If you want more success when you hunt at night, use the right LED hunting lights. Hunting lights will help you spot predators from their eye glow, see hogs more clearly, and line up your shots better. Here's a few things this article can help you with:

• Choosing the right color: red for predators, green for hogs, and IR for better vision.

• Why you should be setting up a light bar instead of relying on a gun mount or flashlight.

• A few lights that can get you started with more successful hunts.

Ready to light up your night hunting?

Why Use a Hunting Light or Predator Lights?

There are a few reasons you should be using hunting lights at night:

• Lights will help you spot your targets. For example, red lights are super effective at reflecting the eyes of predators. When you start calling in coyotes or bobcats, a hunting light will help you spot them on the way in.

• Using more light will keep you safer since you are less likely to misfire or target something wrongly.

• Lights also promote ethical hunting by helping you line up your shots better for a clean kill.

These are just a few of the reasons to browse the hunting lights on the market. There are two more questions to answer.

Is a Gun Mounted Light or Vehicle/Stand Mount Better for Hunters?

Many people start night hunting with a gun light or small torch. These can work great, but they can also cause some problems. For example, if you are lining up your shot, the beam of your light will come down to focus on your target, which could "burn" them and mean they flee. A scope light is also usually more focused, leading to harsher shadows that can spook prey.

On the other hand, mounting an LED light bar on your truck, ATV, or high stand is a much better way to go. You won't have to worry about battery life and you can use a much more powerful light. A steady light can also cause less shadow jumps, leading prey and predators to approach with less caution.

Which Light Features are Most Important for Predator Hunters?

For predator hunters, the most important feature is long beam distance. The main idea is to set up your light in your location and then call the predators in towards you. You'll want to spot their eye glow as far away as possible to line up your shot. This is where mounting LED lights can be helpful because of their greater power and beam distance.

The Advantages of LED Lights for Hunting

LED technology makes hunting lights better. People used to ahve a white light with a color filter over the bulb to produce red, green, and other colors. Now, the LED lights can produce the perfect color wavelengths without a filter.

Why Choose LED Over Traditional Filters

The leap from traditional filters to LED lights makes perfect sense for a few reasons:

• LED lights are known for their durability and reliability, making them better in the field.

• They offer a significant range improvement over older filter systems since there is no filter to block part of the light's brightness.

• They also use less power and produce less heat, making them more efficient and reliable during longer hunts.

Comparing LED to Other Light Sources

You've really only got about three options for light sources:

• Older halogen bulbs with a filter. These burn out and throw less light.

• You could buy a colored halogen bulb but these are even more expensive and less reliable.

• LED lights are now much more affordable, brighter, and more reliable.

Understanding Light Colors for Hunting

Let's take a quick look at the different colors hunters can use at night. There are three main colors, but many hunters are also turning to infrared light, especially when paired with night vision goggles or scopes.

White Light

White light, especially warm yellow lighting, is really useful for illuminating a whole area. It's too bright for some hunting needs, but perfectly suited for others. For example, a low-intensity floodlight set up along a game trail could be great for monitoring activity. Wildlife photographers could also use white lights.

Green Light

Green lights are used for hunting hogs, although they can work for other prey animal as well. Green provides good illumination without casting as many hard shadows. Shadows are often what spook the prey, so green could keep the targets in sight longer to line up your shot.

Red Light

Animals do not see red light as well as people. This means all animals are less likely to be spooked by red light. More importantly, many predators, such as foxes, coyotes, and bobcats, have eyes that strongly reflect a red light. So, using a red light bar could light up their eyes and signal to you when they are approaching the kill zone.

Hunting Different Game Species

While you could hunt almost anything at night, people really focus their hunts on three kinds of animals: deer, predators, and swine. Let's take a quick look at why and how they do it.

Hunting Deer at Night

Green light will help you spot deer at night. It will provide better illumination, even at low brightness levels. It also minimizes shadows, which are known to spook deer. Use a low intensity light bar or set it up a good distance from your kill zone.

Predator Hunting Techniques

Predator hunting requires certain strategic techniques, especially when the challenge involves lurking in darkness. The best strategy is to set up a fixed light, such as a red LED bar on your truck or ATV. Then, after the light has been on for a little while, start to call in predators with whatever call works best for the species you are hunting. Lie in wait and look for the reflection from their eyes as they approach. Line up your shot and take them down.

Hog Hunting Strategies

Hogs respond well to fixed feeders and baits. So, to make your hunt more successful, set up a green LED light to flood the area around the bait or feeder. Once the hogs have come in, you will be in position to line up your shot and make the kill. The green light will help you see while also minimizing the shadows and distortions that could spook the hogs.

Infrared Lights and Night Vision

Infrared lights do not produce any visible light. This makes them pretty useless for most things, but very good at one thing:

They will absolutely light up the night when combined with the correct scope, goggles, or night vision camera. Their light is what these products rely on to produce vision, so using an infrared light bar will help you hugely if you use night vision products.

