Hunting & Fishing Hog Hunting at Night Questions

[FALex]

Hey all, Misses FALex purchased me a hog hunt in TX which I am going to in a couple of weeks. Apparently, you can hunt at night. The ranch recommended NV or thermal, of course, but said you can "get by" with an amber-colored flashlight and your standard scope/rifle. Being that this is going to be for two nights, I'm not super interested in purchasing NV or a thermal, though the Sig Echo 1 is appealing.

Any of you folks have any experience with this, where I can get by a little cheaper than dropping 1-6k on an entire setup? I know the amber flashlight MIGHT work, I guess my concern would be how the hell am I supposed to hold it and shoot at the same time? HAHA!!!

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[skinney_7]

Rent a high end thermal for a couple days, few hundred bucks and it'll be worth every penny... www.ultimatenightvision.com Call them talk to Tyler Adair, tell him Ops sent ya.

 

[wxl]

Hey all, Misses FALex purchased me a hog hunt in TX which I am going to in a couple of weeks. Apparently, you can hunt at night. The ranch recommended NV or thermal, of course, but said you can "get by" with an amber-colored flashlight and your standard scope/rifle. Being that this is going to be for two nights, I'm not super interested in purchasing NV or a thermal, though the Sig Echo 1 is appealing.

Any of you folks have any experience with this, where I can get by a little cheaper than dropping 1-6k on an entire setup? I know the amber flashlight MIGHT work, I guess my concern would be how the hell am I supposed to hold it and shoot at the same time? HAHA!!!

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

There are flashlight mounts that can attach to barrels, scopes, etc. There are lights with on/off switch or a pressure switch you can with Velcro you mount near your support hand.

Check for shops with hunting/shooting specialties (not box stores) for advice

 

[niteshooter]

If I was paying to shoot pigs, as in a few hundred bucks , I would expect the outfitter to provide NV/thermal if they are remotely serious about the operation they are running. Or have their own dog pack to run.
What terrain will you be in; brush, hill country, grain fields.
20 years ago everyone just used the q-beam or other good spotlight at night for grain fields. If the moon was full and sky's semi clear a Nikon scope or better was fine for about 200 yards. Got a few at night at the corn feeders that way also.
Holding the spotlight and aiming the rifle took some skill but was doable. Still a pain. Best to have a buddy shine the light. That's the cheap way.
Lots of gun mounted lights sold these days in various colors that will do the same thing as well.

 

[FALex]

If I was paying to shoot pigs, as in a few hundred bucks , I would expect the outfitter to provide NV/thermal if they are remotely serious about the operation they are running. Or have their own dog pack to run.
What terrain will you be in; brush, hill country, grain fields.
20 years ago everyone just used the q-beam or other good spotlight at night for grain fields. If the moon was full and sky's semi clear a Nikon scope or better was fine for about 200 yards. Got a few at night at the corn feeders that way also.
Holding the spotlight and aiming the rifle took some skill but was doable. Still a pain. Best to have a buddy shine the light. That's the cheap way.
Lots of gun mounted lights sold these days in various colors that will do the same thing as well.

Well, brother, I completely agree with you. If I disclosed all of the associated costs of this "3 day" hunt (it's really a fucking day and a half), you would shit a brick. When I called to submit book the hunt, the guy started running down the list of associated costs...this shit is going to be well into the 800-1200.00 range by the time I am done (depends on how much meat I harvest...1.00/lb charge). However, Misses FALex did not think to "shop around" when she purchased this thing, so I am stuck. Oh well, I'm not bitching too much, just curious to see if I can get on the thermal game for a few nights.

To the gentleman above who posted the thermal rental outfit, I appreciate the hell out of that. I will give them a holler.

Thanks all.

 

[DustyRoads91]

My buddies rented some thermal from ultimate a few weeks ago for a coyote hunting contest. Worked great, showed up the Thursday before the hunt and they just shipped it back that Monday. Cost him 300 bucks I think for a REAP IR for the whole weekend. Pretty perfect for your situation I think.

 

[The Angler]

Some of those green/Amber lights can stretch out well over 100yrds.
Can the guide light 'em up for you while you take the shot? If not, I've used duct tape on a 30-30 with ok results; wasn't pretty, but it worked.

Are you going to be using a variable scope? If so be sure to make adjustments for exit pupil

Depending on weather, moon phase, and your vision, you may not even need night vision optics.

Good luck




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[niteshooter]

After a quick google search just now I will agree with rental idea for a one time hunt trip. Travel cost and all others considered 2-300 for effective optics will make for a better hunt considering hogs nocturnal nature.
Ultimate night vision's prices aren't too bad considering what you get.
Down range thermal and night vision rental seem in line with the same pricing. That damage deposit is something consider since shit can happen.
A few years ago when thermal and night vision started getting real popular it seemed the few places renting out gear were like 3-500 per night plus deposits. Might as well buy it for the cost of a weekend. Why I kind of quit following that stuff, but looks like things have become more reasonable.

 

[h4everything]

Rent some real NV from them. If you aren't doing it all the time doesn't pay to buy it.

Spot light with a red filter will work on a spotlight if the pigs aren't shot at all of the time. Most pigs will run like the wind at the first sign of a light though. They get real smart real fast.

 

[Sendit6.5]

Rent some real NV from them. If you aren't doing it all the time doesn't pay to buy it.

Spot light with a red filter will work on a spotlight if the pigs aren't shot at all of the time. Most pigs will run like the wind at the first sign of a light though. They get real smart real fast.

^^this^^ X 10!

I manage a big S Texas hunting ranch (only open to public for bowhunting) and this is great advice. That price is absolutely ridiculous but since you're locked in, I'd spend the extra money to guarantee you have a good time. We use lights mounted on our rifles for predator control and hog eradication on other ranches I shoot for. They get pretty 'hip' to what's going on with the lights and the hogs can get tough to get shots on. The NV will definitely give you an edge.

Have a good hunt!


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[archerforkids]

https://elusivewildlife.com/
great lights. Great people to deal with.
Red lights seem to work better for me

 

[Crews]

I have killed many, many hogs after dark with a regular flashlight mounted on the front of an AR. To be specific, it's a 12.5" 6.8 with a Streamlight Protac 1 in a Gear Sector offset mount. Paired with a quality 1-4x24 with an alluminated reticle, I can make solids hits on moving animals easily out to 50 yards, and stationary targets out to 100 yards. I really enjoy having a thermal hand held for locating them, but you really do not need a bunch of fancy contraptions to shoot them.

 

[stello1001]

We've done hog hunting in Mexico and south Texas at night with no fancy equipment. What we have done is gone to an area that we knew had some hog traffic and stat in the truck or blind or stand or whatever you want. After your eyes have spent some time in the dark they will adjust for seeing at night a bit better and you will be able to see their shapes moving around. Have your rifle pointed in their direction and have your partner turn the truck lights on or a spotlight at the hogs. Plain and simple. Good luck and whatever you decide on, I hope you have fun.

 

[tansinator]

For the future, Jagerpro in south Ga. I have been twice, everything is furnished. Lots of oppurtunities to harvest. Guys have been doing it for years.

Eddie