A colored hunting light lets you scan for eyes and identify an animal at night with a lower chance of sending it running. Here is how the colors differ and what else matters when you choose a light.
First, check your local rules
Rules for hunting at night, and for using artificial light, night vision or thermal equipment, differ from state to state and often by species and season. Check the current regulations from your state wildlife agency before you buy or hunt.
Green, red or white?
- Green looks brightest to the human eye, so you can see farther and pick out detail more easily with the same power. Many hog hunters prefer it.
- Red is dimmer to our eyes but is widely regarded as the least likely to alarm wary coyotes and foxes at closer range. It also preserves your own night vision best.
- White gives the best color and detail for identification and for tracking afterwards, but animals react to it most.
No color is invisible to every animal. How you use the light matters as much as its color: bring the beam on gently, scan with the dim outer edge of the beam rather than the bright center, and keep it steady instead of switching it on and off.
Flood and spot
A light with an adjustable (zoom) head gives you both jobs in one: a wide flood for scanning a field edge and a tight spot for a longer look at one animal. The 1000-Yard Green LED Predator Hunting Light has this kind of adjustable beam.
Beam-distance figures describe how far the light reaches in ideal conditions. The distance at which you can positively identify an animal is much shorter, and that is the distance that counts.
Mounting and switches
- Rail mount. Check that the mount fits the rail on your rifle or scope ring. Picatinny and Weaver are the common standards.
- Pressure switch. A remote switch on the fore-end lets you turn the light on without moving your hands or your aim.
- Handheld use. For scanning, many hunters carry a second light by hand so the rifle only comes up once an animal is identified.
Water resistance and batteries
An IPX6 rating means the light withstands heavy rain and strong jets of water. It does not mean it can be submerged. Most hunting lights use rechargeable 18650 cells; charge them before each outing and carry a spare set, since cold nights shorten run time.
Safety
Eyes shining back at you are not identification. Wait until you can see the whole animal and what is behind it before you decide to shoot.