Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Okay, I've been thinking about something, and I wouldn't mind hearing some input from you guys about it.

We all know that technology continues to change the dynamics of hunting, whether it be new cams, new metals, lighter materials, digital video, infrared images, laser rangefinding equipment, waterproof materials, etc...

Anyway, I've been following this for a while now, and I think the technology that is most likely to change the landscape of hunting in the next 10 yearsis thermal imaging.

Thermal Imaging cameras have been around for a while now, but the technology has finally reached civilian levels with user-friendly devices. Years ago, these contraptions were quite cumbersome, and were only available to military personnel. Over time, things have evolved, and this technology has become available, and it is becoming more affordable to civilians. Prices have dropped from $20-$40K into the $3,000 range currently. Increased entry into the market now has dozens of manufacturers developing the technology and driving prices downward.

Eventually, it's forseeable (just like night vision) that these units will be available for $100-$200.

I just think that when these units are readily available to the general hunting population, it will change the face of hunting forever. You can just imagine how an image like the ones below could help you fill your tags.

Going one step further, imagine having a riflescope with a thermal imaging camera built-in.

A device like this would allow a spot & stalk hunter to cover a large area, almost "shopping" for his trophy. Alternatively, a thermal scope and night vision technology could allow a poacher to slink into your lease, under cover of darkness, and hunt your deer without a sliver of daylight. Now, I'm not saying that this will be a problem 3, 4 or even 10 years down the line, but as things become more affordable, the more likely it is that these items will show up in a deerwoods near you.

Just something for you guys to kick around.






http://www.x20.org/thermal/

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Cant hunt after dark. No, i would not use one cause i don't see the point or the sport. Can u even use them in the daylight? Having one for night time surveys might be beneficial. Or maybe tracking a deer in the dark that you cant find. I guess i would have to see the restrictions on usage to be able to say whether or not they should be available to the public.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

That technology already exists at the consumer level to some degree , "Game finders" are based on thermal detection , they just don't display an image , only an approximate range to the heat source . Thermal devices are already illegal in many states anyway , so thermal imaging systems would also be illegal . In the long run it boils down to "Is it legal ?" and "Is it the way I want to hunt ?" , you have to answer those questions for yourself . Personally , I don't need or want that .

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

A tool like that would most likely be made illegal to posses while hunting. Similar to electronic calls and live decoys which are illegal in many places.

It would remove one of the natural advantages of the animal, the ability to seemingly vanish.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I do not think antlers show up on thermal image[&:]

So who cares, I can tell you at night "There are deer in those woods", but who cares? Not me, let the deer have the night!!

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I do not see them being legal to hunt with.

I do see them being used for scouting cameras/videos.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I agree - this type of equipment has no place in a hunter's hands. But, I'm just pointing out that this kind of technology is readily available, and is something that must be dealt with at some point. It'll become a growing problem as prices drop.

What about states where it is illegal to spotlight deer at night - Do you guys think that a hunter should be able to drive around all night looking at deer through his thermal video camera? You're doing the same thing, just without the spotlight.

My point is that we've all seen the lengths that some will go to in search of trophy game. It'll surely be interesting to see how states handle this. Just something to watch, I guess.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I have said on many occasions that theramal cameras would sell like hotcakes if they become affordable. I can only hope they will not be made legal for hunting.

Imagine the difference these would make for drives during gun season. There would be trucks full of maniacs just hanging these things out the window until they saw a blip on the screen.........then jump out and run 15 guys through that plot.

I'm sure that they would all say they still hunt "fair chase" too :eek:

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

You would not be able to detect deer that are in dense cover.

The animal would have to be in plain sight in order to pick up the heat signature.

I am by no means an expert, but I do use this technology in my daily work environment and have a working knowledge of it use.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Your right. It's just a matter of time. Now we just need more law enforcement out there armed with their own IR device. The poachers would be like sitting ducks, wouldn't they?

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I can see it now a thermal imaging radar strapped on top of your ground blind. Instead of looking out the windows to spot deer you just look at the radar until they are within the 30 yard line.
Blip, blip , blip.....

So, why doesn't every border agent carry a handheld?

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I am 100% agreement with you on this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

This technology is already being used to conduct deer surveys at the university level (Alabama I believe, not sure exactly but somewhere in the south). I have seen footage of it. Antlers are visible while in velvet (due to the high heat of the blood flowing in the velvet), but once the velvet is shed antlers become very difficult to see. It is about 30% more efficient than nightime spotlight surveys.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Critr-Gritr - You're right on - those are called FLIR studies, and there are many states utilizing them as a management tool, and to get an actual grasp on their deer populations. Pennsylvania just launched a very extensive (and expensive)FLIR study of whitetail populations in certain areas in Central PA.

The units mount to the underside of an aircraft that flies over the designated area, filming the ground. The video is later reviewed and the deer are counted. It's pretty slick, really. Look to see a lot more of that in the not-so-distant future.

You're right - antlers are very visible in velvet, but are still visible after the velvet is gone, but they just don't show up quite as bright, and you need to be a lot closer, etc... However, as technology becomes enhanced, so does the imaging and sensitivity, so I'm sure the latest units are more sensitive and provide better clarity, etc...

In a daylighthunting scenario, one could glass a hillside with the Thermal camera, then follow-up with a 60x spotting scope and check for headgear on a deer that was fairly well-hidden in some brush, and would have otherwise escaped the naked eye.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Price is still very high and will remain so for a long while. I don't forsee it as a problem b/c IR technology and NV will soon be made illegal to civilian hands. I am convinced of that. NV is already regulated and export is not allowed. I think the only civilian available thermal scope out now is somewhere around 10K.

You can adapt a nautical hot eye to a ground based system and use that now if someone had the $ and desre.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I have read where they do studies or surveys on how many deer are in a certain area by using aerial IR imaging. Its a pretty cool idea to know how many deer you have. Any idea where something like this is based? www.....com

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

Just some food for your conversation - check out http://www.thermalscout.com

Personally I'm not a huge fan of it for purposes of scouting/hunting. However for game recovery, if used properly, I'm all for it.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I'm still waiting forheat seaking broadheads. I'd probably just shoot my foot.[&:]

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

You could probably shoot a better rack at a high fence place for the cost of the night vision or IR device. lol.

Anyone that buys one of those devices is pretty much after the horns. So silly.

Tom

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

i'd say they would be good for seeing blood trails and that deer alot better at night than most of the modern day tools anyone agree?

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

This is agood tool for wildlife management people to study deer populations in order to make better decisions about license quotas, management policy, etc. I do think it might be a good way to help recover downed animals. I'd be for that too.

You're right though - if it got into the hands of violators it would be a bad thing. I like the idea of conservation officers having this technology to catch poachers.

RE: Thermal Imaging - the end of hunting as we know it?
 

I don't think it should be usedduring actualhunting. If anything maybe allowed on the off seasons so that a hunter can posibly pattern an animal, but then again I guess it would be a matter of, would it be considered fair chase and ethical. It would be neat though to be able to float one on some type of balloon over a hunting area to get an idea of the population. BUT in my opinion, it would take away from the hard work hunters put in the field, to actually take pride in their success.