Does anyone use a thermal while scanning before switching to traditional optics?

[Bubblehide]

Question: how is it legal hunting if it is outside legal hunting hours?

You should read the thread before commenting. He has clearly stated he wants to use it only during legal hunting hours.

 

[pk_]

So they had to clarify that you cannot use thermal to kill animals outside legal times? As opposed to killing outside legal times, without thermal vision?

And That seems to be an obvious way to communicate the law to many on this board?



The comments are nearly as comical as the wording of the law.

 

[KazzyfromOregon]

I am looking at doing a hunt Colorado where glassing is commonly used, especially compared to my normal hunting in East Texas. When hunting whitetail in East Texas we will use thermals to scan treelines in large fields often seeing where the deer are behind treeline prior to coming into a field.

Does anyone use a thermal in western type hunts to locate prior to switching to glass in order to judge if it is something to actively hunt? I know that it can be difficult to just find an animal in wide open areas with glass, thermal would at least point you in the correct direction to look with glass.

To answer your question, no I have not ever used thermal on a western type hunt but for hogs or finding down game and such it’s always interested me. I’m curious what model(s) you’ve had success with? Thanks.


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[VinoVino]

You should read the thread before commenting. He has clearly stated he wants to use it only during legal hunting hours.

I’ve read it. I know. He’s reading it wrong. That’s the point I’m trying to make. The “or while taking game outside legal hunting hours “ is standalone. If you take out the “or while taking game” and just have “hunting outside legal hunting hours”, which is just poaching.

Trying to save someone from a misdemeanor and $2000 fine.

 

[Bubblehide]

I’ve read it. I know. He’s reading it wrong. That’s the point I’m trying to make. The “or while taking game outside legal hunting hours “ is standalone. If you take out the “or while taking game” and just have “hunting outside legal hunting hours”, which is just poaching.

Trying to save someone from a misdemeanor and $2000 fine.

Gotcha. Yes, I agree with you. Clearly based on the preceding, thermal is also not legal for depredation hunting. That is what the "or" is referring to. And, clearly, using thermal during legal hunting hours is NOT legal.

 

[VinoVino]

I think the moral of the story is that if the wording is as poor as this particular regulation and you are uncertain what it means, call up the DFW. They are very helpful and can save all of us a lot of pain.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Here's the response that should have been given:

Reach out to the state's Game and Fish department and get a written response to your question; do not rely upon a verbal answer to protect your backside. This way 1) if you decide to proceed and 2) if you are "busted", you have that actual response to use in court (assuming it helps you). Do not expect the judge and/or jury to be overly impressed when you whip out your WMR response(s) to your question.

 

[VinoVino]

Also really good advice from @AZ_Hunter_2000

 

[Loper]

2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 33 - Parks and Wildlife
Wildlife
Article 6 - Law Enforcement and Penalties - Wildlife
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 33-6-127. Hunting with artificial light, night vision, or thermal imaging devices​

Universal Citation: CO Rev Stat § 33-6-127 (2016)
(1) (a) Unless otherwise provided by commission rule and except as provided in section 33-6-107 (9) for persons owning or leasing land, members of their family, or their agents, it is unlawful for any person to utilize any artificial light as an aid in hunting or taking any wildlife. For the purposes of this subsection (1), the possession of any firearm with cartridges in the chamber or magazine or loaded with powder and ball or a strung bow, unless the bow is cased, while attempting to project any artificial light into areas where wildlife may be found is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

(b) A person who violates this subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of two hundred dollars and an assessment of twenty license suspension points.

(2) (a) Unless otherwise provided by commission rule and except as provided in section 33-6-107 (9) for persons owning or leasing land, members of their family, or their agents, it is unlawful for a person to utilize electronic night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering optics, or thermal imaging devices as an aid in hunting or taking wildlife outside legal hunting hours according to commission rules.

(b) A person who violates this subsection (2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of two thousand dollars and an assessment of twenty license suspension points.

It’s interesting that if you are hunting with artificial light (old school poaching) you only get a $200 fine. However, if you are poaching with a fancy new thermal or night vision device, it is a $2,000 fine.

