For any hunt, short or long, I ALWAYS take 2 headlamps or at least a headlamp and a backup/emergency light. A small headlamp running on 3 AAA batteries, from Petzl, Mammut, Princeton Tech, Black Diamond will work well for 75-80% of the situations. I like models with at least 2 beam settings and a red light can come in handy. Prices vary from $25-60. Always carry at least once spare set of batteries, taped together in a group of 3, with electrical or duct tape. Battery life is good for these types of lights, especially if you use good quality batteries. Rechargeable batteries work ok in "normal" temps, but in very cold temps, I found battery life was poor. My second headlamp is either another AAA light or a "Super Duty" Light as I call them, running on 3-4 AAA or 2, Lithium Batteries. The battery pack is on the back of your head and these lights come with a wide angle setting and a very strong beam. My favorite is one from Mammut. Surefire also makes a good once as does Princeton Tech and Petzl. On high beam, battery life is limited...but when hiking in the mtns, looking for horses or crossing mid-thigh deep creeks in the dark, these lights show me where the cliffs are, where underwater boulders are, etc. I can see trails on the side of a mountain, several hundred yards away, so I can pick my route, without guessing. For just trail use, a light like this is not necessary and too heavy, but I rarely hunt on marked trails. Another reason I carry 2 lights is that I've had one fall off in a night water crossing and lost another one once. Also, they are electronic and they are not "bomb" proof as I've had them fail twice in the 15-20 years I've been using them. In the least, carry a small backup light, like the one made by Crooked Horn. Even the little key-chain lights are better than no light. Another trick with the AAA style headlamps is to keep one with "fresh" batteries and only use it for night hiking, so light stays bright. Have a 2nd headlamp (different model/color, etc.) that you use more often, for reading, camp work, where brightness is not as key. Some of these AAA batteries with go for 50-120 hrs on one change of batteries, on the "low" power setting, but I find they are only "bright" for 8-15 hrs on the bright setting. For hiking in the dark, skinning/caping in the dark, the lights "useful" battery life is good, but not quite what is advertised. I haven't mentioned specific models as they change quite often, but the features and quality are the most important. I've also had decent luck with the $5-10 head lights you can get at stores like Walmart, etc. but I would not rely on them as my main light. As a backup they work fine. Regardless, headlamps are the least expensive, but most often used piece of equipment that I own. I even carry one in my briefcase and my truck always has one in the door pocket. Don't leave home without one (or two).
