Walking in before light
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catsbackr
Well-Known Member
Sometimes.
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Urban_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Only while walking, once I'm set up I'm fine to sit in the dark. Really just anxious knowing any second I'm going to jump some quail or a rabbit and it's going to startle me.
Personally I love it,part of what makes the hunt.I especially enjoy mornings when hearing things,not knowing,quessing,mind wondering then he sun slowly coming up and experiencing the woods coming to life.To me that's the best time
I just try to think of getting to my stand on the walk in, but once up I'm just excited, waiting on the sun and what may happen on this hunt. What's a little intimidating to me is walking from the truck into the black woods initially, after I get in and going it's pretty much gone. Eh, not skeered, maybe. 
chunkandwind
Well-Known Member
GreyGoose":1ebzrhzq said:
Yes sir. That's the good stuff.
At home, I do get the creeps, been bluff charged by a bear before and have been creeped out ever since. When I go outside outside of home though, doesn't bother me. Weird I know
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I don't walk in in mornings before light. In the afternoons I hate walking to my vehicle after dark. You never know some crackhead might have staked out ur vehicle.
Matador
Well-Known Member
We got bear on our lease too. You have a tendency to pay a lot more attention walking in when you know there are a few around.PickettSFHunter":3i86071y said:
On places I hunt regularly don't think about it. When I'm hunting land I'm not familiar with, I worry about old homesteads and wells,
I get more worried about walking up on a meth head checking his stash or someone simply up to no good more than a general spooky feeling.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
I normally have few worries walking in or walking out.
Just happy to be in the wilderness,
and glad to be able to walk long distances before dawn and after dusk.
Enjoy it while you can.
Just happy to be in the wilderness,
and glad to be able to walk long distances before dawn and after dusk.
Enjoy it while you can.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
But, I will say,
walking up on a bedded bobcat in broomsedge
WILL make your bowels move!
Have also had a bobcat mistake me for a turkey,
had cougars scream nearby while walking in the dark, etc.
One of the scariest few minutes I've had walking in (with wild animals)
was actually at LBL on a foggy morning. I was surrounded by coyotes, and they were under 40 yards in every direction, keeping up with me as I walked the North-South Trail, seeming to be coordinating an attack. There were 7 or 8 of them. This went on for maybe 10 minutes, then they just disappeared into the fog. It was quite a relief when I reached my spot, and climbed high in a tree, half-way expecting an attack before I got a few feet off the ground.
Never experienced anything like that with coyotes before or since that one time.
But usually more concerned about loose dogs than most wild animals.
Or worse, some meth-head on the run from the law.
A few years ago, three bison escaped their fenced area, and were "free ranging" a very large area.
Not sure if we should call them "wild", but they were more dangerous (IMO) than any black bear.
I really didn't want to suddenly find myself face to face with bison in the dark.
Those three were eventually killed by a Sheriff's Deputy, after they charged a car on a county road (outside LBL).
walking up on a bedded bobcat in broomsedge
WILL make your bowels move!
Have also had a bobcat mistake me for a turkey,
had cougars scream nearby while walking in the dark, etc.
One of the scariest few minutes I've had walking in (with wild animals)
was actually at LBL on a foggy morning. I was surrounded by coyotes, and they were under 40 yards in every direction, keeping up with me as I walked the North-South Trail, seeming to be coordinating an attack. There were 7 or 8 of them. This went on for maybe 10 minutes, then they just disappeared into the fog. It was quite a relief when I reached my spot, and climbed high in a tree, half-way expecting an attack before I got a few feet off the ground.
Never experienced anything like that with coyotes before or since that one time.
Accidently stepping into an old well or a new sinkhole is something that typically concerns me more than any animal getting after me.Moonman":2tetqshh said:
But usually more concerned about loose dogs than most wild animals.
Or worse, some meth-head on the run from the law.
A few years ago, three bison escaped their fenced area, and were "free ranging" a very large area.
Not sure if we should call them "wild", but they were more dangerous (IMO) than any black bear.
I really didn't want to suddenly find myself face to face with bison in the dark.
Those three were eventually killed by a Sheriff's Deputy, after they charged a car on a county road (outside LBL).
Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
Never really bothers me around here. My only fear is walking up on a skunk and getting sprayed. I love walking in on a frosty morning and out after sundown when there's a full moon.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
My only fear is getting down at night and getting turned around to head out through the woods. I've had to check my gps before because everything looks different in the dark. Also I've had my flashlight go out and had to use my phone flashlight which is not adequate. Years ago I had no light and tried to walk out in the dark and nearly fell into a deep ravine. I've jumped straight up in the air after I heard a rattler while walking out in the dark. I prefer to hunt mornings come to think on it.
Been wigged out twice walking in the mornings. I try to get in early as I usually have good movement at first light.
1) About 4 years ago a bobcat jumped out onto my trail in front of me maybe 15 yards and screamed! If you've never heard one scream, look it up. Its piercing. I wasnt ready and nearly wet my pants while having a heart attack. He just walked off and I sat down on the ground to get my heartrate back under control.
2). Last year Im walking into a stand Ive hunted many times. Through a large hayfield. Its super foggy so my light is useless. I can hear animals walking around me in this field. They are getting closer, now they are behind me as well and I'm surrounded. I'm freaking out. rifle out ready to go. Its cows!!!!!! NEver once in 3 years have I seen cows in this field but they got loose next door. Prolly 40 of them. It was so foggy I had to be with 10 yards to make out their shadows. Freaked me the hell out listening to them breathe without knowing what they were.
1) About 4 years ago a bobcat jumped out onto my trail in front of me maybe 15 yards and screamed! If you've never heard one scream, look it up. Its piercing. I wasnt ready and nearly wet my pants while having a heart attack. He just walked off and I sat down on the ground to get my heartrate back under control.
2). Last year Im walking into a stand Ive hunted many times. Through a large hayfield. Its super foggy so my light is useless. I can hear animals walking around me in this field. They are getting closer, now they are behind me as well and I'm surrounded. I'm freaking out. rifle out ready to go. Its cows!!!!!! NEver once in 3 years have I seen cows in this field but they got loose next door. Prolly 40 of them. It was so foggy I had to be with 10 yards to make out their shadows. Freaked me the hell out listening to them breathe without knowing what they were.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Oh yea! Forgot about those!Mike Belt":1dg7ksyg said:
They can be very hard to see (eyes don't reflect light like most other animals).
If one locks in on you and starts coming,
you'll either need to run or shoot.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Walk up on this in the long grass . . . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... xo8X5uIWRE
What's scarier is that's a female cougar in heat, and there may be an aggressive male
slipping up behind you :tu:
The big male is coming . . . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... E7YOJVSoIs
Even in daytime, you can get a thrill near an aggressive rutting bull elk!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... SpGd9p17n0
Or how about putting an arrow in a giant bull moose at 4 yards?
http://www.bowhunter.com/moose/moose-attack/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... xo8X5uIWRE
What's scarier is that's a female cougar in heat, and there may be an aggressive male
slipping up behind you :tu:
The big male is coming . . . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... E7YOJVSoIs
Even in daytime, you can get a thrill near an aggressive rutting bull elk!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... SpGd9p17n0
Or how about putting an arrow in a giant bull moose at 4 yards?
http://www.bowhunter.com/moose/moose-attack/
I have one of those friends. He tells me that the walk out in the evenings keeps him on edge. Things don't bother me, uh, him in the mornings.
Except maybe a bear. Or a methhead. That would bother me.
Except maybe a bear. Or a methhead. That would bother me.
larry ipock
Well-Known Member
Wasn't bothered much until the bear population started going up.
I'm always packing serious heat but yes, I get the heebie jeebies. I hunt in Franklin near a historic civil war battlefield . I'm always thinking of all the folks who died there and my neck hair stands up sometimes walking to the stand . Mornings only BTW???
Hunter 257W
Well-Known Member
I sometimes find myself waking up before my alarm clock goes off dreading going out into the dark. I'll stop and try to rationalize exactly why I'm feeling such dread and I have no idea but it's there many mornings. That's one reason why i mess around a lot of mornings and walk out after 1st light. I have no problem at all with walking back to the house in total darkness in the evening. For some reason if I'm out in the evening and get to see the darkness gradually replace sunlight I am perfectly at ease walking anywhere in the area. I love sitting out until dark and then walking back to the house with a bright moon overhead.
