best time to spotlight?
 

I was curious as to the best time to spotlight. i went out just now at 12:30 am and saw some deer but a nice buck on property i can't hunt. is best time for spotlighting like an hour or so after the sun goes down or later on like 12 or 2 am. also, is there any good way to see if the deer are bucks or does at night. most of the places i spot light are fields and sometimes the deer are 100 or more yards up in the field and all i can see is eyes. just curious as to what other people do. thanks

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

Anytime the game warden is on the other side of the county.:D

Just kidding. It's not legal where I hunt but I will do frequent 3 point turn arounds. It's good to stay in practice.

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

3 million Candle power light, Good set of BINOCS... and anytime ... big bucks are out LATE

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

When it is dark. Sorry couldn't resist. [8D]

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

Dont get caught Legacy, here in Pa you have to stop spotting at 11:00 pm, I go out at 930 till 1100

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

I have to agree with BobCo19-65 on this one. I'm gonna have to go with night time as the best time to shine. Yep. Night time, it is. ;)

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

In Maine it's best between 12/16 and 8/31 of the following year. I have best luck between dusk and 10pm or so.

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

adams, is it leagal at all in Maine? I remember a few years back we just shined the headlights in a field looking for deer and got chewed out.

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

As long as it's not between 9/1 and 12/15. The expanded archery season opens on 9/11 this year and closes on 12/14. The give the deer a couple of weeks prior to "hide" and it's legal again the day following the close of the season.


ILLUMINATING WILDLIFE: From September 1 to December 15, it is unlawful to use artificial lights from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise to illuminate, jack, locate, attempt to locate or show up wild animals or wild birds, except raccoons.

I love the way they word this damn provision. I sure hope it's illegal to "jack" wildlife.

RE: best time to spotlight?
 

i checked the book and you are only allowed to spotlight til 11 pm in pa. good thing cowboy told me about that before i got in trouble[:-]