Thread: Thermal for daytime

Originally Posted by Jus

I have some mates in the North Island hunting sika and they spy them with a thermal during daylight hours, unsure if they are doing this mid day on a hot day, but can’t see them with binoculars even though it’s openish glassing terrain, they reckon the body heat signatures are clear enough to make out animals during the day. It’s a necessity thing though, if it’s a pressured area and the animals aren’t out feeding comfortably in daylight hours then a thermal will help you spot where they are at

We see deer in steep scrub country if the sun hasn't been on the face...and clearly identify deer that are 100% invisible to binoculars. I reckon they take some of the fun out of the hunting but we get deer we wouldn't have otherwise with the tiny clearing we hunt.

@The_bbb if you pop across to the 'Introductions' thread and introduce yourself people seem to be a little friendlier on here.

Most questions get met with people voicing there morals on the subject(sometime very strongly) and you will get helpful answers too. This has been asked before so have a look at this https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....hermals-72529/

I don't have a thermal but if I could justify the cost I would definitely buy one. I have looked through one during a sunny day and many things could be mistaken for an animal as the sun has heated them up, in some cases this is even a problem in the early evening. What I did notice using a thermal on a sunny day is I could see my mates dog as a bright heat signature moving through the bush.
On a early-ish morning hunt on a cloudy day where we had two groups looking at one dense bush face, one with a thermal one without. The thermal crew spotted 4 deer using the thermal and the other saw nothing. Rocks were seen using the thermal and discounted when confirmed using the binoculars. Based on that if you don't get out hunting often it seems like a really good tool to help spot animals.

And it can take a while to learn to 'read' (for want of a better word) the images and understand what you are looking at, especially if the image is cluttered with hot spots .
But they can be very useful during daylight and will definitely help spot animals you wouldn't see without one once you get your head around them.
And rocks don't move....

Thanks for the info... yep not sure if I can justify one either yet, but interesting to hear the replies. Cheers

Also if you're hunting public land be aware the highlighted clause. It applies during day too.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Also if you're hunting public land be aware the highlighted clause. It applies during day too.
Attachment 224152

I have it in writing via email from DOC that daylight use of handheld thermal is ok. Local NZDA also has confirmation from same. My local conservancy bosses have previously given me the go ahead.
Different conservancy’s may interpret differently but deerstalkers went to doc Lagan department regarding this scenario.

Feckin Iphone autospell, should read doc legal department.

Originally Posted by woods223

I have it in writing via email from DOC that daylight use of handheld thermal is ok. Local NZDA also has confirmation from same. My local conservancy bosses have previously given me the go ahead.
Different conservancy’s may interpret differently but deerstalkers went to doc Lagan department regarding this scenario.

That's interesting as the permit doesn't seem to be written that way and there have been a few threads here discussing how its not ok.

Previously used handheld and mounted thermal scope/AR15 combo for pest control on private property. A very effective tool. These days I currently use HIKMICRO handheld thermal in tandem with HM Alpex night vision scope/rifle, almost as effective just lacking rapid firepower of semi. Can’t be arsed with P endorsement crap. I periodically use handheld thermal during daytime. They are surprisingly effective in the bush which is my main hunting for goats on DOC estate. And before anyone nuts off, handheld daylight use is ok. Hot day in open/broken country not so much. You get to recognise heat signature of rocks etc with practice. Anyhow, using thermal/NV is a very useful tool. The ethics of using for recreational? hunting is up to the individual. For me it’s oftentimes a hunter hours/numbers game.

Originally Posted by woods223

Previously used handheld and mounted thermal scope/AR15 combo for pest control on private property. A very effective tool. These days I currently use HIKMICRO handheld thermal in tandem with HM Alpex night vision scope/rifle, almost as effective just lacking rapid firepower of semi. Can’t be arsed with P endorsement crap. I periodically use handheld thermal during daytime. They are surprisingly effective in the bush which is my main hunting for goats on DOC estate. And before anyone nuts off, handheld daylight use is ok. Hot day in open/broken country not so much. You get to recognise heat signature of rocks etc with practice. Anyhow, using thermal/NV is a very useful tool. The ethics of using for recreational? hunting is up to the individual. For me it’s oftentimes a hunter hours/numbers game.

Think saw that thermal being used in an Aussie pest eradication contractor vid hooked up to an Ipad in the Truck. Used in conjunction with a Lightforce Spottie. Great set up. Must get link off Instagram.

Originally Posted by woods223

Previously used handheld and mounted thermal scope/AR15 combo for pest control on private property. A very effective tool. These days I currently use HIKMICRO handheld thermal in tandem with HM Alpex night vision scope/rifle, almost as effective just lacking rapid firepower of semi. Can’t be arsed with P endorsement crap. I periodically use handheld thermal during daytime. They are surprisingly effective in the bush which is my main hunting for goats on DOC estate. And before anyone nuts off, handheld daylight use is ok. Hot day in open/broken country not so much. You get to recognise heat signature of rocks etc with practice. Anyhow, using thermal/NV is a very useful tool. The ethics of using for recreational? hunting is up to the individual. For me it’s oftentimes a hunter hours/numbers game.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrsDfXXPsGF/

In relation to the use of thermals on DOC land I saw this article from DOC in 2016 where they mention:

“The use of night vision equipment, infra-red and heat detecting devices are also prohibited on conservation land during the hours of darkness.”

https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...ng-after-dark/

If one takes the wording on the permit word for word then it seems thermals are outright banned but given that this statement is also grouped with other points about hunting at night and the use of spotlights etc, one could also make the interpretation that thermals are only banned at night. I think the latter is quite possibly what they intended. I personally cant see any logical reason against using a handheld thermal during legal hunting hours as long as you still have an binos/optical scope/open sights that would confirm target identity (i.e not also shooting with a thermal scope). Other evidence seems to support this interpretation such as the aforementioned article and the previous posts mentioning written statements from DOC etc.

Thanks for all the replies, some good info in there. Cheers

Think twice,buy once and enjoy.

I have found a termal handy if you hunting pine forests during the day if its not too hot. In a block where you might get a deer if your lucky without one, with a thermal you end up seeing 10-12 and getting a crack at a few if you want.

It does change the way you hunt, less waiting and can cover big areas quickly.