looking at getting into thermal hunting for coyote this next season. Im trying to figure out if there is a preferred method for entering a field and scanning it while calling. Do you enter witha red light or white light? To your setup and then scan just thru the thermal on rifle or use a monocular? Just looking at getting into thermal hunting it right now
Coyotes at night
- Thread starter Butcher
- Start date
I typically park then scan the area with my monocular. If it's clear, I'll keep walking in being mindful of wind. I'll stop and scan until I get to the area I call. I use a white light and try to keep it pretty concealed. Some nights the moon is so bright you don't need a light at all.
Starting out, scanning with your thermal on the rifle is ok. I think you'll quickly see it's a lot easier to have a handheld scanner as well, but the cost adds up.
Starting out, scanning with your thermal on the rifle is ok. I think you'll quickly see it's a lot easier to have a handheld scanner as well, but the cost adds up.
Elkwhisper
Well-known member
If anyone is interested in have a killer deal on a new in the box thermal that can be used both handheld and weapon mounted...
kiwi hunter
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If I know the ground well no light, but red is best if need to use one.
I walk and scan with mono, cover fair bit of land, shoot off three pod stick
millerkiller77
Well-known member
I guess it depends on what type of thermal you are using. Mine have built in wifi and Bluetooth so I or a spotter can watch the scanning on an iPad or other device without being stuck inside the scope. Use Bobro mounts and put the thermal on a tripod, or leave it on the rifles while remote viewing on a different device.
The price of getting into this looks high but it would be great to have something to do after season or even whenever I have a chance to jump out at night. My area is hurting badly from coyotes with no one trapping. I’ve gotten trailcam pics of 5 coyotes in a single photo. Literally having fhem chase deer by me while in the stand this past season. I want to do my part
Nightvision is 1/5 the cost of thermal if economics is a concern.
Hunting Wife
Well-known member
I usually scan as I walk in, long before I start calling. No lights, and be very careful of the wind. I mostly hunt like I do in the day- keep the truck hidden, keep the noise down, stealthy entrance, get away from the road.
Not sure about anywhere else, but they’ve gotten very wary about coming in at night here. Much more so than just a few years ago. I can only guess the proliferation of thermal hunters has them educated at this point?
Not sure about anywhere else, but they’ve gotten very wary about coming in at night here. Much more so than just a few years ago. I can only guess the proliferation of thermal hunters has them educated at this point?
I’ve always wondered if it’s not so much that the coyotes are being educated but that the more aggressive coyotes have already been killed. Just like dogs some are naturally aggressive and some are naturally cautious I think coyotes are the same way.
My thoughts are the more aggressive coyotes are the ones that are going to charge a call so they are obviously going to be the first ones killed for the year.
VAspeedgoat
Well-known member
Schmaltz sells AGM thermals and I've bought 2. Its expensive but worth it vs night vision. I agree with HW, no lights ever.
I really like thermals for target detection and NV for shooting. I run a handheld thermal for finding animals and then NV for confirming the animal is what I think and taking the shot. If your in an area that has fox, bobcats, the neighbors dog potentially running around thermal may not be clear enough to differentiate them from a coyote. Other upside to Night vision is you can see IR lasers, you can't with thermal. I have a weapon mounted rangefinder and can see the laser through my night vision on my target to ensure I've got the correct range for long shots on 'yotes at night. The new FLIR IR Hunter has me considering another purchase and going to a thermal over night vision but I'm still not sure because of the reasons I stated above. Ultimate Nightvision offers rentals on some different systems so you could try them out and the rental price goes towards your purchase if you then decide to buy one.
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