Hunting this morning

[JamieZ]

Not a big deal, just thought I would share.

During daylight hours, all before 745am I saw a racoon, a fox, 4 deer and a rabid squirrel that I thought it was looking to attack me. It was sitting there in the tree looking at me and growling. I made noises to try and scare it away and even growled back but he didn't give a shit.

The 4 deer,,, it was momma, her 2 peach colored babies and another light brown baby that looked kind of large for the clan but to small to be a 1 year old.

Have 2 doe permits for my area and can get 2 more free Nov 1st,,, its antlerless gun season in my area.

Could of shot momma but didnt want to put the kids in a bind trying to survive.

Deer were in front of me for 20 to 30 mins

 

[GOYABEAN]

Not a big deal, just thought I would share.

During daylight hours, all before 745am I saw a racoon, a fox, 4 deer and a rabid squirrel that I thought it was looking to attack me. It was sitting there in the tree looking at me and growling. I made noises to try and scare it away and even growled back but he didn't give a shit.

The 4 deer,,, it was momma, her 2 peach colored babies and another light brown baby that looked kind of large for the clan but to small to be a 1 year old.

Have 2 doe permits for my area and can get 2 more free Nov 1st,,, its antlerless gun season in my area.

Could of shot momma but didnt want to put the kids in a bind trying to survive.

Deer were in front of me for 20 to 30 mins

Squirrel said C'mon man you know the thing every squirrel early to rise gets a robin chasing a I like ice cream

 

[Saltwater60]

Good move honestly. It’s hot too and would suck the drag a deer out of the woods. You’d have to move your ass cleaning and cooking it down.

 

[JamieZ]

Good move honestly. It’s hot too and would suck the drag a deer out of the woods. You’d have to move your ass cleaning and cooking it down.

There is a lane way that goes all the way back there and I of could driven my truck to about 50yds away from the kill. maybe even closer. No long haul for me. Any longer and I could of took the 10 min drive home, grabbed the 4 wheeler and drove the 25 mins it takes to drive back over there on the wheeler. No long haul for me

I have my laziness all figured out

 

[Shoots100]

That squirrel was not happy with you.
Glad to see your using the thermal monocular for more than just predator hunting.

 

[JamieZ]

That squirrel was not happy with you.
Glad to see your using the thermal monocular for more than just predator hunting.

Love the thermal for walking out to the stand in pitch black while trying not to scare anything.

Love the thermal while sitting in the stand in daylight scoping the area out and being able to see deer that are blending in with their surroundings. Love it.

Leaving the house now to head out for a early morning hunt. I will shoot momma today when she comes out and I can almost guarantee she will come out of the corn about the same time as yesterday.

Today is the last day of early firearm hunting and my 6.8 is getting tired of staying silent,,, she hasnt even barked since last year.

 

[1075tech]

Love the thermal for walking out to the stand in pitch black while trying not to scare anything.

Friend of mine could have used one a couple of years ago. Walked out to his stand during bow season only to find a black bear had already claimed it.

Good luck with this mornings hunt

 

[Saltwater60]

What thermal do you have. I have lots of brushy cover in my area and I miss plenty of deer. This would be a huge help to me hunting.

 

[JamieZ]

What thermal do you have. I have lots of brushy cover in my area and I miss plenty of deer. This would be a huge help to me hunting.

AGM Taipan TM15 mono.

This morning I walked out there at about 520am. Walked all the way to the end of the laneway where you take a left and head towards the woods. Tree stand is right on the corner of the woods.

I couldnt go any further once I was at the end of the laneway, 2 deer were on the edge of the woods. Both walked into the woods and then came back out within 1min. After about 10 mins watching them they started heading towards me. One got to within 10ft of me and the other roughly 15ft. Wind was blowing from the southwest and they were south of me,, so they couldnt smell me. I had no cover at all, I was in the open,

One did sense something wasnt right and snorted at me, then backed away 10yds. Then the other one did the same. They kept moving 10yds and snorting till they got about 50yds away and then started running. They were 2 baby buck

After that I went to the tree stand, daylight came up and I saw nothing. Hung out for an hour and half, then got down and quietly walked through the small woods. Kicked up 2 deer in the small woods that were not the ones I saw before daybreak because they went in the opposite direction.


View attachment EZVZ0026.MP4

 

[Blimey]

Could of shot momma but didn't want to put the kids in a bind trying to survive.

At this stage I highly doubt they need the mother, which is why the season is now vs, say, June.

That said I got nothing in the past week. I passed on two extremely good opportunities (doe moving within 20 yards and I had a muzzle loader) because of the kids around. I actually wonder truly if I'm starting to lose the heart to hunt these things. I only wanted to kill an adult doe that was part of a pack but that didn't present as an opportunity. Come November I expect I will shoot one regardless.

