Forkyfinder
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Who am i kidding - there will be a cow elk thermal shoulder season before that happens.
Illegal Thermal Use
- Thread starter Joe Hulburt
- Start date
At the very least, Montana should make it illegal to use them to locate game animals. You’d still have people using them illegally and just claiming that they were hunting coyotes, but it would be better than it being totally legal for everyone to use them as it is now. The longer their use is allowed, and the more money that people invest in them, the harder it’s going to be to restrict their use in the future.
There’s going to be some legislation this session to try and address them in Montana. Hopefully those bills pass.
Part of Montana’s issue is that they are considered “motion tracking devices”, which is also what drones and cell cameras fall under. Those technologies should all be treated differently. Until that happens, it might be difficult to address them the way they should be.
Forkyfinder
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Its not legal now...
Let’s do it. Get those pesky elk under control
Ask your local game warden if he could give someone a ticket for locating elk at night with thermals.
ismith
Well-known member
Yes, but before a drone cow elk shoulder season?
BrentD
Well-known member
Depends on the drone vs. thermal lobbyists. Which one has more money? That will be your winner.
ismith
Well-known member
Could always just go all in with a crossbow drone with thermal, that way you can take advantage of archery season and hunt yard deer as well!
I haven’t ran into a local game warden in years, be tough to find one to ask it seems.
ismith
Well-known member
When considering the best thermal sights for a hunting crossbow drone, several options stand out based on features like image quality, durability, range, and user-friendliness. Here's a breakdown of some top choices:
- **ATN ThOR 4 Series**:
- **Model**: ATN ThOR 4 2-8x25mm or ATN ThOR 4 2.5 – 25x
- **Features**: These scopes offer Smart HD Technology, providing high resolution and extensive zoom capabilities. They're ideal for crossbows due to their one-shot zeroing feature which saves time and ammunition. The scopes come with various reticle options and can record video, which is useful for reviewing hunts or sharing with others.[](https://baddogoptics.com/pages/13-best-thermal-scopes-for-crossbow)
- **Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50**:
- **Features**: Known for its long-range detection up to 2,000 yards, this scope has a 640×480 microbolometer resolution and an AMOLED display. It's built for durability with recoil-resistant components and includes a laser rangefinder. Its picture-in-picture feature is particularly useful for precise targeting, making it excellent for night hunting scenarios.[](https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-new-thermal-optics/)
- **Trijicon IR-Hunter 35mm**:
- **Features**: This is a premium choice with excellent image quality, offering a 640×480 resolution sensor. It's designed for rugged use, boasting military-grade durability. The scope features an enhanced target recognition system, avoiding washouts, and includes multiple reticle options for flexibility in different hunting conditions.[](https://www.outsidergear.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/thermal-scopes/best-thermal-crossbow-scopes/)
- **AGM Rattler TC35-384**:
- **Features**: A good balance of cost and performance, the AGM Rattler is a clip-on device, making it easy to attach to your crossbow. It's noted for its one-shot zeroing feature and rugged build, suitable for outdoor environments. This scope is particularly favored for its affordability while still delivering on thermal imaging quality.[](https://baddogoptics.com/pages/13-best-thermal-scopes-for-crossbow)
- **Sig Sauer Echo3**:
- **Features**: Although primarily a reflex sight, the Echo3's thermal capabilities are impressive for quick target acquisition, especially at close range. It's compact, which could be ideal for a drone-mounted setup, and includes features like video recording and anti-cant technology for precision.[](https://baddogoptics.com/pages/13-best-thermal-scopes-for-crossbow)
- **Bering Optics Super Yoter or Hogster Series**:
- **Features**: These scopes provide excellent core resolution, with models supporting various zoom levels and a quick-detach mount for ease of use. They are known for clear imaging with a 50Hz refresh rate, suitable for tracking moving targets effectively in low light or darkness.[](https://nightvisionguys.com/thermal-devices/thermal-sights-and-scopes)
**Considerations for a Drone Application**:
- **Size and Weight**: Given that you're looking for sights for a drone, the weight and size of the thermal sight are crucial. Lighter, more compact options like the Sig Sauer Echo3 might be more suitable, although you'll need to ensure your drone can support the weight and mounting of any sight.
- **Power and Connectivity**: Since drones have limited battery life, consider sights that are power-efficient. Also, check if the sight has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities for real-time streaming to a control device.
- **Durability**: Even though on a drone, the sight must withstand the vibrations from flying, so rugged construction is key.
- **Compatibility**: Ensure that the sight can be adapted or is designed for use in a drone setup. Not all sights are drone-compatible out of the box.
When choosing, you'd need to balance these features with your specific hunting needs, drone capabilities, and budget. Remember, local laws regarding drone use for hunting should also be considered.
Attachments
Have you ever used a thermal for hunting?
@devon deer used one legally in England while I hunted with him. It turned my Swaro optics into useless glass. I stood and watched Richard thermal the surrounding areas. I’d used my glass to try to pick the deer out of the thickets after he found them with the thermal.
In the West, using a thermal to glass a ridge a few minutes will tell you if animals are in the basin. Game changer. There’s no reason to sit on a glassing point for a morning if ten minutes of thermal show no animals.
Thermals will increase kill percentages.
BuzzH
Well-known member
And decrease available tags, season length, and opportunity.
But hey, at least when you draw that one tag every 17 years you can use all that garbage.
BrentD
Well-known member
I've been saying this shit since the invention of the pulley bows. No one cared or listened and here we are. It will not change at all. Imagine hunting seasons if we all used iron sights and stick bows. That said, we exterminated game from most of the central and eastern states with such tools and much less.
I probably have close to 200 coyotes killed with thermal. Ya I’ve used it some. Glassing that basin only works if there isn’t brush in the way. You aren’t seeing an elk standing behind a cedar tree with thermal
Elk move…
Them bastards
cgasner1
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I have a few thoughts/concerns on it. I realized Pandora’s box had been opened when walking thru scheels and the salesman was giving his best pitch to a guy about using it for hunting. Once these items went mainstream it will just get worse. So my questions
1 how would you enforce it if made illegal?
2 Do you actually think the people who have them would stop?
3 if enforced what would still stop people from doing it a 125 dollar fine? Without loss of rights this whole thing goes no where.
One of our mt conservation groups recently ran an article about it. The things that worries me about articles and threads such as this is it just shines more light on the subject when for as far as Montana is concerned the public opinion doesn’t seem to get us to far
1 how would you enforce it if made illegal?
2 Do you actually think the people who have them would stop?
3 if enforced what would still stop people from doing it a 125 dollar fine? Without loss of rights this whole thing goes no where.
One of our mt conservation groups recently ran an article about it. The things that worries me about articles and threads such as this is it just shines more light on the subject when for as far as Montana is concerned the public opinion doesn’t seem to get us to far
Nick87
Well-known member
This. Most people woukd pay alot more than that for a permit to use a thermal. If you think shame is gonna stop them....well.
millerkiller77
Well-known member
The higher end thermals are absolutely incredible. Anything you see in the daytime is the exact same thing you see in pitch black darkness out to and past 2000yards with some models. It's like looking through high def black and white binoculars. I have zero qualms about using them for predator and pest control where it's legal, but hunting game is beyond unethical.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Doing all we can to take the hunt out of hunting.
I'm guilty too, high end glass, turrets, range finder.
Question is where do we draw the line?
There has to be times and places the animals can't be pursued. It's about 24-7-365 right now.
I'm guilty too, high end glass, turrets, range finder.
Question is where do we draw the line?
There has to be times and places the animals can't be pursued. It's about 24-7-365 right now.
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