when I used to guide I was tracking a clients wounded deer alone a few hours after dark and had given up for the night and was walking out with my flashlight off and in the silence I heard a noise that sounded like an arrow sliding on a rest in a tree above me, it kind of creeped me out, so I flicked my light into the tree to find some whack job at full draw aiming right at me. He let the bow down and then started yelling at me about being an idiot for walking around public land with my light off and that I was lucky he didn't shoot me... I did not say much of anything just made tracks away from him swiftly. I learned at a young age not to argue with armed idiots. When I got out his truck was parked next to mine, I went to meet the client who had gone to get his hunting partner at Gaugerts gas station in Sullivan. It took almost an hour and when we drove back past the guys truck was still there...
Up till that point I rarely used a light and prided myself on my stealth approach... One of my best traits ( in my opinion ) is my ability to recognize mistakes and not repeat them. I now use some form of light. I usually just flick it enough that anybody poaching deer knows I am human. I don't believe poaching is a huge problem here, but that experience was a well taught lesson... I have said many times if you stop look and listen, each one of us can learn something from everybody else regardless of how good or bad they are... That Dude taught me one of my most valuable lessons that day, and for that I thank him, even if he is an idiot poacher.