hiking in the dark to hunting spot

[Fletch]

Time is not of the essence. Day or night....whatever. I usually carry the bare minimum to sleep outside when shit hits the fan. By bare minimum I am talking about rain gear, warm clothes, and means to start a fire. As far as a bear or mountain lion getting you in the dark...what's the difference in the day. In most day encounters you never saw the animal until a spilt second before it was on you.

 

[marc]

I do it but not alot. I usually pack in the day prior to the season and get camp set before dark. Only worries for me are cats since getting attacked by a cougar. If I am hiking in at night then my sidearm is generally in my hand and my recurve is strapped to my pack.

 

[5MilesBack]

The only thing I worry about in non-griz country in hiking in the dark, is getting poked in the eye with twigs and branches. But sometimes that happens even in daylight so............stuff happens. But then again, I don't really even like using a headlamp in the dark.........so ya, stuff happens. I'm probably the only guy that actually likes the full moon when hunting.

 

[Sundodger]

Hiking in the dark is SOP for me. I like others I use it to maximize hunt time and effectiveness. No doubt there is a bit extra risk, but just keep inside your skill level and everything will be fine.

When I am hunting from my truck and my spot is a few miles in, I am normally hiking an hour or two before first light and on the flip side getting back to the truck a few hours after dark.

On my high hunt this year I got to the trailhead around 9pm, hiked to my spot that was about 10 miles in about 1am, slept for a few hours, and was able to glass first light that morning. That was huge.

 

[charvey9]

Just embrace it, and it is awesome. Some of my favorite times are hiking out in the early morning in the dark. It is best when you can navigate by moon or starlight, I only turn on my headlamp as a last resort. Yes, you will crap your pants when you kick up a grouse in the darkness...but that is what makes it fun. I also hear coyotes, and have even bumped a bear but that is also part of what makes it unique and enjoyable.

 

[Sooner]

It has never bothered me. I walk in the dark so much during waterfowl season that I'm use to it. The mountains are no different than the marsh. Both have things that go bump in the night. If I ever get to hunt in Grizz country it may change my thinking a little though.

 

[2ski]

The thing I'm really scared about running into is......the people that participated in the Rokslide beard contest. Did you see them? They would be scary in the dark.

I get a little uneasy in the wind just because I can't hear as well, and animals can't hear either. While out with a cow permit this fall, I jumped a really nice bull because he couldn't hear me in a 30 mph wind.

 

[Violent Hippie]

This is SOP for me as well. I actually really enjoy mountain travel at night .Does something to your senses that I find invigorating. Multiple times I have had my head lamp light up a half dozen sets of eyeballs or so that just adds to the experience. Fording creeks and rivers at night is probably the only aspect of night travel I find dangerous and of course the possible branch to the eyeball poke. I havent had any problems though.

 

[BroodBuster]

I'd much rather walk in during darkness then during the afternoon heat/bugs! I like to hike in during dark so at sunrise I'm at the base of any big climb or elevation gain. I absolutely hate humping a big hill in heat and bugs.

The only times I get real scared is when I smell that musky big game animal so I just start singing or hollering. My version of whistling past the graveyard.

Do it a few times and you'll get used to it pretty quick. As others have mentioned hiking in by moonlight or starlight can be a really cool experience.

 

[charvey9]

As I said above, I really like hiking in the dark.

However, I wanted to add that there isn't neccessarily an advantage unless there is a place you just NEED to get to before sunrise. There is something to be said for being able to "hunt" from the time you leave the truck, and on your way out. Unless you know exactly where the game is, you are just as likely to be passing animals in the dark.

 

[Ross]

There was a time this unnerved me, but after so many days and years of doing it, it is no big deal. It has paid dividends staying out until dark and being there are first light more times than I can count......I just make sure I know the route in so as to not make any unexpected mistakes, and have extra batteries for the headlamp....most days I dont see elk camp in the daylight

 

[Retterath]

how many of you carry side arms and what caliber and what kind?

 

[mtnclimber]

how many of you carry side arms and what caliber and what kind?

I carry a .44 S&W Airlite. lightest thing on the market in a bigger caliber that I'm aware of.

 

[Frosty82]

I carry a .44 S&W. I won't be caught with out it again after having a run in with a grizz last year with nothing but my walking sticks and an emergency whistle!

 

[Buglebrush]

I never see my camp or truck in the daylight. I don't like it necessarily, but if you are hunting the backcountry there really isn't another option unless you are willling to miss the first and last light. Which I am not I generally carry my Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag or my Springfield XD .45 ACP. The only time it really gets to me is miles of nasty brush/deadfall after dark and solo. Not cool. For some reason hiking in has never freaked me out though. The only times have been Hiking out

 

[orelkaddict]

I carry my Sig in 40 S&W in a tactical holster on my leg. Only had to pull it twice in the field, once for a cat and once for low life druggy! None the less I practice with it all the time, about 3k rounds a year.

 

[mt100gr.]

I carry as well. Usually tote the bear spray as primary when I know I will be in the dark at both ends of the day. I know the "fogger" effect will be much better in the dark. If I am not going to far I will also bring my Glock 29, 10mm stoked with hardcast. The extra weight is negligible and the peace of mind much greater. If I am going in after meat, dark or not, and have a chance to fetch it, I strap my .454 Alaskan in the chest rig.

I had the "privilege" of getting to blast (with explosives) a few dead horses and mules in the back country and knowingly hiking up to a dead animal in grizzly country is unnerving to say the least. I will carry the most firepower in a practical package that I can get my hands on for meat extraction.

 

[Bonedalien]

another angle on the OP. know where your hunting partners(if you have them) stand on this.failure to discuss this can lead to some awkward moments at dusk if someone wants to be at camp by dark,and another doesnt mind headlamping back.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Para ordinance 1911 .45acp. I am considering picking up something lighter though.

 

[Hawkeye]

I have had the usual experience hiking in the dark by stepping on a grouse at night or a bird that gets up out of your front pocket. I do a lot night hiking to avoid the beating sun and bugs. Although the bugs seem to swarm my headlight at night.

I am sure some of you have felt this feeling- I was alone in a small one man pup tent one night and was fast asleep when I heard something snort 6 inches away from my head. I couldn't tell if it was a bear or a deer. I didn't move, I couldn't, all it did was sniff heavily through its nose. I got tingles through my body and swallowed hard only to try and say "HEY" but it came out like my throat was closed. It bounded off like a mule deer. I fell back asleep but thought I was going to fill my Helium bag.