I will be hunting during the nighttime hours and was wondering what the pros and cons of a spotlight would be. I don't have any scopes that are night "approved" or such. The use of a spotlight is vital unless we get some snow on the ground.

My question now is: Will it scare them if I scan the field every 5 minutes? Will they run as soon as they see it or will they stop? I would be calling them in if that makes any difference.

We hunt coyotes in Pennsylvania mountians and farm lands we use a power full spot light but we use a thin red cellathane over the lens area that tend's to not spook the coyotes off as much and you have time to get your shot off .We allso use bushnellsports mens veiw scope's they really dont need much light. try it and good luck

Thanks, anyone else use these red lenses or cyllophane?

I use an Optronics light with a 6v rechargable battery and a red lens. It claims it is good to 250 yards but I think 100 yards is more like it. Overall it is a decent light for around $50 from Gander Mountain. It will pick up eyes over 100 yards but won't illuminate much further.

Scanning the light every 5 minutes is going to reveal a very small percentage of the animals you call in most cases. Your best bet is a constant burning light source, especially on a Rheostat or dimmer control to prevent "Burning" an animal before you're ready for the shot. Lightforce makes the best scope light, hands down, but they are expensive. Rechargable spotlights are too bright, require an extra hand to shine with, don't have dimmers and are prone to going dead rather quickly. Pros and cons-

Thanks JRB, that was alot of help. Them dang scopes are so expensive though... []