I had a group of three small-antlered bucks meander past me also within 25 yards and the angle was perfect, but no tag.

 

[Saltwater60]

AGM Taipan TM15 mono.

This morning I walked out there at about 520am. Walked all the way to the end of the laneway where you take a left and head towards the woods. Tree stand is right on the corner of the woods.

I couldnt go any further once I was at the end of the laneway, 2 deer were on the edge of the woods. Both walked into the woods and then came back out within 1min. After about 10 mins watching them they started heading towards me. One got to within 10ft of me and the other roughly 15ft. Wind was blowing from the southwest and they were south of me,, so they couldnt smell me. I had no cover at all, I was in the open,

One did sense something wasnt right and snorted at me, then backed away 10yds. Then the other one did the same. They kept moving 10yds and snorting till they got about 50yds away and then started running. They were 2 baby buck

After that I went to the tree stand, daylight came up and I saw nothing. Hung out for an hour and half, then got down and quietly walked through the small woods. Kicked up 2 deer in the small woods that were not the ones I saw before daybreak because they went in the opposite direction.


View attachment 128525

Can you use these during the day on a cooler day to spot a deer in high brush or do they have to be in the open?
That video was super nice.

 

[JamieZ]

You can use them during the day. Just dont point at the sun because it could cause sensor damage. I use mine for chuck hunting, deer hunting and at night coyote and fox hunting.

You could see a deer in brush as long as its entire heat signature isnt hidden. Which would be unlikely.

Could a racoon hide behind a tree,,, Yes

Could a deer hide behind a tree,,,, most likely not unless its one huge f-ing tree and I mean huge

 

[JamieZ]

Can you use these during the day on a cooler day to spot a deer in high brush or do they have to be in the open?
That video was super nice.

PS: Doesnt matter if its a cool day or a hot day. As long as the animal hasnt been dead for a couple of days you will still see it

 

[Saltwater60]

PS: Doesnt matter if its a cool day or a hot day. As long as the animal hasnt been dead for a couple of days you will still see it

Cool. Thanks. I will have to get me one of these. I looked and there’s some for about $400. I know nothing of them. I would t want to spend $1,500 on one. What do you k ow about them and what is a good one to start with? Sorry I don’t mean to hijack the thread and I can take it to PM of you want. I figure it kid of ties in with your thread. I just don’t want to piss off the guy helping me. Seems rude.

 

[JamieZ]

They make lower quality AGM models, as in lower quality sensor models for $400.

A lower quality sensor will give you way less definition in your display, way less distance in the ability for it to pick up a heat source. Will it work for picking up heat sources for 50yds and under,,, yes. Will it give you any kind of detail, No. Will you be able to tell if its a deer at 50yds, possibly but I cant be sure because I never looked through one.

When it comes to thermals,,, if you think you are spending less and getting something at a steal,,, You need to lay off the whacky weed.

There is a reason why some thermal mono's are $400 and some are $4000.

You will be wetting your whistle if you buy a $400 model.

I would guarantee you would be much happier with a 384x288 sensor model,,, thats the lowest I would even go and I am happy with mine. Definition is good but not superb. Distance to pick up heat signatures is excellent.

I bought a Night Vision mono and Scope at a steal $600,,, I sold it in no time at all. I bought a Pulsar RXQ30v (384x288 with a 17um pixel pitch) thermal scope $1800 and a Pulsar Axion XM30 $2k (320x240 w/12um pixel pitch),,, I sold them in no time at all

I bought a AGM Taipan TM15 and a Bering Optics Super Hogster,,, love them to death and doubt I will ever sell them. They both have 384x288 sensors with 12um pixel pitch. They are both excellent!!

When purchasing a thermal do the research on what is good as far as sensors go. If that doesnt work out,,, figure out a way you can try the unit out before purchasing,, whether you can buy one and send it back if you dont like it. Try it during the day or night, it doesnt matter. What you see in the day is exactly what and how you would see it at night.

Videos dont show the quality of sensors. Usually or almost always what you actually see is better than what you recorded.

Just to see the difference between quality,,, look at my video's compared to Shoots100's videos. He is using a 640 sensor which is top quality and blows my 384 sensors away in definition/clarity,,, even know I think my Super Hogster kicks ass for clarity,,,,,, its still not as good as his Pulsar XP or the new one he is getting,,, the XG

When it comes thermals,,, magnification is important to,, especially for scopes. I say this because upping the magnification worsens your clarity. If you start on 2 and you up it to 4, you just doubled the fuzziness of your clarity


PS STAY AWAY FROM ATN

 

[Shoots100]

With going off topic on thermals, I'm guessing you didn't shoot anything today ?