Shouldn’t they be treated they be treated the same with the same punishment? I guess they figure that if you can afford night vision or a thermal device, you can afford the $2,000 fine, but if you are poaching the poor mans way with a spotlight, $200 is about the maximum fine you can handle.

 

[kthomas]

It's cheating. The end. Bye.

By that same logic, wouldn't using any magnified optics that enhances your ability to see game be considered "cheating"?

Just like humans didn't evolve to have the capability to see thermal imagery with our naked eyes, we don't have the biological ability to see 8x-60x magnification without the use of man-made artificially constructed optical instruments.

 

[dirtytough]

By that same logic, wouldn't using any magnified optics that enhances your ability to see game be considered "cheating"?

Just like humans didn't evolve to have the capability to see thermal imagery with our naked eyes, we don't have the biological ability to see 8x-60x magnification without the use of man-made artificially constructed optical instruments.

You are wasting your time. I bet 95%+ of the people saying it’s cheating, not fair chase, etc have never even used a thermal before.

 

[Seeleylakehuntr]

I mean if we are going to put sparkplugs in the truck let's put em all in there boys.

 

[Jimbee]

If it's legal to use a flashlight or headlamp in the dark while carrying your rifle and then you put it away once it was legal shooting hours, couldn't you do the same with a thermal imaging device?

 

[VinoVino]

If it's legal to use a flashlight or headlamp in the dark while carrying your rifle and then you put it away once it was legal shooting hours, couldn't you do the same with a thermal imaging device?

You would have an impossible task of convincing the game warden that you weren’t using it during hunting hours to aid in your hunt.

 

[Jimbee]

You would have an impossible task of convincing the game warden that you weren’t using it during hunting hours to aid in your hunt.

I agree. I'm just uncertain if it's actually illegal.

 

[fwafwow]

To answer your question, no I have not ever used thermal on a western type hunt but for hogs or finding down game and such it’s always interested me. I’m curious what model(s) you’ve had success with? Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If one uses a thermal to find downed game, is there a risk the GW who you run into thinks you used the thermal to take the animal? It seems like Leupold came out with a hand held thermal a few years ago and they went to some length to say it could (or should?) be used only to find downed game.

 

[USP45]

I did not recieve a call back today and the lady who answered the phone did not know the answer. She directed the question to another, took my number, and said someone would get back to me...

I tried Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Gunnison though.

 

[USP45]

By that same logic, wouldn't using any magnified optics that enhances your ability to see game be considered "cheating"?

Just like humans didn't evolve to have the capability to see thermal imagery with our naked eyes, we don't have the biological ability to see 8x-60x magnification without the use of man-made artificially constructed optical instruments.

This is kind of the point that this thread has evolved into. If the internet had been around (and thus forums such as this) the first time someone suggested taking a miniature Hubble into the mountais, aka a 30-60 power spotting scope so that they may be able to more efficiently find an animal to hunt, would the chastisation have been the same? "That's cheating", "shouldn't be allowed", "just use your 4x binoculars like everyone else does" etc?

If a thermal device is not allowed to be used during daylight hours then so be it, no issues with the laws, statutes or regulations. But blindly stating that something shouldn't be used because it is simply a new piece of technology is a slippery slope to go down. Just about every accepted piece of equipment we use has been developed to be more efficient, precise and ethical in our hunting endeavors. With that being said there is certainly a limit somewhere, just not sure where "somewhere" is.

Anyways, I am sure we can go back to arguing about which motor oil is the best, which diesel truck outperforms the others, or at what distance a long range hunting shot is too far again now.

 

[chicoredneck]

Humans are efficient predators because we use our brains to create tools to aid us in hunting. It started with sharp sticks and stones and has progressed to firearms. We also use gps devices, phones, cars, fancy clothes, etc that all helps us in our pursuit of game.

A thermal device is unfair? Give me a break. Go back to chasing game down and clubbing it if you feel that way.

To each their own. If you want to hunt with a spear and no optics, go for it. Don’t judge those who choose to drive their air conditioned truck halfway across the country in 2 days and shoot a deer at 500 yards with a scopes rifle and 15x binoculars.

 

[MattB]

States and record keeping organizations have been keen to limit the use of electronics to aid in the taking of game. Comparing that to an increase in optical magnification IMO is disingenuous.