moon lighting

[rick in mi]

Ok guys,gals,any good tips on running the F75 at night? Come spring been thinking of hitting some parks at night away from the crowds(legally ofcourse) I know I seen on here once were someone used a filter over the screen,is that because of glare? Any tips on gear or techniques?,or is it just not worth the hassle? My hunting buddy may be going to second shift,so we where tossing this idea around. Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated. hh rick in mi.

 

[jim tn]

rick, I've done the moon light hunting thing a few times over the years, mainly just to get out as long hours and weekend work kept me from digging normally. It was back in the years long before the F 75 and a lit screen would have been welcome. One of the places I recall was an old fairgrounds that had enough street light help to be able to see the screen most of the time. The only thing I did a little different back then was to be more aware of my surroundings. Today, unfortunately, that is a must, day or night. If you have a safe spot, go for it. The finds will still be the same. HH jim tn

 

[mudpuppy]

Yeah, theres some great little clip on lEDs now that are helpful with the F70...find one that suits you the best, even those baseball caps with the two little LEDs on them might be great..I mainly shoot the Grand Haven beach in the dark, never tried to actually go to a place where a fellow would have to dig.
I clip on a little light to the elbow cuff of the detector and aim it at the screen. I try to keep from using it if possible, and dont like to attract attention. You know dang skippy if the cops see a searchlight out there, they'd come a running....Hope this is a quick storm eh Rick?

 

[jmaryt]

rick!..believe it or not!..try a headlamp!..it works!..it ain't the same as daylight,.but you
can center the light just by moving your head in the correct direction!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Neita SC]

I also ise the baseball cap that had three modes of LEDs, Got it major hardware store for about $20

 

[TerraDigger]

http://www.dorcy.com/p-25-41-2098-145-lumens-led-headlamp.aspx

Do they cost more....YES.....are they best quality...........YES.........

I own one.....they really put out light.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

I own one almost exactly like that. VERY useful for all kinds of things! I like it so much I bought 2. Put the spare in my truck. Would be perfect for night hunting! Bright too!

 

[psyvad]

Hunting at night is a great way to get away from the crowds at parks and schools. The backlight on the F75 is perfect for night hunting. I also wear a headlamp ($11 Energizer headlamp I bought at Target) which I only turn on when recovering targets.

When I dropped my son off at the basketball practice tonight, I spent an hour detecting the sports field of the middle school. Didn't find anything exciting, about $2 in quarters, one Sac dollar and a small junk ring.

Enjoy!

Bart (the other Bart Davis)

 

[Clad2Hunt]

I got mine at Bass Pro and it is great even if the screen is lit like the 705. Comes with color filters if bugs are a problem.

 

[TerraDigger]

they are $29.95 on the mfg's website, and there is currently a 20% off online coupon when you click to order. You don't have to believe me, read other buyers reviews on the mfg's site for this little gem of a flashlight.

 

[wharghoul]

Rick

I hunt almost exclusively at night because of my job. The first few years of doing it I experimented with various headlamps, flashlights, etc....Now, the only thing I carry is my Pro Pointer. I find that once my eyes adjust that I don't need a light while walking and the l.e.d on the pinpointer is all that is needed for the recovery. I'm not sneaky, I only hunt in places where I get permission. Nonetheless, I still don't like to draw attention to myself.

For me, I love night hunting, it's a peaceful retreat after a hard day at work with the only drawback being that I can't hunt some of those virgin sites back in the woods that I've been itching to get to.

Actually, for me, the backlight on the F75 LTD is too bright, I'm toying with the idea of putting a red static cling film over the display. That's one improvement I'd like to see on the next gen. flagship detector from fisher, a red back light that preserves my night vision.

 

[Monte]

I mainly night hunt in the summer when I am out hitting ghost towns and similar out-of-the-city sites. Hot desert sun can take it out of me and the calm, comfortable nights are great!

I also hunt in the evenings, and occasionally through the night, when working some city locations, but I am much more cautious. In the '60s and '70s it wasn't uncommon to see quite a few people out at night, flashlights in hand, working city parks and school grounds looking for worms. Back then it was often seen but we didn't have the crime rates we do today. I am mainly talking about either 'bad areas' of mid-to-large towns, especially. I'd hunt nights back then and have worm-hunters ask what I was doing, and if I had a new 'worm-finding' device!

The advantage worm seekers had was that we didn't have the same sort of crime rate as today, and they hunted in groups of 2 through 6 sometimes. What a family night activity, huh! There is safety in numbers, so in-town I sometimes like a hunting buddy when night hunting. No, I don't always have one handy all the time and hunt alone the bulk of the time.

I also remember that it wasn't a problem hunting all night long back then at most places, even in the 'big city' atmosphere, and some of the parks had a 12-midnight closure time. Now, many of them are 10 PM or just closed from 'sunset-to-sunrise.' So, make sure you know the legal limits that apply to places you want to hunt.

Naturally, I suggest you stay away from the more troublesome parts of town, too. I know that in some questionable locations I will often hunt parking strips after dark because they have street lights, and if things get 'uneasy' I can quickly skedaddle! Also, in a few locations where I want to work a city park that is accessible until late, I work the parking strips or close to the road for a while so passing cops can see me and what I am doing. Sometimes they'll stop just to make sure everything is okay, or just to see if I am finding anything. That gives me the opportunity to get their opinions about the neighborhood and venturing out into the darker reaches of the park. Also, if they drive by later, they will know who that is out there.

I like a headlamp to not just see the display and controls, but to illuminate the ground and monitor my search coil sweeps and proper over-lapping. It is especially helpful when hunting ghost towns or similar places where there can be uneven ground, brush, debris, and other things. Even if a nice flat park is hunted, I still like a headlamp. I also keep a small flashlight or two with me, depending upon the weather/temps.

There are times when I have better success at night than I do in the daytime because I am not drawn off-track so easily. I work slower and more methodically, thus finding more in the long run.

Good luck on your trips out.

Monte

 

[rick in mi]

Great tips,I have right now a Streamlight I use for fishing at night,slips over your head,I like wharghou mentioned spotlights draw the wrong attention,wow I never thought about my pro pointer it does have a light on it(always wondered why da) Good point jimtn,kinda like fishing a new lake at night,helps if you have a good idea of your surroundings.Think I will scout a few places during the day,then hunt them at night.Mudpuppy looks like its over,for now,got a 6 foot drift in the drive,and against my front door.Them 'noreasters' leave a mark!!!! Thanx for the info guys....hh rick in mi.

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I'm a caver and I have carbide lights to wheat mining lights. When I MD in the dark I don't want to stand out like a bright star. I like my Wall Mart $2 light I clip on my hat. It's enough light for me with out lighting up the neighborhood.