With temps in the 100s daily here in Texas, hunting at night is very productive, and the coyotes are playing hell with the deer and turkey, so I can justify the following equipment:

A US Nightvision Model 443 mounted on a Tikka .243. It is a 4 power Gen 3 scope. The caller is remote controlled and we generally set it up about 75-100 yds upwind. If in open country, a Mag light with the IR filter over the lense. You can see their eyes coming in from way out there.

Anyoue else using a similiar or other setup?

I wish !!!

I am closer to a candle mounted on a sling shot ,and a set of vice grips on a rabbits b@lls.

Johnch

Used something similiar as a kid. With young eyes, it was probably more fun too.

Not legal in CA - wish it was as I have the some of the right equipment. Don't believe we can use the night vision even if it is not attached to the gun.

Not even a monocular?

Keith

The CA F&G code reads as follows "It is unlawful to use or possess at any time any infrared or similar light used in connection with an electronic viewing device sometimes designated as a sniperscope to assist in the taking of birds, mammals, amphibia, or fish."

It appears to me that it is considered evidence of it's use for hunting by simply possessing it while hunting. Not a lawyer though and have not asked F&G about it either.

I haven't read the CA F&G code, but what you quoted doesn't outlaw the scope-- it outlaws the IR light!!!

I believe you are right.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KWTX:
With temps in the 100s daily here in Texas, hunting at night is very productive, and the coyotes are playing hell with the deer and turkey, so I can justify the following equipment:
Anyoue else using a similiar or other setup?[/QUOTE

Any bobcats coming to that?

Sounds like you could use passive equipment such as thermal imagers or even a starlight scope which magnified the available light.

$7 - 8K will buy an entry level thermal and $25K will get you the good stuff for rifle mount. I tested some in 2000 at Ft Belvoir, VA during the day in the summer and you could find deer easily and dogs and cats if they were out in the open as far as you could see them. The stuff out there now will ID mice or an exposed forehead within 2-300 yds with a 5 degree temp differential...good stuff, but expensive!!

You guys could be right and passive equipment may be legal but not an argument I want to have in the field. Will have to ask the F&G next time I run into one of their guys.

Baboon,

Coyote, bobcat, coon, ringtail, skunks, even an occasional hog will come in, sometimes depending on the call used. I find the bird in distress to be the most effective for everything.. Young dogs in distress is very good for coyote. Wounded rabbit is good for everything.

What do ya'll use?

Keith

I do most of my shooting at night for foxes. They are a big problem and any means necessary practically goes.
I have friends with night vision but I haven't seen it in action.
I have to content myself with powerful spotlights and red filter lens which are good until foxes learn to run as soon as they detect that as well.
Mostly we watch the wind and drive or walk into it. We cover a lot of ground only using the light to occasionally locate the fox then switch it off and try to close the gap to within 300m. Most shot foxes are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before they get a chance to move they are shot. Early in the season the young foxes can be lured in to even run under the vehicle using predator calls.
Anyway thats what i use.
cheers
robe

quote:

You guys could be right and passive equipment may be legal but not an argument I want to have in the field. Will have to ask the F&G next time I run into one of their guys.

You don't have to wait to run into one of the local guys, Call them, the people in Sac. are well informed and if they don't have an answer for you they will have someone that does call you back.