Page 24
September 11, 2020
LoneOStar Outdoor News
Lighting system helps deer avoid vehicles
—USDA
PRODUCTS
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Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program recently applied for a patent for a new vehicle-based lighting system to prevent deer-vehicle collisions during low-light conditions. Through a series of experiments with free-roaming white-tailed deer, researchers at the National Wildlife Research Center determined the use of a rear-facing light-emitting diode (LED) light bar — which illuminates a larger portion of the vehicle’s front surface than standard headlights alone — resulted in fewer dangerous deer-vehicle interactions. The likelihood of dangerous interactions decreased from 35 percent to 10 percent of vehicle approaches when using a rear-facing light bar plus headlights versus just headlights alone. The reduction in dangerous interactions appeared to be driven by fewer instances of immobility or “freezing” behavior by deer when the light bar was used. “This new lighting system takes advantage of a deer’s predator avoidance behavior (also known as flight behavior),” said lead author and former NWRC researcher Dr. Travis DeVault. “We predicted that light reflected from the front surface of the vehicle would provide a more reliable looming image to deer, thus encouraging the deer to move out of the path of the approaching vehicle.” When an object “looms,” it becomes increasingly larger to the perceiving animal. The technology can be incorporated as an after-market device, like a brush guard or bumper, or can be embedded in the vehicle as part of the manufacturing process.
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TIGER WALL 2 PLATINUM TENT: Outdoorsmen hiking to out-of-the-way spots to hunt or fish will appreciate the features that Big Agnes’ three-season tent offers. It is a double wall, two-door tent that weighs less than two pounds and has 28 square feet of floor space and two eight square-foot vestibules. It also offers an oversized ceiling pocket to store gear. And, the tent’s single-pole architecture makes it easy to set up and take down, even at night. The two-person tent costs about $550.
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2020 BOWMASTER+ BLIND WITH TM100: This tree blind by Cooper Hunting is 48 inches wide and 96 inches tall. It is engineered to work with climber stands, single ladder stands and more — or on the ground. Lightweight and collapsible, the blind is easy to transport. It includes a twopiece tree mount, the TM 100, which allows bowhunters to assemble the blind on the ground, then pull it up the tree. Constructed from a durable, waterproof fabric, the tree blind costs about $220. It is available in Mossy Oak’s Break-Up and Obsession patterns.
DIAMONDBACK HD SPOTTING SCOPE: Vortex Optics’ new spotting scope, available in several models including the 20-60x85 model (pictured), provides long-distance hunters with the power and clarity to see in low light or in dense cover. The HD optical system, which delivers crisp resolution, bright images and edge-to-edge sharpness, reduces eye strain during long glassing sessions. The scope’s exterior also has been streamlined for a sleek, snag-free profile. And, it has a built-in helical focus wheel that provides fast, fine adjustments. The MSRP for the angled scope is $599.99.
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Puzzle solution from Page 20
SHARKY III REEL: KastKing’s lightweight spinning reel is built with a high percentage fiber-reinforced graphite body and rotor. It offers up to 39.5 pounds of smooth triple disc carbon fiber drag, an oversized stainless-steel main shaft, and strong precision mesh manganese brass pinion gears for plenty of fishing muscle. It is saltwater-rated with doubleshielded stainless steel ball bearings, instant lock anti-reverse, stainless steel hardware, an aluminum handle, and generous line capacity. The reel costs about $52.
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GLIDE BAIT 178: This beautifully molded slow-sinking hard bait from Molix has realistic 3-D eyes and soft fins painted in six aesthetically pleasing color combinations, including the bluegill hue (pictured). It produces true-to-life curve action when slow retrieved but can get enticingly erratic with a jerking retrieve. Outfitted with ultra sharp swiveling treble hooks, it also has an ultraviolet coating to protect it from the sun’s rays. The 7-inch lure costs about $28.
