Thermal binos for hunting, what’s your opinion…

[nakneker]

I hunted this year more than I have in a couple decades. I may actually get to do that from here on out. I made a couple observations getting back in the game a bit. One observation is this use of thermal binos (by guides mostly). They are taking some big animals using thermal binos and it’s not just a couple outfits, many are using them. This has been going on for the last 2-3 years, I’m just leaning about it.

They will get out hours before dawn and hit areas they know hold animals they are targeting. Pretty simple. Go in before light, scan your thermal across the canyon, up the mountain, out in the flat and then move on if they don’t see what they are after. They can cover large tracts of land in minutes as the heat signature sticks out like a sore thumb. Once they find what they are looking for they set up, wait until legal shooting light and take the animal. These accounted for several big bulls and bucks that I know of this year.

I’m not out to offend anyone or pass judgement, I would like to hear your opinion on the subject if you have one. Do you think this is fair chase? Do you think that’s an unfair advantage? These guides are operating big business anymore, they have no problems assembling a team of 20-30 guys with radios, thermals and setting up in areas where they know a big horned animal is. This is happening a lot. This is not pig or varmint hunting I’m talking about, these are being used on big game hunts.

I have my opinion, what’s yours? I‘m not trying to start a fight, I honestly what to hear what ya think.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I think it’s not Hunting. I don’t know if it’s unethical or not but it’s not fair chase as of what we grew up with in terms of hunting big game.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I cannot quit thinking about it. Seems like it’s toeing in on poaching to me. I would have no problem with these thermal’s being banned during big game seasons on public land.

 

[aer21]

What state are you referring to that they are doing this in?

 

[Rick300]

They should be outlawed

 

[DRK]

Thermals should be limited to varmint hunting only. IMHO.

 

[msalm]

I always think of using thermals for hunting more of a ‘varmint’ type hunt, mainly coyotes…. Using a thermal scanner for hunting big game strikes me as on the line of unethical. If legal I wouldn’t complain about it I guess but it would not be my method of hunting.

 

[nakneker]

What state are you referring to that they are doing this in?

Arizona

 

[Knotwild]

I am in the it should not be allowed camp. I've seen the "new money" hunters around here bragging about their trophies taken that way and it makes me want to hurl. Plus, they are using binoculars with ranging capabilities, connected to the scope that lights the dot you are to use, and to an anemometer.

There's probably 5 of these at least in my county alone.

Swarovski

To do it is to support it.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I think it depends on the type of hunt.

If a trophy hunt with meat as being secondary, then it's not a fair hunt.

If your just out for meat alone, then why not make it easier.

 

[lb-ft]

It’s turning into a he who is willing to spend the most, gets the big buck game. It’s unfortunate.

Nothing wrong with being rich. I wouldn’t mind joining that club.

I think it just ruins the nostalgia of putting in the hard work and earning the trophy. Anymore you can just buy your way to a trophy.

Same goes for fishing with the side scanning sonar they use these days.

 

[Rick300]

I am in the it should not be allowed camp. I've seen the "new money" hunters around here bragging about their trophies taken that way and it makes me want to hurl. Plus, they are using binoculars with ranging capabilities, connected to the scope that lights the dot you are to use, and to an anemometer.

There's probably 5 of these at least in my county alone.

Swarovski

To do it is to support it.

Holy crap! I haven't seen those before. For big game hunting I think that falls under the category of "just because you can doesn't mean you should". Be pretty cool for varmints though.

 

[B Nettesheim]

My knees would say thermal binoculars are legal

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Not legal in Mn for ANYTHING but coyote and fox.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I am in the it should not be allowed camp. I've seen the "new money" hunters around here bragging about their trophies taken that way and it makes me want to hurl. Plus, they are using binoculars with ranging capabilities, connected to the scope that lights the dot you are to use, and to an anemometer.

There's probably 5 of these at least in my county alone.

Swarovski

To do it is to support it.

If only it was as simple as just pressing a button and shooting

 

[mic2377]

Well it depends if the hunter/guides in question even care at all about being sporting. There is too much $$$ at play so even if this tech was made illegal, people will likely still use it. Everything about hunting is being rapidly turned into a commodity.

I have some thermal stuff for hog/varmint hunting. It would be extremely effective if used in the scenario you describe above. There is literally no hope for the animal in question. Think tracking down soldiers in Ukraine with a thermal drone.

 

[jmill21]

Very unethical, should be for varmints only.

 

[nakneker]

Thanks for the comments and input, thanks again for being civil. I’m hoping this thread doesn’t turn into dumpster fire, it’ll get shut down. I’m off to work but I’ll share my own opinion and a story from my brother‘s elk hunt this evening.

 

[Lefty2506]

I don't personally like it. As others have said, it's becoming a game of who can spend the most money, not who has put in the work. I get the idea of trying to find out whether the area even holds an animal worth harvesting, but that's still a major short cut that I'm not okay with. So long as there's big money in it, there will be a lot of motivation to cut as many corners as legally possible. Its just good business. That's why I think the state should limit what a guide or outfitter can charge for a successful hunt. States are treating their natural resources as a profit center, and that's just plain wrong. Their job is to ensure protect individual rights, and PROTECT the natural resources.

 

[Jr solocam]

Smokeless powder, early telescopic sights, advancements in cartridge design, bullet designs, firearm design, etc etc. Shooters/Hunters have always been looking for an edge. Now it's ED glass, ballistic solvers, LRF's, NV, thermals and drones. DNA shenanigans are already here, sheep and I'm sure Whitetails as well.

Can you do it versus should you do it...human history says if we can we will. Genetics, nanotechnology and AI is happening, no stopping it.

With pressure on the acres available to hunt, private land is posted, public land is either over hunted or inaccessible, people are spending on outfitters, nothing wrong with that, it's another option.. 10 day hunts are now 5, 5 day hunts are now 3 days, hunters feel pressure to stack the deck. As far as morality goes, do what allows you to sleep at night. Everyone is different. Of course within the confines of regulations.

I have a thermal on a 223 I use when calling coyotes....yes it works and it is fun. I just got a drone, it's been too cold to fly much, but that is going to be a hoot.