Practical Tips for Using Hunting Lights

When it comes to hunting, proper lighting is essential, and not all lights are created equal. If you're a seasoned or aspiring predator hunter, here's the 411 on using hunting lights effectively to notch up your game:

1. Choose the right light: Gun lights could be good, but pod lights and light bars are better for many hunting situations.

2. Know your prey: For hog hunting, use green lights, and not super bright ones, either. For predators, turn on the red lights.

3. Brightness and distance: You should keep your lights as dim as possible without compromising the vision you need. Look for lights that throw a long way while not being too bright.

4. Battery life: Torches and gun lights rely on batteries that could be unreliable. Fixed mounts can use your truck or ATV battery for much greater stamina and reliability.

Light Mounting and Handling

We sell light bars, pod lights, and portable LED lights. There may be a place for headlamps and scope lights, but they aren't our thing. It's too easy to move a headlamp suddenly and spook your prey. Instead, we've designed lights that can be equipped on almost any vehicle or even set up with a small power source in a hunting stand.

Product Recommendations

10 Inch Red LED Predator Hunting LED Light Bar

The Black Oak LED Pro Series 2.0 10" Red LED Light Bar is ideal for hunters seeking stealth and efficiency. Its red LEDs ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife, optimal for predator hunting. Superior durability, enhanced visibility, and easy installation make it a top choice for night hunting adventures.

The Black Oak LED Pro Series 2.0 10" Green LED Light Bar is a game-changer for hog hunting at night. It offers exceptional brightness and durability, with green LEDs that are perfect for spotting hogs without alarming them. Easy installation and robust construction make it a reliable addition for any hunter.

The Black Oak LED Pro Series 2.0 2" Red LED Predator Hunting Pod Light is a must-have for hunters. Its red LEDs protect night vision and avoid startling game, while providing excellent visibility. Compact, durable, and weather-resistant, it's perfect for any hunting vehicle, enhancing night hunting effectiveness.

2 Inch Green LED Hog Hunting Pod Light

The Black Oak LED Pro Series 2.0 2" Green LED Hog Hunting Pod Light revolutionizes night hunting. Its green LEDs enhance stealth, ideal for approaching game unnoticed. Robust and weather-resistant, it's perfect for ATVs, UTVs, and trucks, offering exceptional visibility without alarming hogs, making it an essential tool for hunters.

20 Inch 940nm Infrared IR LED Double Row Light Bar

The Black Oak LED Pro Series 2.0 20" Infrared IR LED Light Bar is a standout choice for hunters using night vision optics. Emitting at 940nm, it's invisible to the naked eye but illuminates the night for night vision devices. Its robust construction and enhanced visibility make it indispensable for night hunting.

Why Choose Black Oak LED?

Black Oak is a family-owned business operated by veterans. We are committed to setting you up with the best equipment on the market. Here's why our lights are the best:

• Ensure visibility in dark, hard-to-see areas

• Are highly durable and built to withstand rough terrain

• Long lasting – average life span of our lights is 50,000 hours

• Resistant to water and other harsh weather conditions

• Install quickly and easily

• Look great wherever they are placed

• Are backed by industry leading customer support

Check out the lights we've recommended above or look through all our lights. If you've got questions or want some help, just reach out. We'll be happy to help you find the perfect light for what you have in mind.

FAQ

What is the Best Color Light for Night Hunting?

The best color for night hunting depends on the game you are targeting. Green is often preferred as it provides great visibility without startling most game species. Red is ideal for its long range and subtle appearance to animals, making it less likely to spook them. White offers superior brightness and clarity but can be more alarming to wildlife. Each color has its specific advantages, so the optimal choice varies based on the animal being hunted and the hunter's personal preference.

What is the Right LED Light for Hunting?

Choosing the right LED light for hunting involves considering several factors. Brightness is crucial; a higher lumen count means better visibility. The beam distance is also important, as a longer range is beneficial for spotting game from afar. Additionally, battery life is a key consideration, as hunts can last several hours, and you wouldn't want your light to fail in the dark. Lastly, think about the color, as different animals react differently to various colors.

Is it Legal to Hunt with Lights at Night?

Hunting with lights at night is subject to legal restrictions that vary by location. In some areas, using lights for night hunting is completely legal, while in others, it may be prohibited. The legality also depends on the species you're targeting. It's essential to consult local game and wildlife authorities for specific regulations in your area to ensure compliance with the law.

What is the Role of Infrared Lights in Night Hunting?

Infrared lights are instrumental in enhancing night hunting experiences. They provide increased visibility by illuminating the hunting field without alerting the prey, thanks to their invisibility to the naked human eye. This advantage is amplified when used in conjunction with night vision scopes or cameras. Infrared lights also aid in safe navigation of terrain and minimize disruption, maintaining the natural behavior of wildlife. By using infrared lights, hunters can effectively overcome the challenges of night hunting.