I concur with J here, you pay for what you get with thermals, but you need to also take display size and resolution into account, no matter what the cost.
A wide field of view (FOV) and big display size, with lower base magnification, make a great combo for spotting.
A smaller FOV, mid sized display and higher magnification, make a great combination for shooting.
After trying out most of the low to mid priced thermal monoculars on the market and conversing with friends that hunt as a profession, the AGM Taipan TM15 ended up being the best all around monocular for spotting in the varying terrain of the north east.
It can also be helmet mounted, if needed.
As you've seen in J's videos, you can't easily hide from thermal and it's a great tool to have in the woods.
But be warned, as J can attest to, the thermal rabbit hole is very alluring and expensive.
I would say that any thermal is better than no thermal, but when the clarity of the lower cost thermal's is so crappy, it's really worth it to save up a little more to get a better quality thermal, then suffer using a piece of shit one, especially when there are so many choices for todays consumer.

 

[JamieZ]

With going off topic on thermals, I'm guessing you didn't shoot anything today ?

I concur with J here, you pay for what you get with thermals, but you need to also take display size and resolution into account, no matter what the cost.
A wide field of view (FOV) and big display size, with lower base magnification, make a great combo for spotting.
A smaller FOV, mid sized display and higher magnification, make a great combination for shooting.
After trying out most of the low to mid priced thermal monoculars on the market and conversing with friends that hunt as a profession, the AGM Taipan TM15 ended up being the best all around monocular for spotting in the varying terrain of the north east.
It can also be helmet mounted, if needed.
As you've seen in J's videos, you can't easily hide from thermal and it's a great tool to have in the woods.
But be warned, as J can attest to, the thermal rabbit hole is very alluring and expensive.
I would say that any thermal is better than no thermal, but when the clarity of the lower cost thermal's is so crappy, it's really worth it to save up a little more to get a better quality thermal, then suffer using a piece of shit one, especially when there are so many choices for todays consumer.

Nope,,, didnt shoot anything after being absolutely positive momma would come back out. She never showed herself but I am a shitty deer hunter that cant sit in the tree stand for long. It bores the hell out of me. Think I only sat for a hour and a half after daylight started. So she might of came out but not when this bored hunter was in the stand.

Im thinking the first day she and her little ones came out could of possibly been because I was blowing on a lost fawn call. It didnt come to the call yesterday though. Coyote hunting has ingrained the use of calls in me. I like to call animals in,,, it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Same thing when it comes to Geese, Ducks and Turkey.

 

[Saltwater60]

Thanks boys. I’ll think on it. $1,500 right now is just not in the cards so I’ll kick this can down the road. Maybe next year and maybe prices will drop who knows.

 

[Saltwater60]

Nope,,, didnt shoot anything after being absolutely positive momma would come back out. She never showed herself but I am a shitty deer hunter that cant sit in the tree stand for long. It bores the hell out of me. Think I only sat for a hour and a half after daylight started. So she might of came out but not when this bored hunter was in the stand.

Im thinking the first day she and her little ones came out could of possibly been because I was blowing on a lost fawn call. It didnt come to the call yesterday though. Coyote hunting has ingrained the use of calls in me. I like to call animals in,,, it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Same thing when it comes to Geese, Ducks and Turkey.

I’m the same way. I can’t sit for long either. Now that I have a tree stand that’s comfortable maybe I will be able to. I also am taking some college courses so I’ll bring some of that along to peak my interest.

 

[JamieZ]

Thanks boys. I’ll think on it. $1,500 right now is just not in the cards so I’ll kick this can down the road. Maybe next year and maybe prices will drop who knows.

AGM Taipan TM15-384 Thermal Monocular | Night Vision Guys

The Taipan handheld observational thermal monocular is equipped with a 384×288 infrared detector and a 1280×960 LCOS display. It supports functions of observation, highest temperature target tracking, distance measurement, Wi-Fi hotspot, and so on. The high-sensitivity built-in thermal detector...

www.nightvisionguys.com

Where I bought mine from. They dont charge you tax, plus you can get 5% off the $1294 price.

Only problem I had and a buddy had,,, they are slow to ship. You buy it one week and they dont end up shipping out till the following week.

 

[Tisto]

I’m the same way. I can’t sit for long either. Now that I have a tree stand that’s comfortable maybe I will be able to. I also am taking some college courses so I’ll bring some of that along to peak my interest.

If you would like to play with my thermal scope, just let me know. I run a FLIR Thermosight Pro for one of my coyote rigs. You're welcome to check it out.

If it says ATN, RUN, DO NOT WALK in the opposite direction - that goes for both Thermal and Nightvision.

