More Americans today have embraced the outdoors and among the most popular activities in this lifestyle is hunting. Of course hunting has been part of life since early civilization but today, this is a multi-billion dollar industry that leverages the latest technologies. The deer hunting territories in the U.S attract hunters from across the globe.
But there are many other animals which are included in the American hunter’s repertoire including turkeys, grouse, doves, ducks, squirrels, and elks among others. To get the best out of your hunting experience, you need the right gear and one of the most important items you need is a hunting headlamp. If you are serious about your hunt, then you need this accessory in your kit before you get started.
To millions of people, hunting is more than just a sport; it is a way of life. If you want to get into the element and enjoy the experience, you need professional gear that will help you follow the guidance given. Hunting headlamps are an essential for both beginners and old hands in the game. This is why you need to take some time to understand more about these accessories and how they will change your hunting experience.
Background on Hunting in the U.S
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) says there are over 14 million hunters in the country today and the number is growing. In 2015 alone, 15 million people participated in hunting, again highlighting how popular this sport has become. The total amount of money spent on all hunting expenditure runs into millions of dollars, making this a top earner for the country.
While hunting has elicited a lot of debate, especially with conservationists, there is no denying the fact that this sport is a win-win both for the environment and the hunters. In fact, even the revenue that is generated helps the entire society. The individual hunter also benefits immensely from improved physical balance, exercise, enhanced coordination skills, increased mental discipline and mental relaxation.
The money that comes in through hunting licenses and sale of merchandise goes into hunting, with the average hunter spending over $2,484 every year on the sport. People participating in the sport contribute $8 million a day to support wildlife and wildlife programs and these efforts have helped turn large swathes of land into conservancies.
What to Consider When Buying a Hunting Headlamp
If you are still using a flashlight while hunting, you are missing out a lot. Your hands could be used for other things including carrying more important accessories and finding the shortest routes to your tree stand.In summary, headlamps are more beneficial because they are:
- Hands-free thus allowing you to do more with our hands.
- Brighter than flashlights –The beam distance is higher, allowing you to see further.
- Easy to carry as they are compact and lightweight.
- Durable – The best headlamps are tough and the body is built to withstand harsh hunting environments.
Headlamps will boost your hunting experience and this Outdoorgearup.com’s guide on hunting will help you find the best in the market.
With so many products in the market, finding the best headlamp for hunting can be a daunting task. You might end up paying through the nose for a product that won’t serve your unique hunting needs. Some of the things to consider include:
- Beam distance – You need to consider the beam distance, which is a combination of the ability of lens to focus the beam and brightness of the light. For better light during a hunt, go for a higher beam distance.
- Comfort – One reason to opt for a headlamp as opposed to sticking with a flashlight is the fact that it offers convenience. However, it has to be comfortable to wear if you want to use it without having it become a hindrance. It should also be comfortable to wear for some hours.
- Ease of use – It should be easy to turn on and off because these operations are critical during a hunt. Light can give you away and hence you need a headlamp that is easy to switch off.
- Battery life – Go for a longer battery life because this could be the difference between a successful hunt and a miserable time in the woods waiting for daybreak. The last thing you want when tracking that buck is for your headlamp battery to die off because this could have been your biggest catch yet.
- Lumens – Lumens output of a headlamp matters a lot but it is also a very confusing feature. This is a measurement given by an integrating sphere and gives the total light energy being emitted by a lamp from every direction. This measurement should not be considered in isolation but in combination with the beam distance.
- Beam type – You can choose from flood/wide light, spot (focused/narrow light), flood/spot light.
- Brightness levels/ mode – You can choose strobe/flash mode for emergencies, lowand high or zoom mode.
Booting Your Hunting with the Best Headlamp
Now that you know how to choose the best lamp, why not consider the top performers in the market today? Take a look:
- LuxoLite CREE LED – This is a bright hunting headlamp with a traditional white light and a red option. It is lightweight and has options to enhance light brightness. It is waterproof, remarkably durable and comes with a lifetime warranty.
- The nyteBright T6 – Combines two hunting headlamps into one for more convenience (white light and red LED). Allows you to see about 110 meters, making this an ideal choice for hunting and shooting. It is easy to wear and easy to use.
- Vitcheo V800 Waterproof – Offers easy operations for white and red LED lights with separate buttons, making choosing the mode you want easier.
Of course there are other hunting headlamps worth mention including Capper – Nano Ultra Bright LED Headlamp Flashlight, BYB Super Bright LED Headlamp Flashlight with 2 Red Lights Steady, Smiling Shark 5000 Lumen Headlight Headlamp, Bushnell Rubicon H250L Headlamp, and Topwell Light Tactical 5000LM Headlamp among others.
When buying one of these hunting headlamps, make sure you compare durability, weight, beam distance, waterproof qualities, ease of use and of course the brand behind the product.
