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Sitting in the pitch dark, listening to the sound of a wailing rabbit, and waiting for a predator to come running is one of the most exciting ways to hunt. But it comes with one huge challenge: we can’t see in the dark.
Overcoming that challenge requires the right gear, so I spoke with two night-hunting experts for advice on what you need. Their advice will make you more successful and save you money.
How Much Do You Need to Spend on a Thermal?
John Barth owns Thermal Ranch, an outfit that specializes in hunting hogs with thermals. According to Barth, you don’t need to, and you shouldn’t, spend a lot to get into night hunting. He suggests starting with a scope with 384 resolution and avoiding scopes in the 256 resolution range. The price difference between the two is a few hundred dollars in most cases, but the difference in capability is significant. A 384 scope will allow you to identify animals inside 75 yards where a 256 scope will show you “hot blobs.” Barth says your first scope should cost $1,500 to $2,500.
One of the best budget thermal scopes is the AGM Rattler V2 25-320, which retails for around $1,200. It has 320 resolution and is a capable scope for hunting predators in thick cover and hogs over feeders. There is a 256 version of the same scope that retails for $1,050. The $150 price savings isn’t worth the frustration and ineffectiveness that comes with the lower resolution.
Gear You Need for Coyote Hunting
David Stroud is one of the top competition predator hunters in Texas. He says coyote hunting gear can be really simple and you need only a few basics to get started. Here’s his gear list:
Predator Call
Stroud uses a FoxPro, but he says mouth calls can be very effective, too. The main advantage of a remote caller is that it keeps the coyote’s attention away from your position.
Tripod
A tripod keeps your gun at the ready and keeps your hands free to scan with a thermal or red light. When it comes time to shoot, it’s a stable gun rest, too.
Read Next: Best Hunting Tripods
Red Light or a Thermal Viewer
When he’s hunting alone, Stroud doesn’t use a thermal optic for scanning the area. Instead, he uses a dim red flashlight. He can scan faster and more efficiently with a red light and transitioning from scanning to getting on the gun is easier, too, because the bright thermal display can temporarily blind you.
The key here is using a red light that’s just bright enough to see the reflection of a predator’s eyes. Brighter lights and the shadows they create will spook game.
Thermal Scope and a Good Rifle
Stroud uses a .22 Creedmoor from Horizon Firearms, but the key is an accurate rifle that’s capable of killing the game you’re hunting. Stroud hunts with a thermal scope on his rifle. He says the best thermal scopes are just barely good enough for his needs. The the scope you choose will depend on your budget and how far you want to shoot.
Final Thoughts: Things Happen Fast at Night
Hogs can show up minutes after you get to your blind and predators can arrive seconds after turning on the call. So, be ready when hunting at night. But, mistakes can can happen just as quickly as success. Stroud and Barth both stress being totally sure of your target before pulling the trigger.
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