There is a balancing act when walking to a deer stand in the dark. You want to get there quickly and without being detected, but you also want to keep safety in mind.
So, how are you supposed to “correctly” walk to a deer stand in the dark? Should you use a dim flashlight, or maybe even a different colored light that deer can’t see?
First, You Should Clear A Path Through The Woods
First things first, before worrying about a light, choose a path that provides fairly clear access. Trim any briars or limbs that might interfere with your walk in.
Set Up A Marked Reflector Trail
You can take your trail preparation to another level by installing reflectors along the path.
It’s amazing how far away you can see some of the hunting reflectors sold today. I have used both the thumbtack style as well as those that clamp onto branches. I prefer the ones that you can clip onto tree limbs.
Don’t Use A GPS To Find Your Deer Stand In The Dark
You might think you could just use your phone’s GPS to find your way to your stand. That’s a bad idea, because staring at the screen of your phone greatly diminishes your natural night vision.
I also find that when I’ve tried to use a GPS to find my way to a deer stand, I end up putting down more of a scent trail going in. You’ll tend to veer off in the wrong direction over and over, and thus, your approach ends up being a wavy pattern.
Use Flashlights To Walk To A Deer Stand In The Dark
Headlamps Or Cap Lights Are Great
Either headlamps, or those flashlights that attach to your cap are very convenient for walking to a deer stand at night. They keep your hands free for carrying things and for climbing. With that said, I honestly don’t use those styles of lights very much. I prefer a standard small white flashlight.
Bright Flashlights Are A No
I don’t like to use big bright flashlights on the trek to and from the stand. Instead, I reserve those brighter options for when I need to blood trail a deer in the dark.
Ideally you’ll want to have 2 flashlights for deer hunting, one for the walk in and out and another larger one for blood trailing at night.
Do Red Lights Spook Deer?
It’s commonly known that the colors red and orange aren’t as visible to deer as other colors are. This has something to do with the concentration of rods vs cones in their eyes. You can read more about that here.
Red Is The Least Visible Color To Deer
There is a reason hunters have been using red and orange clothing during deer season for many decades now. Humans see red very well, whereas deer certainly do not. In fact, blue is actually the color that deer are believed to see best. So don’t wear your blue jeans to the stand!
Can Deer See Red Light Though?
Does a deer’s inability to see the color red translate into red “lights” being less visible to deer? I have my doubts about that. If anything, a red light doesn’t shine as far as a white light, and thus may be the reason you don’t spook as many deer with red.
Reason To Use A Red Light
The main advantage of a red flashlight for a deer hunter is actually so that it doesn’t interfere with the hunter’s night vision. That would be the only reason I would choose a red light over a white one.
Do Green Lights Spook Deer?
Yes, deer will be able to see any color light, so I think any color is going to have the potential to spook deer.
Without expounding on green flashlights too much, you should know that green is the other color, besides red, that hunters often use in place of a white flashlight. That’s because, like red, green is another color that deer don’t see very well. That’s why you see so much green in popular camo patterns. The same points above, for red, largely apply to green as well.
Just Walk In With No Light At All
On moonlit nights, it’s certainly possible to navigate to your stand while using no light at all. That assumes you’re familiar with the area. The better you know an area, the darker it can be and not affect you. In fact, I deliberately arrange my trail to the stand so that I don’t need a light, except on the darkest of nights.
If the tradeoff is going to be either using a flashlight, or wandering around in the dark rubbing up against brush everywhere and making a bunch of noise, choose the light!
Wait Until First Light To Go To The Deer Stand
I find that if I’m hunting an area that’s difficult to navigate, it’s best to wait until first light before heading to the stand. If a really bright light is needed in order to safely find your way in the dark, then it’s probably best to just wait for “gray light”.
I do know of hunters, me included, that have killed mature bucks right at first light. So, you may be giving up something if you forego getting to your stand early. However, I’m betting that over the course of a season, you’re gaining back that potential loss by not lighting up the whole woods with a flashlight and spooking deer. I think it evens out over time.
Use A Bright Light For Safety In Public Woods
Personally, I have trouble trusting some small percentage of hunters. I feel that a bright white light serves as some protection from that very small minority of careless hunters that could mistake you for an animal.
While I do think you alert more deer to your presence when using a flashlight, I think the tradeoff is worth it.
Any time I’m hunting a property where I think there is a possibility of other hunters being present, I use a flashlight. A white light notifies any nearby hunters of your presence. I have kids at home and safety always trumps the potential of spooking a few deer.
Keep your light pointed towards the ground as much as possible in order to spook as few deer as possible.
Conclusion
When possible, clear a small pathway to your deer stand so that you only need the dimmest of lights to find your way. If your trail is not easy to follow, put up some reflectors to light the way. Then, you can get away with a dimmer flashlight that “potentially” won’t spook as many deer.
When deer hunting near others, whether that be on public land or on shared private property, I forego the stealthy approach and just use a bright white light. For safety reasons, I think it’s always best to be seen by any nearby hunters, especially during gun season. Once I’m actually in the stand, I may flip on a dimmer red light to get things situated.
Don’t forget, if you get in a pinch and forget your flashlight, you could always use your cell phone light!
Be safe out there!
Augustus Clay
