Am i daft??

Stephenbuck2489 · Mar 31, 2026

As a new Stalker, there is so much bloody kit to go at!!
with an unlimited bank balance it would be great.
But looking at the essentials, ive a Knife, Rifle (243 Tikka T3), decent scope, Mod, sling, sticks, Binoculars, and recent purchase. a range finder.

I am however holding back on a piece of kit that many on here would now seem essential, Main reason being, i want to learn as much as i can about deer and take the odd one as i go.

As you may have guessed im missing a Thermal. My above question (am i daft) is aimed at avoiding one for the time being as i do see that nearly every single video i watch, or person i speak to mentions they have and use one.
Verdicts welcome.

Jon P · Mar 31, 2026

Try to avoid for as long as possible, you will
Get more satisfaction from using binoculars and you will be slower moving though the woods, so will see and learn more.

I did get one in the end. I was the last of our group. You do start to depend on them to much. If I do forget it , you feel lost without it. But soon realise the fun of using glass again.

sillbeam · Mar 31, 2026

Deer stalkers managed fine for many years without thermal. Don't see them as an essential piece of kit, only an aid. You'll be fine.

G1J1B · Mar 31, 2026

You have all you need. Been doing for over 35 yrs- still no thermal. However, I will probably get one.
Get experience rather than watching videos.

VSS · Mar 31, 2026

Thermal is not the game changer that some would have you believe.
But it is bloody handy.
Particularly when you've shot a deer and can't find it.

Mungo · Mar 31, 2026

Stephenbuck2489 said:
As a new Stalker, there is so much bloody kit to go at!!
with an unlimited bank balance it would be great.
But looking at the essentials, ive a Knife, Rifle (243 Tikka T3), decent scope, Mod, sling, sticks, Binoculars, and recent purchase. a range finder.

I am however holding back on a piece of kit that many on here would now seem essential, Main reason being, i want to learn as much as i can about deer and take the odd one as i go.

As you may have guessed im missing a Thermal. My above question (am i daft) is aimed at avoiding one for the time being as i do see that nearly every single video i watch, or person i speak to mentions they have and use one.
Verdicts welcome.

Thermal is very handy to have, and speeds everything up.

But! It works best when you have underlying core skills.

I think it’s worth learning to stalk without first, then adding it in. You’ll have a much better awareness of where to look and what to expect.

Stephenbuck2489 · Mar 31, 2026

VSS said:
Thermal is not the game changer that some would have you believe.
But it is bloody handy.
Particularly when you've shot a deer and can't find it.

Now this , as ive seen many a time now is something that draws me in. with no dog to my aid, the recovery of a deer 10 minutes or so after shot ,once its darted 15 metres into thick brambles seems like thermal is a game changer when it comes to this instance!

Stephenbuck2489 · Mar 31, 2026

Mungo said:
Thermal is very handy to have, and speeds everything up.

But! It works best when you have underlying core skills.

I think it’s worth learning to stalk without first, then adding it in. You’ll have a much better awareness of where to look and what to expect.

Thanks! this is what i hope to gain!! upon purchasing a scope a few weeks ago, a guy asked how far id be shooting depended what scope i got. My response was i want to go deer "Stalking" not deer "Sniping" i feel the whole point of a proper stalk is to get yourself in close enough to make q nice comfortable killing shot!

Tim.243 · Mar 31, 2026

Stephenbuck2489 said:
As a new Stalker, there is so much bloody kit to go at!!
with an unlimited bank balance it would be great.
But looking at the essentials, ive a Knife, Rifle (243 Tikka T3), decent scope, Mod, sling, sticks, Binoculars, and recent purchase. a range finder.

I am however holding back on a piece of kit that many on here would now seem essential, Main reason being, i want to learn as much as i can about deer and take the odd one as i go.

As you may have guessed im missing a Thermal. My above question (am i daft) is aimed at avoiding one for the time being as i do see that nearly every single video i watch, or person i speak to mentions they have and use one.
Verdicts welcome.