One guy I hunt coyotes bought a Super Hogster, and it really is pretty damn AWESOME. Another has a Pulsar something, and let me tell you, That thing is incredible. He did, however spend a fortune on it.

 

[JamieZ]

What Tisto basically said,,,

If anybody is considering thermal and want to try before buying, This is what I have,,,

AGM Taipan TM15, they go for $1300 (mono)

Bering Optics Super Hogster, they go for $3200 (scope)

Pulsar Axion XM30. they go for $2k (mono)

Have access to a AGM Rattler 35, they go for $2500 (scope)

Out of what I have and have access to,,,

Super Hogster is the best
Then the Rattler
Then its kind of a tie between the Axion and the Taipan. Difference between the two is magnification. The Taipan starts out much lower which makes it nicer for when you are sitting right in the woods.

Just send me a message if you want to stop by

 

[Tisto]

What Tisto basically said,,,

If anybody is considering thermal and want to try before buying, This is what I have,,,

AGM Taipan TM15, they go for $1300 (mono)

Bering Optics Super Hogster, they go for $3200 (scope)

Pulsar Axion XM30. they go for $2k (mono)

Have access to a AGM Rattler 35, they go for $2500 (scope)

Out of what I have and have access to,,,

Super Hogster is the best
Then the Rattler
Then its kind of a tie between the Axion and the Taipan. Difference between the two is magnification. The Taipan starts out much lower which makes it nicer for when you are sitting right in the woods.

Just send me a message if you want to stop by

We need to meet somewhere for a few sets. Batavia / Leroy is about half way between us. You have any spots to hunt in that area ? There's a farm in Leroy that I used to whack woodchucks, if it's still the same owner, he would be happy to get rid of a few coyotes or foxes. If this weekend's weather allows, I'll take a ride out there on the bike and see what's up.

 

[JamieZ]

We need to meet somewhere for a few sets. Batavia / Leroy is about half way between us. You have any spots to hunt in that area ? There's a farm in Leroy that I used to whack woodchucks, if it's still the same owner, he would be happy to get rid of a few coyotes or foxes. If this weekend's weather allows, I'll take a ride out there on the bike and see what's up.

I have area in Byron, Bergen and Churchville. My buddy who I met last year is the boyfriend of Zubers daughter. Zubers own many farms in the area and they own land in Monroe county, Genesee County and Wayne county.

Leroy is close but dont have any access to property,, at least that I know about. I will look on onX maps to see if they own any property out there.
Byron is actually closer to you than Leroy, except Leroy would be easier for you, since the thruway exit is right there.

I will start looking for Leroy property now......

 

[JamieZ]

Thanks boys. I’ll think on it. $1,500 right now is just not in the cards so I’ll kick this can down the road. Maybe next year and maybe prices will drop who knows.

Just watched a video for a AGM Micro TM160 and it might do what you want but like I said,,, No Detail to tell what you are looking at,, but if it looks big, it must be a deer ,,, unless you are in bear territory. Video was supposedly taken at 250-300yds. It at least gives you an idea that there is an animal in the area.


This is the cheapest I found it for but you would have to pay tax, though it still might be cheaper with tax than at some of the other places

https://www.amazon.com/AGM-Asp-Micro-Thermal-Imaging-Monocular/dp/B08P3VQR6B

 

[Saltwater60]

Just watched a video for a AGM Micro TM160 and it might do what you want but like I said,,, No Detail to tell what you are looking at,, but if it looks big, it must be a deer ,,, unless you are in bear territory. Video was supposedly taken at 250-300yds. It at least gives you an idea that there is an animal in the area.


This is the cheapest I found it for but you would have to pay tax, though it still might be cheaper with tax than at some of the other places

https://www.amazon.com/AGM-Asp-Micro-Thermal-Imaging-Monocular/dp/B08P3VQR6B

Thanks. It does seem like it would work for me. I’ll have to think on it. Maybe I’ll pass for this year and figure it out for next season I just bought a crossbow so that’s that. I have the cash but I don’t want to piss the wife off. She normally doesn’t care but we’ve had some big expenses and if I buy too much she will ask me for money.

 

[JamieZ]

We need to meet somewhere for a few sets. Batavia / Leroy is about half way between us. You have any spots to hunt in that area ? There's a farm in Leroy that I used to whack woodchucks, if it's still the same owner, he would be happy to get rid of a few coyotes or foxes. If this weekend's weather allows, I'll take a ride out there on the bike and see what's up.

They own no property in Leroy or Batavia. Bunch of it in Byron, Bergen and Churchville.

We are going out for the first time Friday night for yotes and then hunting deer in the morning