How essential is it to be a headlamp?
I guess it doesn't have to be a headlamp. But it is nice to have your hands free for your gun, treestand, etc. on the way into the woods. If I'm headed out of the woods dragging a deer it MUST be a headlamp, BUT at that point I just use white because if I already shot something then I am not worried about spooking deer with a white light.