Thread: Got too be philosophical!

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Yeah I can understand that. I will have a thermal coming as soon as Ken has the one I want back in stock. But I won't use it on public land or for my recreational hunting. For me, I like that the animal has at least its natural abilities as advantage, or at least as an evener over me, and that my achievement is using my brain and effort to work them out.

It's a long standing thing with me. I was quite happy to use a spotlight for pest control, But never for my personal, hunting.

Yes thats a considered view, horses for courses. Consistent with this, and as an example from me, thermals have helped deliver venny for 1,500 meals to the needy in the last 12 months. And remembering too that it's the deers' respected natural abilities of evasion and being nocturnal that escalates them very quickly from resource to pest. Then you gotta use tools and not principles.

The thing that has most amazed me from observing them at night is where they appear from and how active they are. During day, Ive been surprised by how many deer stay still in the bush when they detect us and don't move away, and we simply walk past them.

agree Thar how many with a deer problem are gob smacked when they do use night gear and actually see how big their problem really is - but whanahuia you are completely entitled to your beliefs - its only in the last two years we have started to use thermals - for me when I do get out I like every advantage - hunting is expensive when on super over winter so to come home with the goods is the aim

Originally Posted by Tahr

Yes thats a considered view, horses for courses. Consistent with this, and as an example from me, thermals have helped deliver venny for 1,500 meals to the needy in the last 12 months. And remembering too that it's the deers' respected natural abilities of evasion and being nocturnal that escalates them very quickly from resource to pest. Then you gotta use tools and not principles.

The thing that has most amazed me from observing them at night is where they appear from and how active they are. During day, Ive been surprised by how many deer stay still in the bush when they detect us and don't move away, and we simply walk past them.

If everyone used thermals and night vision with the diligence and purpose that you do, I would be rethinking my overall ideas on usage. It's a complex discussion. Right now Im hunting an area that's getting some form of night hunting on public land, and the activity is so blatant that they are spray painting markers and putting reflectors along a bloody bulldozed trail to find their way in. Last time we spent a night in there you could hear the gunshots along the road at 2 am. given the lack of respect for the DOC rules, Im not convinced the safe firearms practices are being followed either, and so I don't wish to set up a camp for a night close too the area. So part of my non use of thermal is about not impacting other sensible public land users.

And In a few weeks Im going to head a bit further afield too check out some of the high population areas. When I do, I won't be holding back on ammo usage. Because I think in those areas, it's not really about thermal use, but more about actually shooting the deer you see. Not holding out for a better one or only shooting what you can carry.

Yep, there's always more there than you ever see. Their ability to hide and detect you is fantastic.

good on ya whanahuia you are out there getting amongst them tractor season finish soon and my turn