Thread: Thermal Optics under scrutiny?

We would have wallaby coming in the windows without them.

Cat is out of the bag already... can't put the genie back in the bottle etc etc.

I don't use a thermal scope but I do use a spotter.

Handy tool if you know how to use them. The fact the Chinese are making them to a decent standard means you will always be able to acquire them.

So I take it from the comments so far, it's OK to use a thermal to get your animal/trophy?
But from other discussions, not a helicopter?
Where's the line?

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

So I take it from the comments so far, it's OK to use a thermal to get your animal/trophy?
But from other discussions, not a helicopter?
Where's the line?

I don’t think there is a line. Ethical hunting belongs to the individual, not to the hunting community. But we should all obey the law.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I don’t think there is a line. Ethical hunting belongs to the individual, not to the hunting community. But we should all obey the law.

I agree.
But I actually hate the word ethical. Often people use the word ethical to reassure themselves about something they have done which may be controversial.

I use thermal about 60% of my hunting time as there's so many deer around in morning and evening light before dark.About trophy's,I'd never put a thermal shot deer on the wall and claim it as trophy.I do have a little bit of ethical hunting in mind.

Originally Posted by Trout

I use thermal about 60% of my hunting time as there's so many deer around in morning and evening light before dark.About trophy's,I'd never put a thermal shot deer on the wall and claim it as trophy.I do have a little bit of ethical hunting in mind.

Always been the same with spotlight shot deer...it's not really a trophy....sort of deal. The hard won small set of antlers means so much more than the one that you "cheated" to acquire. It's almost like paying for a deer to shoot...and I've said before that's not hell of a lot different to paying for the oldest profession of them all. You no pay you no get bang!!!

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Always been the same with spotlight shot deer...it's not really a trophy....sort of deal. The hard won small set of antlers means so much more than the one that you "cheated" to acquire. It's almost like paying for a deer to shoot...and I've said before that's not hell of a lot different to paying for the oldest profession of them all. You no pay you no get bang!!!

I agree, I'm not a fan of trophys (don't get much anyway but I have mounted a lovely set of cast antlers from a friends farm. They're more of a reminder of the time I spent with him as opposed to the actual animal. I eventually did shoot that stag to mix up the bloodlines a bit but didn't keep that rack as it was still soft.

Was out last night and this morning did a quick hunt in bush block on way home. Got a few goats and saw some more on ridge about 800 m away. Too far for 223 and couldn’t be arsed spending maybe an hour to get closer but if I’d had 300 Win. with me would have been game on. When it’s a numbers game I’ll use whatever gear I can to improve the odds but if out for a recreational shoot it’s just me, rifle, rangefinder maybe and the animals. As @Shearer said, I’m hunting regularly so I can comfortably take this stance. Others less fortunate may wish to take advantage off using whatever gear gets them an animal, fair enough if it’s legal. Handheld thermal is just another tool. It’s up to the individual to decide upon their ‘hunting ethics’.

Isn't ethics a wonderful thing , it is whatever we decide it is ? So what is the diference ? between using a thermal monocular and using a dog .

Originally Posted by Tankd

Isn't ethics a wonderful thing , it is whatever we decide it is ? So what is the diference ? between using a thermal monocular and using a dog .

Feed a dog mutton flaps the night before heading away....and suddenly having a thermal monocular inside wagon with you instead is more attractive. But the thermal won't come for a cuddle if you arse up in creek or slip in the mud.it won't be happy to see you come home from work,nor will it gives you many years of love n devotion.

Every man and his dog seem to have them around this area pushed by local H&F and i haven't worked out how some are paying for them,
I think its another tool in the box. And no i have never used one
I remember when tracking collars come out, you weren't a real pig hunter if you used collars, there wouldn't be many pig dogs that don't have a collar now.
Same with you quads/sxs oh that guys lazy using a quad why cant he just walk. its just another tool in the box.
How things have changed in the last 25years gps,range finders,all your new light weight gear

Originally Posted by bigbear

Every man and his dog seem to have them around this area pushed by local H&F and i haven't worked out how some are paying for them,
I think its another tool in the box. And no i have never used one
I remember when tracking collars come out, you weren't a real pig hunter if you used collars, there wouldn't be many pig dogs that don't have a collar now.
Same with you quads/sxs oh that guys lazy using a quad why cant he just walk. its just another tool in the box.
How things have changed in the last 25years gps,range finders,all your new light weight gear

I'd imagine the green economy pays for a lot of toys like that.

I am inclined to go that it is a tool in the box for when needed. I have had the opportunity to have a look through the thermal gear but never purchased one. However- everyone here seems to be using it for finding game- where I found it more useful in locating game that had just been shot- tracking a wounded animal or a dead one that has run for a bit before dropping.

One downside I saw was when a guy was using one to spotlight rabbits. Man we saw some rabbits through it, but when you rescanned a paddock, the dead ones were still warm so we had issues trying to work out which ones already had holes and which ones still needed one......

Originally Posted by timattalon

I am inclined to go that it is a tool in the box for when needed. I have had the opportunity to have a look through the thermal gear but never purchased one. However- everyone here seems to be using it for finding game- where I found it more useful in locating game that had just been shot- tracking a wounded animal or a dead one that has run for a bit before dropping.

One downside I saw was when a guy was using one to spotlight rabbits. Man we saw some rabbits through it, but when you rescanned a paddock, the dead ones were still warm so we had issues trying to work out which ones already had holes and which ones still needed one......

Easy: use a 22.250 on the wabbits. Very easy to tell which ones have become a 'hole'