Thread: Thermal scopes and binoculars

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

They are a poachers dream as they can check if it is worth sneaking over the farmland from afar...excellent for checking if anyone is hiding waiting for them before crossing property...a real pissoff if snapped by DoC or police as they confiscate and "destroy" them...I have a couple of mates that own them and use them, usually on private land but not always...no good saying it is wanted for possums or rabbits as who the hell spends that sort of serious coin unless they after deer.

Are you saying if Doc or police see someone using one, they will confiscate and destroy? I have never heard of this, can you elaborate? I am under the impression that it is legal to use thermal imagine/bino/scope.

I am not sure why people cannot just use it for rabbit and possums. Not everyone has access to deer. Plenty of people want to shoot at night and want the thermal advantage, and would be quite happy just be shooting pests.

5~10k to spend on a hobby is not crazy. Many petrolheads in their 20s spend a couple tens of thousands on their cars while working ordinary jobs.