Mike Belt":24mdx8jd said:
x2 Nothing really concerns me except the fear of walking up on a skunk. I usually don't have any light on, so it could happen. I did get a little spooked one morning up in IL a few years ago when a buck snort-wheezed at me from about 20 yds. I did turn my light on then to make sure he knew I wasn't another deer. He was a nice deer, but not a shooter.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
It's never really bothered me. I don't use a light but have a small one if needed. There have only been a few times I've been on edge.
One was having a group of coyotes trail me about 300 yards after dark over a mile from camp. They ran to about 15 yards and got silent. I stood with my gun at the hip. After about 30 seconds they all took off.
The second was walking up on a really big buck that was bedded with a doe. It was one of those mornings where it was damp and you could be extremely quiet. Got within 5 yards of them. The doe took off and the buck squared up to me. I chambered a round and had my rifle at the hip and got my little light out. All I could tell was he was a great buck and he started quartering towards me at about 4 steps (like they do to decoys). He kinda did a 1/2 circle around me and took off like a bandit. Shweew - I just took a deep breathe and kept on to my stand.
If I hunted where meth heads or anyone might be up to no good, I'd definitely be carrying during archery. I'm pretty ok with having just a rifle while out there. I'm almost too bold, but I think that's due to hiking in the mountains of CO archery hunting for elk every September before the season starts here. Being out there with bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, etc...and hiking miles and miles in the dark, you just get into a different mindset. I do have my pistol at the ready though. I hiked 57 miles in 5 1/2 days this past September. After dealing with the elements out west (also temp and weather conditions) when I get back here, the rain, temps, animals do not deter me much at all.
A human with bad intentions is a different story. Just be aware of your surroundings when you approach or are leaving your vehicles.
One was having a group of coyotes trail me about 300 yards after dark over a mile from camp. They ran to about 15 yards and got silent. I stood with my gun at the hip. After about 30 seconds they all took off.
The second was walking up on a really big buck that was bedded with a doe. It was one of those mornings where it was damp and you could be extremely quiet. Got within 5 yards of them. The doe took off and the buck squared up to me. I chambered a round and had my rifle at the hip and got my little light out. All I could tell was he was a great buck and he started quartering towards me at about 4 steps (like they do to decoys). He kinda did a 1/2 circle around me and took off like a bandit. Shweew - I just took a deep breathe and kept on to my stand.
If I hunted where meth heads or anyone might be up to no good, I'd definitely be carrying during archery. I'm pretty ok with having just a rifle while out there. I'm almost too bold, but I think that's due to hiking in the mountains of CO archery hunting for elk every September before the season starts here. Being out there with bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, etc...and hiking miles and miles in the dark, you just get into a different mindset. I do have my pistol at the ready though. I hiked 57 miles in 5 1/2 days this past September. After dealing with the elements out west (also temp and weather conditions) when I get back here, the rain, temps, animals do not deter me much at all.
A human with bad intentions is a different story. Just be aware of your surroundings when you approach or are leaving your vehicles.
The only time I wigged out was one afternoon I was deep in the woods on Anderson Tulley but not far from a logging road so I had a easy walk out at dark. I got out of my stand and a pack of coyotes sounded off real close, kinda makes your hair stand up and all I have is a bow.
I carry now so not much to be scared of except maybe a cougar...lol
I carry now so not much to be scared of except maybe a cougar...lol
Not at all, I cut my teeth coon hunting in the dark, and navigating the woods, with little to no light at all. I know the "dark" sort of scares A LOT of people, but the reality is, one is far safer in the river bottoms in the pitch black dark, than on a well lit street in a bustling downtown area.
tn24
Well-Known Member
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Walking in woods doesn't bother me. Where I walk through fields I worry about skunks. I almost stepped on one once. The worst is walking through pasture fields and getting to close to a cow and newborn calf. I've had to do a little dodging and yelling a time or two. some of those mama cows can be very protective.
catman529
Well-Known Member
It never bothered me, I like sitting in the dark before it gets light.
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