5 Best Lights for Hunting at Night

Whether you’re tracking animals after dark or scaring bears away from camp, you’re going to need one of the best lights for night hunting.

While a regular unit can help you find your way in the dark, only a flashlight designed specifically for night hunting can overcome the unexpecting turns that the after-dark activity often takes.

With the right unit for night hunting, you’ll have a safer, more enjoyable experience bringing home the big bucks.

Key Takeaways

• There are approximately 15.2 million hunting license holders in the United States alone
• The best lights for night hunting make your trip easier and safer by offering a high output, compact size, long runtime and ultimate durability
• Headlamps are one of the most underrated, efficient means of light for night hunting due to their focused output, lightweight nature and hands-free use

Navigating and staying safe in the dark presents a set of challenges that are best combated with a quality flashlight designed for hunting at night.

Why You Need A Hunting Flashlight

An activity that began as a  means of survival has developed into an honored tradition and popular weekend hobby for many with approximately 15.2 million hunting license holders in the United States alone.

Your ordinary flashlight isn’t going to cut it when you’re up against animal tracking through thick brush and navigation of difficult terrain. The key to turning this favored form of sports and recreation into a successful after dark activity is having access to one of the best lights for night hunting.

Finding the right light to match your hunting style is an essential piece of the hunting puzzle and learning what qualities make up the best units is the first step to winning the game.

What To Look For

The best unit for night hunting offers a high output, takes up minimal space, has a long runtime and withstands harsh conditions. These qualities ultimately make hunting trips easier and safer by allowing you to focus fully on your surroundings.

Output

The amount of brightness produced by your flashlight is measured in lumens. Although a high lumen count is very important, flashlights with a high number of lumens are not necessarily going to allow you to see long distances.

To find a unit that can go the distance, look for a high number of candelas, also known as the measurement of light in a specific direction. A high number of candelas indicates far visibility and increased clarity in the dark.

Also, keep in mind that hunting requires both bright light to find your stand and dim light to help perform up-close tasks. This makes flashlights with multiple brightness settings ideal so the number of units you have to carry is limited.

Size

When it comes to weight, a lighter option is more ideal than a heavy unit if you’re traveling by foot into a hunting spot. To minimize the amount of extra weight you’re carrying, look for units made up of durable, lightweight materials such as aluminum and titanium.

The dimensions of your hunting flashlight are also important to consider. A large unit will obviously take up more space. If space is limited, you may want to consider one of the best headlamps for hunting.

The HM50R V2 Headlamp features a 700 lumen output, 377ft beam throw, 16340 rechargeable battery and 100% waterproofing for the ultimate hands-free experience.

Power Source

Hunting can often last longer than expected and you need a flashlight that lasts for the entirety of your trip. The type and amount of batteries your flashlight requires can make or break the success of your outing.

Disposable batteries can be easily replaced during your hunt if you have an extra set on hand and are also:

- Compact, portable and lightweight
- Independent of electricity
- Inexpensive
- Easily obtainable

Rechargeable batteries are also a reliable option due to:

- Higher power allows for bright lumen output
- Higher output allows for far reaching throw
- Large capacity for long-lasting battery
- Convenience and sustainable rechargeability
- Minimal ongoing costs

When it comes to deciding between units with disposable and rechargeable batteries, the decision ultimately depends upon personal preference.

Although, it’s important to take note of whether or not you’ll have a back-up battery option or built-in secondary power source to sustain the hunt in case your battery dies.

Weather Resistance

Night hunting calls for lights that will stand the test of Mother Nature and still come out shining.

If you’re hunting waterfowl after dark, it’s smart to carry a unit that can take a dive while you’re setting up decoys. Similarly, hunting high in the desert requires a unit that stops dust and dirt from settling into the body.

To make sure your hunting unit can withstand exposure to water, dust and dirt, take note of the product’s Ingress Protection, or IP, rating. An IP rating is defined as a measure of an enclosure’s ability to resist items entering it, such as water and dust.

IP ratings are classified by two-digit codes and summarize the level of protection present.

- First digit: represents level of protection against intrusion of foreign bodies (such as dust)
- Second digit: resistance against moisture (such as water)

For a better understanding of the different levels of protection, assess the chart below.

The best light for night hunting will have an Ingress Protection rating of IP68, indicating the lightest level of protection against water, dust and dirt.

5 Best Night Hunting Lights

Featuring each of the priority characteristics discussed above, here’s 5 of the best flashlights for night hunting.

TK16 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight

With an impressive 3100 lumens, the TK16 V2.0 is the perfect source of compact power. This unit features a rechargeable 21700 battery, advanced pulse frequency transmission for anti-interference performance, IP rating of IP68 and durable aircraft-grade aluminum body.

TK22 TAC Tactical Flashlight

This unit features 2800 lumens of output and offers a runtime of up to almost 50 hours. With its ultimate durability rating of IP68, double springs for optimal battery retention and a durable A6061-T6 aluminum body, the TK22 Tactical Flashlight won’t let you down.

LD22 V2.0 Compact EDC Flashlight

As the ideal compact, lightweight torch, Fenix’s LD22 V2.0 is perfect for when you’re on the hunt. This light shines with 800 lumens when powered with its rechargeable battery pack and is waterproof while submerged in up to 2 meters of water.

TK26R Tactical Flashlight

The TK26R features 5 white light modes to perfectly suit your conditions and red or green light options when you need to preserve your vision. With 1500 lumens of light, ability to withstand extreme weather conditions and both rechargeable and disposable battery options, this unit has everything you need for a successful hunt.

HT18 Hunting Flashlight

Fenix’s HT18 features 1500 lumens, long-range visibility and color filters for undetected travel through the woods. With this unit, you’ll have access to both a 21700 battery and/or 18650 battery to ensure long-lasting light.

On The Hunt

Even if you’re headed back to your traditional hunting ground, bringing one of the best lights for night hunting can make navigating the dark much safer and easier.

If you find yourself in a situation where you desperately need a flashlight, you’ll be thankful to have one. Visit Fenix today to learn more about the best high-quality lighting equipment to keep you safe outdoors after dark.