Thread: I've Experienced the Advantage of Hunting with Thermal and Night Vision

The reflective tape I ordered hasn't arrived yet, but the glow in the dark powder and ready-mixed paint arrived this morning. I bought it directly from glowinthedark Dot co Dot NZ instead of through their TradeMe listing. I am mightily impressed with the paint. I don't know how long it will adhere to the plastic magazines and metal torches. I haven't tried the nailpolish and powder mix yet, but I think it should stick well. The ready-mixed paint has a relatively short shelf life, but the powder should be usable for a long time. The clear nail polish only cost $2.50 from the variety store.

I don't want to put too much glowing paint on to my hunting gear as it may catch the attention of the things I'm trying to stalk. I was surprised with how brightly it glows. The reflective tape will be more appropriate for some of my gear.

Below are two photos of the same objects. That is a Ruger .22 magazine at the left, and the wooden object is a home-made friction folding knife.





Thanks, guys, for your suggestions regarding the tape and the glow powder.

Originally Posted by Coote

The reflective tape I ordered hasn't arrived yet, but the glow in the dark powder and ready-mixed paint arrived this morning. I bought it directly from glowinthedark Dot co Dot NZ instead of through their TradeMe listing. I am mightily impressed with the paint. I don't know how long it will adhere to the plastic magazines and metal torches. I haven't tried the nailpolish and powder mix yet, but I think it should stick well. The ready-mixed paint has a relatively short shelf life, but the powder should be usable for a long time. The clear nail polish only cost $2.50 from the variety store.

I don't want to put too much glowing paint on to my hunting gear as it may catch the attention of the things I'm trying to stalk. I was surprised with how brightly it glows. The reflective tape will be more appropriate for some of my gear.

Below are two photos of the same objects. That is a Ruger .22 magazine at the left, and the wooden object is a home-made friction folding knife.





Thanks, guys, for your suggestions regarding the tape and the glow powder.

Hey @Coote you seem to have a face trying to escape out of your 10/22 mag! This is the first evidence I've seen of haunted firearm parts.




More seriously, how is the glow paint holding up? Any suggestions for someone wanting to do this for the first time?

Ben wrote:
"More seriously, how is the glow paint holding up? Any suggestions for someone wanting to do this for the first time?"

Ha. Hadn't seen that spooky face on my magazine until you pointed it out.

So how is the paint holding up?... To be honest I don't notice it much on anything except my car keys. I applied a lot of paint to a large knot on the cord I carry them on. I can still see the glow on some of my other stuff once my eyes are accustomed to the dark, but with using a light and the thermal viewer my 'night eyes' often don't get long enough to adapt. I understand that it takes quite a while for your eyes to go to optimum 'night vision' mode.

I dabbed a bit of the paint on a couple of light switch surrounds in the house, and I can see that at night still after several months.

I blobbed a bit of it onto my synthetic cell phone cover, but that has become fairly contaminated always riding around in my pocket and I don't notice that glowing now.

For someone wanting to use this paint for the first time I'd suggest that you try it. A small quantity isn't that expensive, but the liquid does have a relatively short shelf life according to the supplier. I have some glow powder which I am yet to try. I was going to make a paint using clear nail polish, but I've had no need to do so. I bought my paint and powder from: https://www.glowinthedark.co.nz/stor..._Products.html

Naturally the surface to be painted should be clean. It is good if the paint can be applied in an area that will be protected from being rubbed and knocked. And if possible it should be applied in more than one place so that the object can be spotted from more than one angle.

The reflective tape I've applied to some of my gear is still very effective. This is stuff that is sold for fitting to the tips of fishing rods so you can see them moving in the dark.

While the 'hi-tech' paint and tape are good things, I have found that white or brightly coloured electrician's tape is a big help when looking for rifle magazines etc. A torch is a necessary part of my kit, and white tape is easy to spot on the bush floor or among the long grass.

Since applying the tape and the glow paint, I haven't needed it. But it was sensible to apply it.

I was cutting a track on a scrubby hillside a few weeks ago. After a while in the bush I realised my breast pocket had become unbuttoned and my phone was no longer with me. I eventually found the phone, but since then I've tied some fluorescent ribbon to the cover as insurance. The ribbon does rip apart with the movement in my pocket... when it needs renewing I think I will substitute some bright electrician's tape. The brown 'wallet' cover is hard to see in the scrub, but any bright tape will make a heck of a difference.

I also have come to appreciate knives with brightly coloured handles:

Originally Posted by Trout

338 magnum,that impresses me.But if a puma is charging you,you want to stop it dead.No second chance there.

In the years that I have been hunting, I have been able to hunt a single cougar, searching for it and getting close enough to give it a quick death. I've seen many more, but when I tried to get closer they got further away and I couldn't chase after him. And I have killed another, I say mate and I do not hunt, because I was waiting one night to hunt wild boar and the cougar appeared in the pond. And at the request of the owner of the field, who had told me that if he saw him he would kill him, he had to. Otherwise I would not have shot him, I have a habit of not killing an animal that I am not hunting.
I know they are dangerous, when they are cornered, otherwise they flee. I think that human beings are more dangerous

just DONT paint your big toe nails........LOL...... funny as heck walking to the john in middle of night with toe nails glowing down on floor...my kids thought it was hilarious painting them...didnt realise how long it was going to last.....and yes it works well on shotgun bead too.

