Hunting with Infra-red for heat signatures

[ployer]

I might have been watching too many movies so if this is stupid just tell me to shut up

I'm getting into hunting here in Victoria and we have some of the forestry is pretty dense.

I've been out a few times and heard critters rustling about but couldn't see them for the trees or bushes.

I read from deer hunters that if a deer's hunkered down for the night you can just walk past them without hearing anything.

Does anyone use heat-vision stuff for finding their game while hunting? I'm not talking about super high tech military scopes or anything like that, but just a basic infra-red scope to locate them, then track 'em down and do the business with your regular scope.

Seems like an idea for if they're hiding somewhere for the evening or just locating them in dense bush?

Any advantage is good right.

[Monty]

Good quality night-vision stuff is still pretty pricey from what I've seen. For useful quality current generation stuff anyway, not the Radio Shack DIY night vision junk...

Not knocking the idea, but I expect the equipment is probably too expensive for most.

[Guliver]

Not too sporting IMHO

[ployer]

I want dinner, not an honourable duel

[Broom]

Not too sporting IMHO

Is chasing them with a rifle that shoots hundreds of metres sporting?

[Seik]

It's fair.

They've got twice the legs.

You get extra reach

[Guliver]

I fell like we need a few Ba Dum Tish in this thread.

[Seik]

Ha ha.

[Baronvonrort]

These guys used night vision for culling rabbits,if they are feral pests i dont care if it is sporting as long as the job gets done.

http://www.sportingshootermag.com.au/news/werribee-mansion-rabbit-plague-culled-by-ssaa-shooters

[Lorgar]

I could have used this the other weekend.

Couldn't find this bastard of a deer who was calling at us through the bushes for hours.

Couldn't find him

[Igoe]

I think you will find it falls into the same category as spotlights, which are illegal for deer hunting on public land.

From the depi.vic.gov.au website:

People are not to be in possession of a firearm and spotlight between 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise in recognised deer habitat.

A spotlight is now defined as any source of artificial light, infrared device, night vision or heat detecting device.

Not sporting, and not worth the risk of losing your licence, your firearms, and lots of money.

Ian

[ployer]

Thanks Igoe.

For the record definitely wan't talking about doing anything after hours/illegal/whatever...

Just finding them in dense bush or low visibility areas during suitable times/places.