Scoping out Success: Infared or Thermal for Coyote Hunting

Scoping out Success: Infared or Thermal for Coyote Hunting

By Aaron Mckinney

In Iowa, we see a lot of rules and regulation changes every year. One of the more recent rules has changed the way we can coyote hunt. According to Iowa’s regulations as outlined in the 2023 DNR rules and regulations: “A person may use an infrared light source to hunt coyotes as long as the infrared light source is mounted to the method of take or to a scope mounted on the method of take. HOWEVER, no person shall use an infrared light source to hunt coyotes during any established muzzleloader, bow, or shotgun deer hunting season”. So, what is legal and what isn’t?

Legally, you can use an IR scope. However, you cannot use it during the deer seasons, which blocks out part of September, all of October, November, most of December, and part of January. Unlike traditional night vision devices, thermal scopes don’t emit any visible light. So, using a thermal scope while coyote hunting is legal all year long. Infrared technology uses an ambient light, so for that reason, these scopes do not meet the definition of a legal scope to use during the deer seasons.
It all depends on when you want to hunt. If you don’t want to coyote hunt during the deer seasons, you will be fine getting an infrared scope and using it. However, if you do want to coyote hunt during the deer seasons, or whenever you want, you could look into getting a thermal unit. This is a big investment for a lot of us, so we will discuss some pros and cons of the scopes and a couple of things to consider before you purchase a scope.

Advantages of using Thermal Scopes
Thermal scopes, which are also known as thermal imaging scopes or thermal optics, have become increasingly popular for various applications, including hunting, surveillance, and search and rescue. Here’s a list of pros and cons to help you understand their advantages
One of the most significant advantages of thermal scopes is their ability to see in complete darkness. They don’t rely on ambient light, making them effective for nighttime coyote hunting. Thermal scopes detect heat signatures, allowing you to see living creatures and objects based on their thermal emissions. This makes them ideal for locating animals concealed in dense cover.

You know during a fall day, when the air is thick, the fog is rolling in on low areas. You feel invisible, and so do the other predators. With thermal, you can see through the fog at approaching animals. Thermal units are expensive, and some of the higher end models have more “bells and whistles” than the basic models. For instance, high-quality thermal scopes can provide long-range detection and identification capabilities allowing you to spot targets at considerable distances. Some advanced thermal scopes offer features like ballistic calculators and integrated rangefinders, helping shooters make accurate shots over different distances. Many thermal scopes offer a wide field of view, which is advantageous for scanning large areas quickly.

Disadvantages of using Thermal Scopes
Thermal scopes are typically more expensive than traditional optics and night vision devices, making them less accessible to some users. You might be faced with putting a couple IR scopes on a couple of guns for the cost of a good thermal scope. While thermal imaging is excellent for detecting heat sources, it doesn’t provide as much detail as traditional optical scopes, making target identification at longer ranges challenging. Thermal scopes require power to operate, and their battery life can be limited, especially when using high-resolution settings or features like video recording. Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect the performance of thermal scopes. Cold weather can reduce their battery life.

There is a considerable learning curve when you purchase a thermal scope. Operating thermal scopes effectively may require some training, as understanding how to interpret thermal images and adjust settings can be complex.

Advantages of using Infrared Scopes
Arguably, the biggest advantage of IR scopes is that they allow you the capability of shooting at night, but they do not cost as much as thermal scopes. You can still hunt easily at night and you can set up a few rigs for what a thermal scope would cost. Night Vision: Infrared scopes provide night vision capabilities, allowing you to see in low-light or complete darkness by detecting infrared light. They are effective in low-light conditions, such as twilight or moonlight, where traditional optics may struggle. Some advanced IR scopes offer image enhancement features, which can improve target identification and clarity. High-quality IR scopes can provide long-range detection and identification capabilities.

Disadvantages of using Infrared Scopes
We’ve mentioned IR scopes can be cheaper than thermal scopes. However, you will still spend some money to get a decent scope. The investment might limit their accessibility to some users. Infrared images may lack the level of detail provided by traditional daytime optics, which can make target identification challenging at longer ranges. The effective range of IR scopes can be limited compared to thermal scopes or daytime optics, especially in adverse weather conditions. Similar to thermal scopes, IR scopes require power to operate, and battery life can be a concern, particularly during extended use. Iowa winter temperatures can affect the performance and battery life of IR scopes. Cold weather can reduce battery life and condensation can disrupt the optics. In Iowa, you want to be aware of the legal restriction of using the IR scopes, which prohibits use during deer seasons. Additionally, IR scopes rely on available infrared light sources, such as moonlight or ambient IR illumination. In situations with no IR light, their effectiveness is reduced. Operating IR scopes effectively may require some training, particularly when it comes to understanding and interpreting IR images.

Final Considerations
In summary, infrared scopes offer night vision capabilities and can be used effectively in low-light conditions. However, they may lack the level of detail provided by traditional optics, and their effectiveness can be influenced by factors like battery life and available IR light. Users should consider their specific needs and budget when deciding whether to invest in an infrared scope. At the Iowa Outdoors Store, I’ve seen more interest in thermal units, mainly because you can use them whenever you want and are not limited by deer season. Thermal scopes offer significant advantages, such as night vision capabilities, heat detection, and versatility in various conditions. However, they come with a higher cost, limited detail, and some operational challenges. Users should carefully consider their specific needs, when they want to coyote hunt, and budget when deciding whether to invest in a thermal or IR scope.