Best color for yotes

[Ranger188]

Which color do you find coyotes see less, or are less wary of, green or red lights

 

[rebel]

Red lights seem to be in the majority to use around here. Problem seems to be the dogs can still detect a shadow being thrown by a red light that's very bright. A dimmable light seems to be the answer to this. For guys that can't pony up for NV or thermal, seem to want several things dim feature, rechargeable and bright when you need it.

 

[msinc]

I currently use 3rd gen night vision and I have one thermal FLIR weapon sight and one digital, so I haven't used lights for a while. When I did use light I started out with red and when they started acting spooky about it I swapped over to green and it would work for a while. I called in more fox than coyotes and of course gray fox could care less. Never tried white light, but would probably work on a gray. Reds and coyotes are different and get "educated" quick. I have a couple buddies that use lights and they are now saying that red works best for coyotes and not green. In fact, they are saying the coyotes immediately run away from green.
All that said, I still use light to walk in to the calling spots, but I use blue filters and it does not spook any animals that are around. Never tried blue for shooting cause I have the NV stuff, but it might be something to think about.

 

[Ranger188]

I would love to purchase a $ 3000.00 thermal scope but can't justify it for 5 months of fun.
I tried the cheaper ones and they aren't worth it. Rented a nice one and and that's
the only way to go. Maybe someday.
I know we spend more on rifles and such, but I can shoot my rifles 365.
In my state they only allow night hunting from Nov. 15 - Mar 15
I just like the extra fun of hunting them and helping out if I can.
I'm currently running a red light and just wanted to see what others
are doing. It's dimmable

 

[std7mag]

Heck, theres videos on the Tube with guys using white light on their heads, and a quad mounted spotlight setup in the bed of the truck.
And they still call 4 or so in.

 

[Nightraider]

No color works the best

 

[AckleymanII]

Remember the Color spectrum

Roy G Biv

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue

Indigo

Violet

Museums years ago found that they needed to display nocturnal animals so the public could see them. They found that nocturnal animals could not see the color red, and this is the color they used in the Viewing rooms.

Later on, scientists found that the rods and cones in the eyes of nocturnal animals are arranged in a way to make them color blind, and their brains are especially tuned to pick up movement vs color.

So, when choosing a light, choose the color red, IF LEGAL in your area. One poster brought up a particular good point in that they can see a shadow cast from red light. I would add that we played with this issue when we were doing so much hunting in Mexico for predators. First, 100,000 candle power is max we ever used, tight beam air craft landing lights. Million candle power lights seem great to a novice, but to an experienced hunter, coyotes see something going on, shadow, etc. Second, we would use darker red filters. Many newbies want to light up the whole world, and this is bad thinking. You only want to illuminate the eyes, so you hold the bottom of the beam at the top of their heads as the coyotes are coming in, then when you get ready to shoot, you drop the beam down where you can see the whole body. You never shoot at eyes.

We had other lights set up with only 35,000 candle power with red lenses used in tight cover.

 

[RegionRat]

Red works for sure, not sure about green because I have never tried it.
One issue is that illuminated scope crosshairs are often red and that can wash out on a red light sometimes.
I have played with green crosshairs to contrast on the red light but I'm just starting to play with it. So far so good.