dogg the first year. Killed 2.
Last year I upgraded to Red lights and a FP Fusion and killed 2, but both were at dusk and Red light didn't really make a difference.
This year have been mostly night calling and have had 2 come in on my way out. 1st time was 1/2 hour after last call so next time I waited for 45 mins...and again was busted with my hands full when they came across the field. When I seen them(illuminated them)my headlamp was still on flood but a lot lower intensity(as I was no longer scanning). Both took off within seconds of them being illuminated.
At first I thought they were waiting awhile after the call(why I waited longer second time)but now I think they are seeing the shadows from the scanning light and staying in the woods until after it stops.

I don't have a lot of money to throw at this (hence red lights last year) and would like to make them work if anyone has advice..

If not I'm considering going to a ATN Pro 4k on my rifle (along with my kill light to IR LED vs Red)and using with my tripod to scan. Is this realistically feasible to use your rifle to scan, without NV goggles etc??
 
Scanning with a rifle is not fun at all. If you are using a tripod you will have to be moving the tripod or your body and awful lot. If there is any brush, your NV is going to reflect back on that brush. This is not what you wanted to hear but it is true. A thermal scanner is the best way to go but not in everyone's budget. Also, some game seem to be more offended by IR light than others. One coyote might look at it and keep doing what it was, while the next might leave as if you had hit it with the spotlight. One thing is for certain, coyotes and bobcats will see the IR light. What they do about it is another story.
 
Thermal is way out of my league at this point. Would I be better off with NV goggles and a handheld IR light and stay with Red kill light?
I'd really like to find a way to make the Wicked Red lights I have work if anyone has any advice on what I can do to improve my success..
 
I have had negative reactions to red lights by animals(coyote,coon). Usually in open fields, inside 150 yards. Have had no bad reactions when in cover. My buddy is really liking the Sightmark Wraith, shooting at bait sets. The 150 yards is easy(his remarks). Longest is 232. If I can't save enough for a thermal next year, I will go digital day/night scope.
 
Some videos show predators completely ignoring bright red/white lights shining directly in their faces even at close distances. That is not my experience.

Always use a DIM light to scan, just enough to reflect eyes. If your light doesn't adjust brightness, get a weaker floody light to scan. I still often scan with my old XLR-100 and it works great to illuminate eyes out to several hundred yards. Even then, scan with just the bottom of the halo touching the ground and the center beam up above the ground.

SCAN VERY QUICKLY LEFT TO RIGHT AND BACK. Like 3 seconds total from L to R and back again. There is zero benefit of scanning slowly. You are looking for BRIGHT glowing eyes, not an ear flick or antler tine. If you don't see bright glowing eyes, KEEP THE BEAM MOVING.

Once you see eyes keep the center light beam above the eyes. Use the bottom of the halo to just hit the eyes.

Illuminate the body, or increase brightness ONLY when you are ready to shoot. Expect the predator to hang up or leave once you burn it with the full beam. Sometimes they keep coming anyways but don't plan on it.

Don't ignore the wind or get sloppy just because it's dark. The same rules apply.

If predators don't respond across open fields during the day, don't expect them to respond at night either. They might, might not. It's tempting to focus on open areas at night where you can see your spotlight beam way out there but don't change your tactics just because it's dark.

Scanning with a rifle mounted optic/light is both stupid and dangerous.
 
Thanks Dirty Dog! This is very helpful. Especially the scanning method. I was scanning quickly when I first got the lights but have recently went to a slow method, and THIS might very well be my main problem. What you've said makes total sense..
 
Quote: have had negative reactions to red lights by animals(coyote,coon).

That has not been my experience. I would say they are more likely reacting to your movement, or seeing it in the moon light.

I have had coons and coyotes literally almost run me over in the dark with me shinning a red light right on them.

I try to keep the light above them just in the halo.
 
I scan with a headlamp I keep it dimmed down I can pickup eyes at 400 plus yrds never take the light off the animal that is your blind they can't see you when they're in range turn on your gun light, keep it above the animal bring it down until you have a clear sight picture and take the shot.
 
When I use light over bait, the coyotes learn to recognize it. At first, you kill one and they have no clue. But, there were two or three on the bait, you kill one, the other two learn. They get a little shy of the light, can't shine it right on them. You kill another one, by then the third one will run off as soon as you shine the light in there direction.
They definitely notice the colored lights, it takes longer with red than green.

Their eyes detect it even if it is red, shine a red light into your dog's eyes, the iris contracts just like it would with exposure to white light.
 
Quote:when using red or green on coons they scatter right away.

That has not been my experience.

My experience with coons and red lights has been more like this.



 
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