More Successful Deer & Turkey Hunts With Thermal Scopes For Predator Management

As dedicated hunters and land managers, we hold the key to thriving deer and turkey populations by ensuring the right food source is constantly available. We spend countless hours and thousands of dollars ensuring our deer meet and exceed all their nutritional needs throughout the year.

During hunting season, we exercise precision and care in selecting animals to harvest and those we allow to walk. This careful approach ensures that the best genes continue in the population while the less desirable ones are removed, a responsibility that we, as hunters and land managers, shoulder with pride.

During the offseason, we invest our time in planting and clearing land. However, the presence of predators, such as coyotes, often goes unnoticed. This is a missed opportunity, as one of the most crucial actions we can take for our game animal populations is predator removal. It's time we recognize the urgency and importance of this task.

Trapping is a viable method, but predators quickly learn to avoid and spot traps. Hunting them is the most effective way to remove predators from your property. However, predators are most active at night, when it’s nearly impossible to see.

Hence, we should use thermal scopes and scanners to spot predators when they’re most active.

3 Reasons Why You Should Use Thermal Scopes For Predator Management

I like to think I can see pretty well in the dark until I stub my toe on my dresser or bedpost at night when I’m painfully reminded of how little I can actually see.

While getting my Wildlife Management degree in college, we used night vision monoculars to count mammal populations at night. I was amazed at how many animals you could easily walk past without ever knowing they were nearby.

It was easy to see why using thermals was such an asset when predator hunting.

• Spot animals from further away
• Know exactly how many predators are nearby
• Locate the areas where they frequent the most

We’ve all gotten close to animals and not realized they were there until it was too late. It’s even easier to do at night. Using thermal scanners or scopes gives you X-ray vision for spotting animals through brush when it’s pitch black so you don’t spook them by accidentally walking up on them. You can also identify the animals with quality night vision, which means you won’t shoot at livestock or deer at night because you’re confident the animal in your sights is a predator.

It’s also nice to know how many predators you’re dealing with, as coyotes are pack animals, but they’re also often seen roaming alone. If you know there’s only one, and you don’t have to worry about spooking another, it’ll give you more confidence to take the shot with your 22-250 Rem.

Lastly, thermals will also help you while trapping by alerting you to where predators spend most of their time. Instead of guessing if it’s a good spot to set up a trap, you’ll know it’s a great location to trap.

3 Best Ways To Use Thermals For Predator Management

We’ve briefly discussed how to use thermal scopes and scanners when managing predators, but in this section, we will explore the subject in greater detail.

• Hunting hogs, coyotes, and raccoons in low-light conditions
• Scouting/Tracking predator movement
• Identifying animals

In most states, hunting predators at night using thermals is legal, but always check your local regulations as they vary from state to state. Mounting a thermal scope on your rifle or shotgun is typically the best way to hunt these animals, but using night vision goggles is another option.

Night vision goggles or monoculars are also perfect for scouting and tracking predator movement. They allow you to quickly discover where you need to set up to have the best shot possible without alerting the animals to your presence.

Lastly, sometimes at night, it’s tough to tell the difference between someone's dog and a coyote, or you might not see the cow behind the hogs you’re about to pull the trigger on unless you’re using thermals. The first time I used thermals, I was amazed at how easy it was to identify an animal quickly. This is critical to keeping the neighbors happy and keeping you from accidentally breaking the law.

Parting Shots

Predator management must be a significant part of your hunting property management plan. If not, you’re missing a huge piece to the puzzle, whether you’re managing for turkeys, deer, or both.

Using thermals for predator management allows you to be more efficient and effective, so you spend less time fixing the problems they create and more time bettering your property for game animals.

Good luck this season!