I thought your earlier mention of the toenail painting was a mere joke. Now it seems a bit scary.

I got some of the paint on my hand. And even after I thought I'd washed it off, I could still see a faint glow. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't prepare a nice surprise for bed time.

I put some of the glow paint on the foresight of my old companion... an Anschutz bolt-action .22. This has a foresight that protrudes above the moderator and it is probably the rifle I've used the most in my life.... right from when it was new in the early 1970s. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Originally Posted by Coote

I thought your earlier mention of the toenail painting was a mere joke. Now it seems a bit scary.

I got some of the paint on my hand. And even after I thought I'd washed it off, I could still see a faint glow. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't prepare a nice surprise for bed time.

I put some of the glow paint on the foresight of my old companion... an Anschutz bolt-action .22. This has a foresight that protrudes above the moderator and it is probably the rifle I've used the most in my life.... right from when it was new in the early 1970s. I'm looking forward to trying it.

This is the paint that I use. This type of painting is wonderful. And it saves me from buying a viewer again ... which I honestly don't like.
I don't usually make jokes to people I barely know, it's out of respect.

The reflective tape arrived and it seems to be excellent. It cost a lot to ship it here, but I am glad I have it.

I've stuck it to flashlights, headlamps, rifle magazines, binoculars and my car key. I applied a lot of glow paint to the cord tied to my car key and it glows really well, but I also stuck tiny pieces of tape to the sides of the key and to the key tag. I carry the key on a sturdy cord around my neck when I'm out walking. Currently it looks like it would cost about the same to replace the high-tech key as it would to buy a second-hand rifle.

Below are some images which I hope shows that the tape works well. It shines in a dim light, but it wasn't easy to photograph.

looks great,now lets hope you never have to find out how well it works in long grass across paddock after getting to gate and realising you have dropped "something"

This is a wild cat,

Just brought me one of these. Pulsar Axion LRF XQ38, Pulsar Axion LRF XQ38 ill let you guys know how I get on and will also compare it to my mates Infiray Thermal Range Finder and Spotter FL25R.

if you can find the 42grn stuff,grab some to try...I really rate its preformance,even above the std 40grn...dont know if its just the added 2grns or what ,but it worked really well in the JW I owned and kills hares very well.

I know the stuff you are talking about Micky. Maybe it would be a good option thanks. There doesn't seem to be a huge selection of ammo to choose from around here at present. I've done a lot of hunting with Winchester hollow subsonics.... mostly the Australian made stuff, and a lot of it was branded 'Kilwell'. It has worked well on small game and a few goats and pigs. I switched to CCI subsonics when I found they grouped a little better from my father's old Brno #1. I should have bought more ammo a few years back when I thought it was shockingly expensive at maybe $70 a brick.

I look forward to hearing what you think of your new Axion @Sideshow. I'm not familiar with them.

I am like you @JLF because I prefer to shoot at closer range. Getting close to a Puma might be difficult, but doing so to ensure a good shot is better than getting close to a Puma that was only wounded by a long shot. I was surprised to learn that their roasted ribs are a delicacy. But I'm not surprised that you roast them. I've never been to South America, but I would regard Argentina as a top contender for the title of the meat eating and barbecue capital of the world from what I've seen.

Heh... not making jokes to people you barely know is probably the most respectful choice. I can't help myself though. I think I was born to serve the God of Humour. I once had a temporary job working at the customer service counter of our local City Council. On the day I left the job, I got a farewell card in which it was written 'I've never known somebody to crack a joke at a more inappropriate time'. That is as precious to me as a university degree certificate. The timing of a joke can be critical.

Originally Posted by Coote

I know the stuff you are talking about Micky. Maybe it would be a good option thanks. There doesn't seem to be a huge selection of ammo to choose from around here at present. I've done a lot of hunting with Winchester hollow subsonics.... mostly the Australian made stuff, and a lot of it was branded 'Kilwell'. It has worked well on small game and a few goats and pigs. I switched to CCI subsonics when I found they grouped a little better from my father's old Brno #1. I should have bought more ammo a few years back when I thought it was shockingly expensive at maybe $70 a brick.

I look forward to hearing what you think of your new Axion @Sideshow. I'm not familiar with them.

I am like you @JLF because I prefer to shoot at closer range. Getting close to a Puma might be difficult, but doing so to ensure a good shot is better than getting close to a Puma that was only wounded by a long shot. I was surprised to learn that their roasted ribs are a delicacy. But I'm not surprised that you roast them. I've never been to South America, but I would regard Argentina as a top contender for the title of the meat eating and barbecue capital of the world from what I've seen.

Heh... not making jokes to people you barely know is probably the most respectful choice. I can't help myself though. I think I was born to serve the God of Humour. I once had a temporary job working at the customer service counter of our local City Council. On the day I left the job, I got a farewell card in which it was written 'I've never known somebody to crack a joke at a more inappropriate time'. That is as precious to me as a university degree certificate. The timing of a joke can be critical.

I hope you can visit my country sometime ...

Originally Posted by Coote

... I would regard Argentina as a top contender for the title of the meat eating and barbecue capital of the world from what I've seen.
...

True from my experience. We got treated to an asado at a ranch and while the quality was excellent, the volume was over the top. Staggered out of there afterwards. You can easily understand why the Puma forwards are as solid as they are.