straightpull6547
Well-Known Member
Anyone got any links to info on the use of thermal rifle scopes for daytime shooting of deer in the uk?
Thermal scopes on deer
- Thread starter straightpull6547
- Start date
is it not illegal in England?? certainly the use of image intensifying 'devices' is north of the border -:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1985/1168/pdfs/uksi_19851168_en.pdf
"2. No person shall use in connection with the killing or taking of deer any
firearm, ammunition or sight except as is declared lawful by this order and
in the circumstances provided therefor."
"5.(b) It shall be lawful to use - a sight which is not a
light-intensifying, heat-sensitive or other special sighting device for
night shooting."
2. makes it clear that it is unlawful to use any sight not declared lawful
i.e. at 5.(b).
5.(b) makes it clear to us that killing deer by use of light-intensifying,
heat-sensitive or other special sighting devices for night shooting would be
unlawful.
Last edited:
Definitely illegal in Scotland - not sure about the rest of the UK.
There was a good article the BASC magazine last year covering this subject
You can view back issues here https://basc.org.uk/media-centre/shooting-and-conservation/
Cheers
Bruce
There was a good article the BASC magazine last year covering this subject
You can view back issues here https://basc.org.uk/media-centre/shooting-and-conservation/
Cheers
Bruce
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Not everyone shoots deer for sport.
One man's stalking is another man's deer management. Your choice to use technology, it's not compulsory.
Blaser243
Well-Known Member
They used to say the same thing about telescopic sights. Someone was probably saying the same thing about the increasing use of black powder and bemoaning the loss of work for the soon to be redundant fletcher.
Time moves on, technology develops, people have less time and the deer still need to be shot. If you have time for the niceties of stalking "traditionally" as you see it, good for you. Enjoy your sport. For the rest of us who have a job to do, we will just quietly get on with it thanks.
I use thermal during the day for spotting but am perfectly happy with using a conventional scope for the shot. Thermal is an amazing boon to my foxing though, hardly turn the light on any more - just a few seconds whilst I take a shot (I don't use a thermal scope yet, but am considering it).
Time moves on, technology develops, people have less time and the deer still need to be shot. If you have time for the niceties of stalking "traditionally" as you see it, good for you. Enjoy your sport. For the rest of us who have a job to do, we will just quietly get on with it thanks.
I use thermal during the day for spotting but am perfectly happy with using a conventional scope for the shot. Thermal is an amazing boon to my foxing though, hardly turn the light on any more - just a few seconds whilst I take a shot (I don't use a thermal scope yet, but am considering it).
I used a thermal for the first time on fallow, it just gives you the heads up as you are crunching through woodland. I saw the smallest of heat through a thicket which on investigation with the binos was a fallow, I was then able to plan my way into the deer which was successfully shot. I wasn't very warming to the thought of using this device as I thought as mentioned above about your skill against the quarry but when you have a cull to achieve any help is welcome and this is progress.
Ranger22
Well-Known Member
Quite happy to use a thermal spotter, it’s just the next generation of binos. Just because you can see them doesn’t mean your going to get a shot at them. You still need the ability to stalk the beast. That will never change. Would I use a thermal scope, perhaps not, due to the fact deer look to be out in the open but infact can be a couple of rows into the trees. Branches don’t show up very well when using thermal.
Freeforester
Well-Known Member
From what I hear, Scotgov and co are looking into trying to square this apparent circle, as too many folk are aware that both image intensifier night vision and thermal sighting devices are being deployed by controllers within the NFE.
straightpull6547
Well-Known Member
What massive problems?
straightpull6547
Well-Known Member
If you know its happening why haven’t you stopped it?
North Stalker
Well-Known Member
For woodland management or areas where the deer have to be culled, it should be made legal along with the OOS licence. You can go out with a torch and a AAA battery a k and shoot them at night, why then if you had a dedicated thermal set up which now a days is clearer than the majority of standard bulb and battery packs, could you not shoot deer under a 18(2)? At least the deer would be less inclined to be stressed by a lamp?
An Taín Hunting Outfitter
Well-Known Member
Hunting is a privilege to pursue another animal and have the sacred right to take its life to supply meat either for me or the person I guide. The stalk is knowledge, nature and luck. The kill is spiritual and forges memories and friendships which last a lifetime.
The rifle and scope technology provide a distinct advantage but lawfully controlled to maintain a level of fairness and a humane kill.
I pray over what I kill and always give the deer the last meal as a mark of respect. I look at every deer as a magical moment, it's the true spirit of the forest and glade, I also believe it deserves this entitlement.
A thermal imager has no place with a true hunter. Hunting is a game of two spirits, one against the other. It becomes tainted and we miss the true signs of nature that our quarry is close when we use thermal imagers.
The moment you finally spot your deer, words cannot describe this, your hearts pounds as though it is going to leap out of your chest, your focus zones in on your animal and you become the Hunter/Huntress you want to be. You assess terrain, wind, cover, and slope in a mere second and make the kill.
A thermal imager has no place on my wild hunts as an instrument to unfairly take the true spirit of the woods which is sacred, the deer.
The rifle and scope technology provide a distinct advantage but lawfully controlled to maintain a level of fairness and a humane kill.
I pray over what I kill and always give the deer the last meal as a mark of respect. I look at every deer as a magical moment, it's the true spirit of the forest and glade, I also believe it deserves this entitlement.
A thermal imager has no place with a true hunter. Hunting is a game of two spirits, one against the other. It becomes tainted and we miss the true signs of nature that our quarry is close when we use thermal imagers.
The moment you finally spot your deer, words cannot describe this, your hearts pounds as though it is going to leap out of your chest, your focus zones in on your animal and you become the Hunter/Huntress you want to be. You assess terrain, wind, cover, and slope in a mere second and make the kill.
A thermal imager has no place on my wild hunts as an instrument to unfairly take the true spirit of the woods which is sacred, the deer.
Last edited:
. With wild hunting ,yes I agree, Herne has the steer, but Thermal spotters have there place, Thermal riflescopes for deer? No!
baguio
Well-Known Member
When a cull has to be made with limited times and many other constraints the thermal imager is the way to go. culling deer is a job that needs to get done for some of us and not a sport. It also reduces the stress on the herd as the cull gets done with less visits. Thermal imagers are a game changer and are on my 'to buy' list for sure!
Similar threads