Chiller, as the days walm up the "hang it in the garage gang" fall by the wayside... :doh:

Stephenbuck2489 · Mar 31, 2026

Tim.243 said:
Chiller, as the days walm up the "hang it in the garage gang" fall by the wayside...

luckily ive a mates chiller to use in return of some venison as ive no garage

GBR66 · Mar 31, 2026

VSS said:
Thermal is not the game changer that some would have you believe.
But it is bloody handy.
Particularly when you've shot a deer and can't find it.

Massive help to the colour blind like me! Also fantastic aid for stalking through forestry blocks later in the morning once the deer are lying up.

Tim.243 · Mar 31, 2026

Stephenbuck2489 said:
luckily ive a mates chiller to use in return of some venison as ive no garage

More money to buy shiny kit then lol

Stephenbuck2489 · Mar 31, 2026

GBR66 said:
Massive help to the colour blind like me! Also fantastic aid for stalking through forestry blocks later in the morning once the deer are lying up.

Never even considered colour blind, that must make it tough!!

TringSaint · Mar 31, 2026

Stephenbuck2489 said:
As a new Stalker, there is so much bloody kit to go at!!
with an unlimited bank balance it would be great.
But looking at the essentials, ive a Knife, Rifle (243 Tikka T3), decent scope, Mod, sling, sticks, Binoculars, and recent purchase. a range finder.

I am however holding back on a piece of kit that many on here would now seem essential, Main reason being, i want to learn as much as i can about deer and take the odd one as i go.

As you may have guessed im missing a Thermal. My above question (am i daft) is aimed at avoiding one for the time being as i do see that nearly every single video i watch, or person i speak to mentions they have and use one.
Verdicts welcome.

Been stalking 15 years an have no desire to get a thermal.

WW. · Mar 31, 2026

GBR66 said:
Massive help to the colour blind like me! Also fantastic aid for stalking through forestry blocks later in the morning once the deer are lying up.

Agreed, I'm red-green deficient and have had some occasions (with roe) where I just can't pick out with binos something I can see clearly on thermal. It's really interesting how certain backgrounds which you wouldn't think hide them can just blend.

rem284 · Mar 31, 2026

Using a thermal is a big advantage if you want/need to get deer. I would not like to be without one, it would be like going back to the dark age. The only disadvantage is ££££'s and needing to manage batteries.

Tim.243 · Mar 31, 2026

rem284 said:
Using a thermal is a big advantage if you want/need to get deer. I would not like to be without one, it would be like going back to the dark age. The only disadvantage is ££££'s and needing to manage batteries.

We replace the batteries in our xq38f's with new ones takes about 15mins a craft knife and soldering iron :tiphat:

£20.00 v Shop price

jall55 · Mar 31, 2026

To me thermal adds to the experience as you see so many other things you would not see - be that hares - mice - rats - birds
Much of mine my shooting is however done from high seats or boxes where having all the kit there is no issue - carrying it all however - different story

VSS · Mar 31, 2026

WW. said:
Agreed, I'm red-green deficient and have had some occasions (with roe) where I just can't pick out with binos something I can see clearly on thermal. It's really interesting how certain backgrounds which you wouldn't think hide them can just blend.

I think that's a common problem, whether you're colour blind or not!

25 Sharps · Mar 31, 2026

Stephenbuck2489 said:
As a new Stalker, there is so much bloody kit to go at!!
with an unlimited bank balance it would be great.
But looking at the essentials, ive a Knife, Rifle (243 Tikka T3), decent scope, Mod, sling, sticks, Binoculars, and recent purchase. a range finder.

I am however holding back on a piece of kit that many on here would now seem essential, Main reason being, i want to learn as much as i can about deer and take the odd one as i go.

As you may have guessed im missing a Thermal. My above question (am i daft) is aimed at avoiding one for the time being as i do see that nearly every single video i watch, or person i speak to mentions they have and use one.
Verdicts welcome.

Learn without one, they make you far more efficient but also lazy.

Am i daft??

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