Day Or Night Hunting?

Hunting is a very versatile sport. The versatility of hunting can be compared to its image when it comes to risks. There are many ways of hunting, many kinds of animals to hunt and many weapons to choose from.

One of the choices that a hunter can make when hunting is whether to do it during the day or spend a night out in the woods. There are major differences between the two methods and this article tries to explain the differences and assist a hunter in determining the method he would prefer.

What kind of animal are you hunting?

The choice of the time to hunt is very important since it is indicative of the feeding, grazing and traveling patterns of the prey. Take a deer for example, a deer feeds primarily when there is a small amount of light: they have two primary periods for resting which are late at night and mid-day when they stay in their bedding areas. Late in the afternoon they start to move toward food and water sources; then they return to their bedding areas during daytime. A deer is more vulnerable as night approaches. They will move to the feeding areas just before sundown and eventually go to open fields and meadows during the night when they feel more secure.

Another example is rabbit hunting. When hunting a rabbit, one should consider the difference between hunting by day or by night. Rabbits, as well as other kinds of animals, have an advantage over humans during night time. Humans can barely see at night without the aid of equipment such as night vision or heat sensing goggles. Animals, on the other hand, have adapted to night conditions: they are able to see and move very well in the dark These are just two examples of how a day hunt can differ from a night hunt. Other factors to be considered also.

Placing your stand

The location of a hunting stand depends on when a hunter is going to be using it. When hunting during or after sundown the stands should be placed in or along the trails which lead to the grazing fields. Deer move during the night and a hunter can make other preparations while waiting for his prey.

When hunting during the early morning or when the sun is up, stands should not be placed near night food sources to avoid being detected by the deer. A location near the bedding area would a desirable place to put up a morning stand because they will return to their bedding areas in the morning.

Smell not sight

Some hunters say that it doesn’t make a difference if the hunt is done during the day or during the night but the element of light is one thing that animals are cautious about. Animals have a very keen sense of smell so a hunter needs to keep this in mind to make a successful kill.

Right equipment

The time of the hunt will determine the equipment used by the hunter. A night hunter will want a hunting lamp of some type with him. Heat detecting sensors or night vision goggles are quite expensive, but a good lamp can be very helpful when hunting at night.

Safety

Hunting by day can be deemed as safer than a night hunt, or vice versa – opinions vary. During the day, there may be several other hunters and this creates a risk of accidentally being shot. Many people have been injured or killed because they were mistaken for prey. Night hunting is not without its risks either, as hunting at night can actually be scary.

Laws

There are state laws which specify the times when certain animals can legally be hunted. One MUST consult the local law officials in the desired hunting area before he decides whether to hunt by day or night.

The basics of hunting don’t really differ whether hunting by day or by night. There are certain advantages that come with both and one must decode which to choose to be able to make a successful kill.