Why Use Thermal Imaging For Hunting?

There are a lot of people with a lot of different opinions when it comes to the questions of using a thermal imaging device for hunting in the UK. My opinion? Do what's right for you and the situation. And in my situation, the reasons why thermal imaging is important for me are mainly to do with safety and tracking. But I'll cover these and more reasons below in a bit more detail.

Double check a safe shot

This is the main reason why I use a thermal imaging spotter.

Most of the land I have permission on either has public footpaths running through it, some of which are hidden to the naked eye; or, like in the case of the golf course I managed rabbits on and one of the farms where I do pigeon decoying - there are people living nearby who like to walk their dogs across the land - even though they're not allowed to!

Even worse - the golf course was where people decide to walk their dogs at night!!

Currently I am using the Hik Micro Condor 2.0 LRF thermal imaging monocular and rangefinder. It has a thermal imaging app that links to your Condor so you can change settings on your phone and also your friend or guide can see what you're seeing at the same time.

I have wanted to use this equipment for a couple of years now, ever since I took someone out to teach them about deer stalking but their thermal spotter turned out to be better than mine! My old thermal monocular and rangefinder couldn't cut through mist or rain, whereas even the basic the Hik Micro thermal imager cut through it all, and at a distance of 700 metres I could not only make out deer but could make out the sex too! So, I certainly feel safe using it in the day or night, in any terrain, to double check my surroundings before taking a shot.

Time Management

I'm sure we would all love to be as in-tune with nature as our ancestors and some tribal people are today - spending days and days tracking across plains or through woodland, and using just the naked eye and ancient fieldcraft to sniff out a herd of animals. But the reality is, in today's modern world most people don't have the time or money to dedicate days upon days just to harvest 1 or 2 animals. If you're like me, someone who has already spent the time and money on learning from mentors and buying the best equipment I could afford, and having to plan hunts around family and work; then you'll probably also want to maximise your chances of having a successful hunt within the 2 - 6 hours you can spare that month.

Usually I will check the rifle before each outing on a target, which means you need even more time set aside so that you aren't rushing the hunt - and so that you can take the shots far enough away from where the deer/rabbits/hares are hanging out.

So, when you don't have time to traipse across 5,000 acres of land looking for deer droppings and you don't have access to a dozen trail-cams like your Game Keeper friends, then yes - you can use a thermal imaging spotter for hunting to ensure you can find your quarry quickly, and then get on with the business of stalking them according to the wind, the terrain, and the sunlight.

Range finding - check the distance

I am not an expert when it comes to hunting with a rifle, with only around 5 years under my belt. However, nobody is an expert at anything when they're new to it.

• As a new driver, I used music to help calm me when driving alone which I was told not to do as you can't 'hear' the gear changes - yet here I am now, the best driver of all my son's 3 parents so he tells me...

• As a new teacher, when writing reports I used old reports as guidelines to copy from.

• And as a new Mother, I was unprepared for the feeling my baby's cry would have on me - I used a dummy and extra to help me cope with that one!

So, as a relatively new rifle shooter, I like to double check the range I am shooting, which over the years I won't have to do as I'll check it against my naked eye first so I get to grips with what each deer species looks like at a certain distance. I prefer to 'stalk' my quarry whether it be deer or rabbits, getting as close as possible before taking the shot. It makes it more sporting for the animal (giving them a chance to escape if I put one foot wrong, like on a loud twig!) and it also feels more rewarding for me. I can truly give myself a pat on the back and feel close to my ancestors if I've spotted something that is 300 yards away that I have managed to walk and crawl to within 100 yards of before taking the shot. I mean, my ancestors certainly weren't throwing spears that distance so why should I...?

I also have not had enough 'practice' at longer range shots, which is another reason why I haven't headed up to Scotland for a stalk yet. I want to rely on my own skill, ability, and understanding of how the wind and physics can affect my bullet at 300 yards, rather than relying on a guide 'telling' me when it's time to take that shot, or how to take it.

Tracking Injured Quarry

When it comes to hunting, many people plan for the perfect hunt. Well, there's a reason that groups such as the UK Deer Track & Recovery Association exist; and that is for the times when it goes just a little bit wrong.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. No matter how much we think we know animals, nature is unpredictable, shooting equipment can fail, and humans can make errors in judgement no matter the level of expertise - we are not perfect. So, for those times when a hunt doesn't go as planned, I like to be prepared with plan b, c, d, e....

I do not currently have a trained tracking dog for deer stalking. I'm working on it though! So, if I shoot a deer at last light which runs off into the woods, I can use a good thermal imaging device to pick up the blood trail and the injured deer itself. And when I say good, I mean something like the Condor 2.0 LRF thermal imaging monocular and rangefinder; which has helped me to find deer even through rain, mist - and brambles! At the end of the day, we want to find the injured animal as quickly as possible to ensure a swift dispatch.

If you're considering getting into rifle shooting, there's a lot to learn about your quarry and the environment it lives in, such as knowing its food source and how to track it. There'll also be lots to learn about the equipment you decide to use. But whatever you decide upon, make sure it suits you, your body and the individual situations you face. My arthritis is one of the things that dictates the equipment I use - which is why my partner very thoughtfully bought me a very large rubber ball to cover my bolt handle, to make it easier to grab in the cold and the wet conditions we usually have in the UK - I don't care how silly it might look to some, for me it's a game changer!

Your friend might use quad sticks to balance their rifle, you may prefer a tripod. Your favourite YouTuber might use a .308 rifle, but you don't need something this powerful if you only have Muntjac in your area. And similarly, you may know someone that frowns upon using a thermal spotter as part of a hunting outing, but they have obviously never felt that uncertainty of whether or not someone has decided to take a walk in the countryside at night across your permission... and on the odd occasions when those bullets ricochet you certainly don't want anyone to be around! So if you feel it's right for you - then use it. If you don't use it - I wish you well and I wish you luck!

For me, the Hik Micro Condor is the best thermal monocular in the UK right now for the money. If you're interested in viewing the full range of Hik Micro outdoor optics check the range on their website here.