Shooting Deer with Thermal

[Sandy25]

Good Evening all,

Couple of quick questions for those out there who use thermal or night vision for stalking:

Do you find it makes a significant difference for increasing cull targets?

Have you found that animals have become more wary/nocturnal due to increased cull pressure?

Do certain species warrant the use of thermal/NV and last light shooting, i.e don't appear at other times of the day?

Have you had welfare concerns/any issues with using this tech at last light?

Those who use NV/Thermal what size populations of animals are you managing?


Looking for responses from people who have first hand experience using this kit, and what their thoughts on it are


Many thanks in advance,

Sandy

 

[Klenchblaize]

K

 

[VSS]

Are you talking specifically about thermal scopes or add-ons, or do your questions also relate to the use of hand-held spotters?

 

[Freeforester]

A lot of your queries will demand on the thoughtfulness of the Indian, not so
much his choice of arrow or bow. It’s possible to shoot deer and reduce significantly ( three figures) without unduly pressurising them, but so many variables like area size, disturbance ( from many & varying sources), how the neighbours do things, etc.

Go in like a bull in a china shop and expect the population remaining to take notice. Scent, when left where it ought not to be can disturb the remainder, leaving grallochs willy nilly and other aspects can make a rod for one’s own back.

Q’s 2&3 are or can be inter-related but by no means contiguous.

 

[paulbshooting]

I stalk mornings with glass scope and only evenings with thermal scope, mainly for fallow. Fortunate to have plenty of ground so vary where I stalk to minimize pressure. Thermal maximises the legal shooting window and often pick up a fox or two after the deer, which is appreciated as my main ground is a large game shoot. Yes more efficient culling, which gets me carcasses for my venison business plus keeps the land owners happy as fallow numbers are very high and damage to crops and woodland is problematic. The thermal scope is also a good backup should a shot go wrong. I always stalk with a dog but the ability to shoot again safely and quickly in low or no real light is welcome. I see thermal as a tool to use, but enjoy a morning roe stalk with only binos and zeiss glass scope as the ultimate stalk or reds on the open hill.

 

[Sandy25]

Are you talking specifically about thermal scopes or add-ons, or do your questions also relate to the use of hand-held spotters?

Thermal scopes and add ons, sorry should have clarified!

 

[bambislayer]

Having used night vision/ thermal scopes for years on foxes as well as thermal spotters.

At night

If trying to reduce numbers[ under license in Scotland] - use thermal for spotting & night vision for shooting . I prefer NV and a decent iv torch.
Don't shoot unless you know you can get the whole lot. Far too easy to educate deer to the light

Daytime

Normally carry thermal spotter but always binos. Only shoot with glass scope. I carry a nice compact LRF

The thought of flat batteries during the day gives me the fear

My tuppence worth. It's up to the individual and there is heaps of new tech out there.

I try and use 1 rifle and use magnetech on off mounts. So switch glass or NV

 

[EssexBigMac]

Watch this video 19mins in from an experiences estate stalker, 80% of his cull is in the last legal limit probably true to a lot of stalkers now with thermal or NV.

 

[slider]

I use NV, with a night authorisation, on a couple of bits that have high public use.

Its also handy at first and last legal light ut I still prefer my glass scope in daylight

 

[Mike1979]

NV/Thermal is an effective tool if you have deer coming out on last light and going in on first light where you gain 10-15 mins (dependent on your scope and eye sight). Used correctly as has been covered you should increase numbers, used to much in certain areas and the deer will change their behaviour. I have used both thermal and NV scopes for shooting deer within legal light but I much prefer glass. However, the land owners want numbers reduced and frankly don't care how I do it so its a numbers game.

 

[Dorsettaff]

NE apparently have just released a notification that people with a current licence to take deer at night WILL be able to use high end thermal sights legally. There are a few conditions but technology is such that they will allow use of thermal

 

[outdoor585]

I find on the ground I have the muntjac are the last to come out. So thermal is the choice for me as the farmers I deal with just don't want them on the ground so they have to go. I use glass on fallow and roe that's all I have on my grounds. Personally I think we should be able to shoot muntjac at night. I know some of you will not agree.

I have been using thermal for 6 years now at night/day for foxing ect and I always use thermal for spotting. So I can understand when you first get your hands on one you need to learn your identification again. I find that any of the new people I take out with me this is the hardest thing to get used to. This time of year roe does and bucks are hard to identify. So you still need good glass with you.

 

[wytonpjs]

NE apparently have just released a notification that people with a current licence to take deer at night WILL be able to use high end thermal sights legally. There are a few conditions but technology is such that they will allow use of thermal

Have you got a link please?

 

[308rws]

Have you got a link please?

I believe this has gone out to those renewing their Night Licences now.

 

[tomhunter]

Watch this video 19mins in from an experiences estate stalker, 80% of his cull is in the last legal limit probably true to a lot of stalkers now with thermal or NV.

great video I started neck shots a number of years ago because of reasons given , and pleased to have leant a few things to

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Good Evening all,

Couple of quick questions for those out there who use thermal or night vision for stalking:

Do you find it makes a significant difference for increasing cull targets?

Have you found that animals have become more wary/nocturnal due to increased cull pressure?

Do certain species warrant the use of thermal/NV and last light shooting, i.e don't appear at other times of the day?

Have you had welfare concerns/any issues with using this tech at last light?

Those who use NV/Thermal what size populations of animals are you managing?


Looking for responses from people who have first hand experience using this kit, and what their thoughts on it are


Many thanks in advance,

Sandy

That all depends on how desperate you are really!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Good Evening all,

Couple of quick questions for those out there who use thermal or night vision for stalking:

Do you find it makes a significant difference for increasing cull targets?

Have you found that animals have become more wary/nocturnal due to increased cull pressure?

Do certain species warrant the use of thermal/NV and last light shooting, i.e don't appear at other times of the day?

Have you had welfare concerns/any issues with using this tech at last light?

Those who use NV/Thermal what size populations of animals are you managing?


Looking for responses from people who have first hand experience using this kit, and what their thoughts on it are


Many thanks in advance,

Sandy

I’ve seen it, will not lower my standards / morals to use it!

I’ve seen too many messed up shots from last light shooting from the use of thermal/digital scopes over the last few years.

I’ve actually banned digital and thermal scopes for all my clients, to simply reduce the temptations of shooting too close to dark and rushing a balls up!

 

[One on top of two]

Thermal is superb at filling my freezer i only shoot for our table .