Thread: Hand held thermal now legal on public land

Just received an email saying hand held thermal scopes will be legal to use on public land from tomorrow.


From June 1, hunters will be allowed to use hand-held thermal technology to search for animals during daylight hours.
Hunting permit change

Thermal technology attached to a firearm to search for or shoot a wild animal, and/or hunting at night, remains prohibited.

Hand-held thermal technology has improved, become widely available and is increasingly used by hunters to improve the chances of detecting an animal. It can be especially useful is assisting hunters to locate downed animals, especially in dense foliage.

If you already have a hunting permit, it will automatically update.

You must still positively identify the target beyond all doubt using normal vision or conventional optics, for example, binoculars

Please ensure you follow the 7 rules of firearms safety and identify your target beyond all doubt before pulling the trigger.

Rule 4 – Identify your target beyond all doubt states “never shoot at sound, shape, movement or colour only”, hunters should never shoot solely based on a heat source.

Heat sources can be difficult to determine accurately due to environmental conditions for example, hot weather affecting the reliability of results. Trees or rocks warmed by the sun might show up. This is known as thermal crossover.

There should also be consideration that there may be other people in the area such as hunters, trampers, campers, or contractors.

Once a heat source has been spotted, the hunter must use normal vision or conventional optics like binoculars, to identify what they are looking at. Can you see the whole animal? Is it a deer/pig/goat? Stag or Hind? Red/Sika/Fallow?

Visitor safety was carefully considered when making these changes, following discussions with the Land Safety Forum, which includes representatives from the NZ Police, hunting organisations like the Game Animal Council, and outdoor safety groups.

Illegal hunting

The offence of illegal hunting (on private or conservation land) carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $100,000 fine in New Zealand.

Common sense prevails against ideologues...

Very nice...

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Illegal hunting

The offence of illegal hunting (on private or conservation land) carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $100,000 fine in New Zealand.

I don't condone illegal hunting, but meanwhile, a drugged up addict kills someone and only gets 2 years for manslaughter (approx ) and no monetary punishment ????..... no checks and balances.

Yep. Good decision

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Hand held thermal monoculars,not scopes.Sorry Rumpy.All tho you could hold a thermal scope in yr hand and use as a monocular.Any how enjoy the thermals guys.

What is the NZDA position likely to be on this ?

I have no problem with this now being lawful. And agree in certain circumstances finding game with this tool is well justified.
I won't use one. My choice, personal. I enjoy too much the challenge of hunting and the sometimes uncertain aspect of whether game will, or will not, be found. Saying that, these days finding game is a bit easier than it was some years back.
No intention to cast aspersion here. Merely stating my view. I fully support anybodys decision to do any lawful activity they want to do.

A rare application of common sense.

Let’s face it, they have been used by many folks for a long while now.

Originally Posted by Boner

Let’s face it, they have been used by many folks for a long while now.

Yes, that's undeniable.

the animals close to tracks n huts and in front country have got warier in last few years...Ive always thought thermal usage is reason why...the ones back further and in bush are still there same as always.
having used handheld thermal on private land...it is indeed a game changer in game finding....

Originally Posted by 30.06king

What is the NZDA position likely to be on this ?

I have no problem with this now being lawful. And agree in certain circumstances finding game with this tool is well justified.
I won't use one. My choice, personal. I enjoy too much the challenge of hunting and the sometimes uncertain aspect of whether game will, or will not, be found. Saying that, these days finding game is a bit easier than it was some years back.
No intention to cast aspersion here. Merely stating my view. I fully support anybodys decision to do any lawful activity they want to do.

I have mixed feelings. Myself Like you, I refuse to use them. I understand why people do, and right now with high animal numbers I feel more animals need shooting, so maybe this tool has a use.
But I also think its a retrograde step for our culture and one that once accepted, will be hard to undue and that it is another step away from hunting and towards just shooting.
Having taken alot of people hunting, Ive seen this tool arrive and have ben worried at the number already who do not know how to proceed without such devices.
Kind of like the young duck shooters who have grown up with semi autos and feel affronted with magazine limits etc.

i have both handheld and thermal scope on another rifle and hunt during the day with a scope. Looks like DOC have common sense sneaking in. Personally, I don't think thermal scopes will ever be legal it's seen by some as the same as a spotlight. They definitely are a game changer, not as easy as some would have you believe, but saying that when I use the thermal sight on the farms, I have access to it is not hunting more like doing a home kill. I still prefer to hunt in the daytime and most enjoyable is bush stalking up close and personal. That just me, I'm happy with the situation of being allowed to carry a handheld only on DOC land

Funny how England with all its adherence to tradition and fair chase have grasped thermals with both hands. Every video on YouTube of deer stalking in England shows them using thermals.

I've seen deer who knows to lay down n not move,when hear a whirlybird.Mum must have taught them that trick as arguably they won't have faced waro. Watched red hind bolt for the scrub when fog suddenly lifted too. Animals learn. As said earlier,they are already adapting,they do same when have been spotlighted,won't stop or look at light,possums n rabbits learn that quick enough. I think the enforcement of rules has always been sticking point.this sort of makes it easier if caught with thermal attached to rifle your in the wrong..no questions...you now know.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

the animals close to tracks n huts and in front country have got warier in last few years...Ive always thought thermal usage is reason why...the ones back further and in bush are still there same as always.
having used handheld thermal on private land...it is indeed a game changer in game finding....

I'm ol school Micky as yi know ..these thermal gadgets sure as hell don't make anyone a better hunter.
Havin said that I have had a rather interesting night with a thermal scope of late...farrrrrrrrrrrk it's shooting not hunting, sorta takes the piss outa the sport if anything. Good grief I could only imagine having this gear back in those meat days etc wow lol.