Headlamp for hunting

I used to like walking in the dark until one time I stumbled into a 55" bull moose that was feeding in the cut-block I was hiking into. If I had waited 20 mins until legal light he almost certainly would have still been there.

As to headlamps I just bought a 2 pack and my intention with them is safety when walking in low light, just so nobody mistakes me for a deer... no idea what brand there are.
 
Great thread as I'm looking for a headlamp.
I've never had or needed one in years past but have been caught out twice in a week this season! Once for 2 hours after dark the other for 5 hours!
 
kc34 said:
I have both a good quality more expensive head lamp and also some super cheap ones but I always have my good head lamp in my hunting pack as I'm a little leery of the light failing me when it's sunset and I just tipped over an animal and its critical that I have light available for the gutting job and the drag back to the vehicle. The cheaper lights are certainly good these days but I have had them fail and I don't need that happening when I'm hunting.
Click to expand...
We’ve been heavy headlamp users for quite some time. Backpacking, hunting & work. Almost entirely Petzl. They’ve been solid for the most part, and their CS has been exemplary the couple times we’ve had one break or wear out.

On the cheap lights topic- my 18 yr old and I just did a 4 day backpack trip, hunting deer and elk. He’d lost his Petzl, so bought the Costco 3 pack. Initially, performance was impressive. Far brighter than my TacTikka, and costs a fraction. However, by the third night his light was shutting off randomly and getting hot. My interest in relying on one for primary backcountry light diminished quickly. Haha.
 
Demonical said:
I used to like walking in the dark until one time I stumbled into a 55" bull moose that was feeding in the cut-block I was hiking into. If I had waited 20 mins until legal light he almost certainly would have still been there.

As to headlamps I just bought a 2 pack and my intention with them is safety when walking in low light, just so nobody mistakes me for a deer... no idea what brand there are.
Click to expand...

I stumble around in the light so in the dark in the bush it isn't going to be good for me!

Ben_in_Canada said:
Great thread as I'm looking for a headlamp.
I've never had or needed one in years past but have been caught out twice in a week this season! Once for 2 hours after dark the other for 5 hours!
Click to expand...

I hate when that happens........:(

LittleBoyLefty said:
We’ve been heavy headlamp users for quite some time. Backpacking, hunting & work. Almost entirely Petzl. They’ve been solid for the most part, and their CS has been exemplary the couple times we’ve had one break or wear out.

On the cheap lights topic- my 18 yr old and I just did a 4 day backpack trip, hunting deer and elk. He’d lost his Petzl, so bought the Costco 3 pack. Initially, performance was impressive. Far brighter than my TacTikka, and costs a fraction. However, by the third night his light was shutting off randomly and getting hot. My interest in relying on one for primary backcountry light diminished quickly. Haha.
Click to expand...

Exactly, that's what I worry about. I've had them tank on me as well but thankfully never out in the woods.
 
Used petzt’s for years. But when my last one died I bought a fenix HM65R. Not cheap, but my god is it bright. Battery life isn’t quite what I hoped, but I guess considering how bright it is, less battery life should be expected. And it’s rechargeable, so not the end of the world. But if im out for over a week I may need to charge it during a trip.
 
I see different Coast models like FL75, FL75R etc. listed at 480 and 530 lumens on Walmart online and this one:
“ Coast Cutlery 7339625 5000 Lumens Max LED Headlamp” for $46.52
Has anyone bought one of these and is it durable, reliable etc.?
 
I have been very happy with my THRUNITE Single AA model....I prefer using only one type of battery for all my electronic stuff and this little guy has really held its own...
 
LittleBoyLefty said:
We’ve been heavy headlamp users for quite some time. Backpacking, hunting & work. Almost entirely Petzl. They’ve been solid for the most part, and their CS has been exemplary the couple times we’ve had one break or wear out.

On the cheap lights topic- my 18 yr old and I just did a 4 day backpack trip, hunting deer and elk. He’d lost his Petzl, so bought the Costco 3 pack. Initially, performance was impressive. Far brighter than my TacTikka, and costs a fraction. However, by the third night his light was shutting off randomly and getting hot. My interest in relying on one for primary backcountry light diminished quickly. Haha.
Click to expand...

Y'know, when you buy junk, that's usually what you get!

If the junk lasts past the life of the first set of batteries, sometimes it's still a better deal!

He had three lights! You had only one! Had yours failed, he'd had a spare!
 
I have been happy with my Petzl Actik Core headlamp. Apparently most of the Saskatchewan Search and rescue team are equipped with them. That was a good enough endorsement for me to make a purchase. I have had no complaints.
 
I have two Fenix headlamps that work well:

1. HM50R - lightweight, single battery, very compact and quite bright

2. HM61R - 18650 battery, very bright, red modes, not too heavy, long battery life

Both of the above are rechargeable which is key in 2021. I bring a battery pack when I’m camping, hunting and being able to recharge in the field is great.

Patrick
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom