Mastering Night Hunting: How Thermal Scopes Enhance Coyote and Hog Hunts

Thermal scopes offer an unparalleled advantage for night hunting, particularly when targeting elusive and nocturnal animals like coyotes and wild hogs. These creatures are most active under the cover of darkness, making them challenging to hunt with traditional optics. In this blog, we’ll explore a practical hunting scenario that demonstrates the utility of Armasight thermal scopes in improving your hunting success.

The Midnight Hunt: A Scenario

Preparation:

It’s midnight, and experienced hunter Jake is ready to embark on a hunt for coyotes and wild hogs, both of which have been causing trouble on a local farm. Knowing these animals are most active at night, Jake equips his rifle with an Armasight thermal scope. The ability to detect heat signatures in total darkness is crucial for this hunt.

Setting Up:

By 12:30 AM, Jake is positioned in a camouflaged blind overlooking a wide, open field where the animals are known to roam. With his thermal scope, he begins scanning the area, identifying the distinct heat signatures of various wildlife. The high thermal core resolution of 640×512 ensures he can clearly differentiate between smaller animals and his intended targets.

The Hunt Begins

Spotting the Targets:

Around 1:00 AM, Jake spots a group of wild hogs at the far end of the field, about 400 yards away. Using the scope's 12-micron pixel pitch, the image is sharp and clear, allowing him to distinguish between the adult hogs and their young. The scope’s thermal sensitivity (NETD) picks up the subtle temperature differences, giving him a clear view even at a distance.

Range Estimation:

Jake utilizes the scope's built-in rangefinder to get an accurate distance measurement. This feature is crucial for adjusting his aim and ensuring a precise shot. The range estimation capability of his Armasight thermal scope saves him time and enhances his accuracy, critical for hunting fast-moving animals like wild hogs.

Magnification:

Jake zooms in using the thermal scope’s magnification feature. Despite increasing the magnification, the resolution remains clear enough to see the hogs’ vital areas. This balance between magnification and resolution is vital in ensuring that his shot is both ethical and effective.

Making the Shot

Target Identification:

With the thermal scope’s ability to clearly outline the hogs’ heat signatures, Jake confidently identifies his target. He selects the largest hog and prepares for the shot. The customizable color palette options, which he has set to black-hot mode, help in highlighting the hogs against the cooler background, making them stand out even more.

Taking the Shot:

Jake steadies his rifle, takes a deep breath, and aligns his shot. The clarity provided by the OLED display on his Armasight thermal scope ensures that he has a precise view of his target. He gently squeezes the trigger, and the shot rings out. The hog drops instantly, a successful and humane kill.

Transitioning to Coyote Hunting

Spotting Coyotes:

After dealing with the hogs, Jake turns his attention to hunting coyotes. He knows they are often attracted to the sounds and scents of a downed hog. Using his thermal scope, he scans the surrounding area and soon spots a pair of coyotes lurking at the edge of the field.

Range Estimation and Targeting:

Using the scope's rangefinder, Jake estimates the coyotes are about 250 yards away. He adjusts his aim accordingly, utilizing the scope’s magnification to get a clear shot. The thermal sensitivity ensures he can track their movements even as they weave through the tall grass.

Taking the Shot:

With the coyotes clearly visible through the thermal scope, Jake lines up his shot. The crisp image quality and effective magnification allow him to place a precise shot on the lead coyote. Another clean, humane kill.

Post-Hunt Reflection

Recovery and Assessment:

As dawn approaches, Jake retrieves his downed hog and coyote. He reflects on how the Armasight thermal scope played a crucial role in the success of his hunt. The ability to spot and identify targets in low visibility conditions, the accurate range estimation, and the clear magnification all contributed to a successful and ethical hunt.

Conclusion:

Using an Armasight thermal scope significantly enhances night hunting capabilities by providing clear visuals in complete darkness, precise range estimation, and reliable target identification. For hunters like Jake, this technology is not just a tool but a game-changer in the field.

By incorporating thermal scopes into your hunting gear, you can elevate your experience, improve your success rates, and ensure ethical hunting practices. Explore Armasight’s range of thermal scopes to find the perfect fit for your hunting needs and experience the difference for yourself.

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