It would be a good idea to go visit the police and get acquainted. The only nighttime outdoor hobbies they are familiar with are burglary, vandalism and so forth.

You want to be sure your hobby isn't mistaken for those others.

A friend of mine had a big spotlight he could power from his truck's cigarette lighter. He would go drive slowly somewhere in the forest "looking for eyes." I don't know that he found trouble that way and it sounds kind of like fun but just think of it from everyone else's point of view- someone calling the cops on him would be the least dangerous thing that might happen. I lost touch with him so don't know if he ever had trouble from it.

Most folks think of nighttime for indoor stuff. Like Rock Music! Or ham radio. Or surfing the internet.

Do let us know what you eventually do. I find the question interesting.