Low Light Shooting; When is It Too Dark?

[UTGrad]

I went out this evening and shot at my deer target where I could barely see my pin. This is typically the same level of light the last 5 minutes while I'm on stand before I come down. I wasn't very impressed with the results. At what point do y'all decide it is too dark to take a shot at a deer? I typically look at my surroundings and if I can't make a shot further than literally right under my stand it is too dark. I have found that 20 minutes after sunset in the woods is about the time when it is too dark for my vision.

 

[muddyboots]

When i cant see my pins

 

[Bowdacious]

My eyesight makes it difficult when the sun gets low. I usually pick a branch about 20 yds out when I get settled for the evening. When it gets blurry, I am done.

 

[knightrider]

if i cant tell if its a button or not its to dark

 

[TNDeerGuy]

When I can't see my pins, or be able to make out "the" spot on the deer it is time to get down�like you UT it is normally 20 minutes after sunset.

 

[UTGrad]

if i cant tell if its a button or not its to dark

Agreed and perfect example.

 

[dmitchell28]

I have noticed the only downside of blind hunting is your light gets cut down alot faster...I bought some brighter fibers from AT and it helps it out some...you know in your gut when its too dark.

 

[Buck Assassin]

I usually get down with a little bit of daylight left. That way I know I am not busting any deer that decides to come in right at dark. I don't think I have ever stayed in the stand untill dark while bow hunting.

 

[TJS209]

When I can't see 20 yds.

 

[stik]

when my eyes start playing tricks on me and the stump that i have been seeing all evening becomes a "deer." i am usually the last one out of the woods.

 

[TJS209]

when my eyes start playing tricks on me and the stump that i have been seeing all evening becomes a "deer." i am usually the last one out of the woods.

x2

 

[splitter]

when i start hearing spooky noises

 

[Radar]

5-10 minutes before legal shooting light ends for me . If I have deer around the stand , I just wait until they move off to get down .

 

[Bowdacious]

when my eyes start playing tricks on me and the stump that i have been seeing all evening becomes a "deer." i am usually the last one out of the woods.

x2

Because you aren't half blind in one eye.

 

[stryker]

When it's to dark to shoot one at 15 or 20 yards it's time to start gathering everything up and come down the tree.

 

[UTGrad]

With the exception of a ground blind, I never liked a light on my bow sight. If it was dark enough where I needed to turn on a light to see my pin it is too dark. When I would turn the light on my pin, it seemed to make the target in low light harder to see. I can't focus on my target in low light when there is a glowing pin.

 

[WRbowhunter]

I don't have a very bright sight but when I can not see the pin its time to pack it in. Even then depending on the location I may have packed up already. I've drawn on deer and can see my pin but the deer is just a dark blob.

 

[RUGER]

When I can't pick out a leaf laying on the ground 10 yards from my stand and hold the pin on it I get down.