Hunting at night is an amazing experience, with wildlife showing more activity as the sun goes down, as well as ample opportunity to hide in the darkness to stalk your prey. Sporting at night is quite popular among some hunters looking for a particular form of game, especially if that game is more active after dark. Some examples of nocturnal game include raccoons, foxes, opossums, and alligators. However, stalking at night also comes with its own strategies, necessary equipment, and laws. Because visibility is so low in the dark, night strategies often involve holding position rather than tracking on foot, for which equipment such as night vision optics (NV) is a necessity.
Understanding Night Vision Optics
What is night vision?
Night vision technology is any device that enhances and magnifies images of the immediate area and assists in clear vision in low-light-level conditions. The human eye is only able to see within a certain range of light radiation, and the absence of a certain number of rods and cones in the human eye, far less than other mammals such as cats and raccoons, means that the average human does not see well in light below 10–20 W/m2. NV technology enhances this by allowing the human eye to perceive detail through goggles or scopes that adjust and enhance the light level.
Types of Night Vision Optics
The three main types of NV enhancement scopes, some of which combine these technologies, are image intensification, active illumination, and thermal vision. Image intensification magnifies the amount of received photons from natural light sources such as moonlight or starlight that generate an image from a small number of photons. Active illumination combines infrared illumination in the 700–1,000 nm spectral range, just above the visible spectrum of the human eye, with CCD cameras that are sensitive to this light. The resulting scene, which seems dark to the human eye, displays as a monochrome image on a standard display device. Thermal vision detects temperature differences between background and foreground objects, such as body heat from a mammal, and displays them on a screen with color-coordinated imagery.
Equipment for Night Hunting
Factors to consider
Before you put together your night hunt arsenal, consider a few factors first. What type of gun or rifle do you plan to use? What time of year is it, and do you need special clothing? What is your hunt location's terrain and environment like? This greatly affects the sort of night vision you will need. Do you prefer goggles, scopes, and sights for your night vision enhancement? What equipment is legal in your area?
Legal considerations
Some states have specific laws concerning night hunts. In some states, night hunting is no different than day sporting, requiring only a single license to cover both activities. In other states, day and night hunting are two separate licenses. Some states regulate the type of equipment you can use at night. Louisiana, for example, does not allow the use of ATVs at night, nor does it allow the taking of nutria or beaver at night. Stalking deer at night is illegal nationwide. Be familiar with your own state's laws governing equipment and the types of animals you can hunt at night.
Equipment preparation
Ensure that your firearm is clean and operating correctly. Carry a good, sturdy hunting knife that is sharp and properly secured. Ensure that you have the proper clothing for the season, and always carry a first aid kit, a flashlight, spare food and water, and rain gear. Before heading out, make sure everything is functioning properly, that you have charged batteries and extra battery packs, and that your night vision equipment is properly charged.
Field Use
Hunting Techniques with Night Vision
You should always be familiar with the terrain in which you operate. Practice with your equipment, especially your firearm, before heading out into the field, whether it is for a day or night hunt. If you are using night vision, avoid any areas with non-natural lighting, as this severely interferes with the optics operation. If you do not own the property yourself, communicate with the landowner, and use the appropriate caliber weapon for the target animal you will hunt.
Most hunters who use night vision for night hunts find that remaining in a fixed location works best for nocturnal animals. It is also safer for the hunter to remain in position rather than attempt to navigate terrain at night, even with night vision devices. Static positions allow these devices to more easily detect eye shine from creatures lurking in the bushes. While it's illegal to hunt deer at night, some hunters find it safer to perch in a deer stand, which also helps them remain unseen by their prey.
Enhancing visibility
Night vision optics are useful not only in identifying prey but also for safety reasons. In low visibility, especially when dealing with firearms, it is extremely important that you see what you fire at to ensure that it is not the wrong animal or, worse, another person. Coupled with infrared enhancement, night vision keeps you safe, along with any companions, and ensures a responsible and ethical hunt with clear vision in low-light conditions.
Conclusion
Some hunters like heading off into the woods loaded down with the latest high-tech gear, while others prefer nothing more than their daypack, hunting rifle, and little else. When going for a hunt at night, visibility is essential. Night vision equipment should be an essential part of your sporting paraphernalia, not just for accuracy, but also for safety. Test out several different types of night vision goggles and scopes to see which works best for you and your particular needs. Always test them out in a safe, non-hunting environment first before heading out into the wild. With the proper equipment, your nighttime hunt is sure to be successful!