Many years ago I learned a valuable lesson.

I was hunting whitetail deer in Idaho and it was getting late.  As I eased up an overgrown logging road, I spotted a patch of white.  Through my scope I saw that it was the throat patch of a buck.  I centered the crosshairs on his chest and pulled the trigger.

At the shot he crashed off into the brush just as night closed in.  I didn’t have any kind of a light and searching for him in the dark was futile.  The next morning I hiked back in and found him within 50 yards of where he had been the night before.

Ever since then I have always carried at least one flashlight and often two whenever I head out into the woods.

Back then the Mini Mag lights were the ticket.  Over the years I have gravitated away from handheld lights and now use headlamps almost exclusively.  Having both hands free to work without holding a flashlight between your teeth is a major step up, in my opinion.

I have tried quite a few.  From the cheap hardware store brands to the expensive backpacker models.  Rechargeable and battery powered.

They have all worked well enough to get me back home safely, but some have worked better than others.

I like headlamps with a colored light option, usually red.  I’m no expert, but the prevailing thought is that a red or green light is less likely to spook game.

I also like to be able to adjust the brightness.  Dimmer light works well around camp in the morning or evening and saves energy.  Bright light to see my way out of a mess.

Lately I have been using an HF8R RGB Core headlamp made by Ledlenser, and overall I am impressed.  Ledlenser makes lights specifically for hunters and fishermen, which I like.  A lot of outdoor companies make good lights, but many of them don’t support and sometimes actively oppose hunting, so I am not in a rush to give them my money.

You backpack hunters that are cutting the handle off your toothbrushes might find the HF8R RGB is a little hefty at almost 7 ounces, but it is loaded with features.

You can choose between red, green, blue or white light.  I have discovered that I like hiking in the dark with the green light better than the red, and the blue light is a game-changer when you are looking for blood.

It also automatically dims for close-up work and is the brightest headlamp I have used when looking at distance.  With a run time between three and 10 hours, the rechargeable battery hasn’t let me down yet.

While the Ledlenser costs more than a hardware store light, I am willing to spend the money for the quality.  My poor decision-making skills frequently leave me far from the truck long after the sun has set.  Having a good light to navigate the deadfalls and thick brush is worth the peace of mind.

Drop us a line at shootingthebreezebme@gmail.com.

Rod Carpenter is a husband, father, and a huntin’ fool.