Thermal question

[wcw280]

So is it illegal to have a thermal/ir scope on a rifle or is it illegal to hunt with said rifle? Except under the hog permit i understand its legal then. I fail to see how its legal to shoot an armadillo thats digging up your yard as long as you hold the light and shoot it, but shooting one with a thermal is a ATF violation. Is that correct?

 

[Smokyrider]

Not sure what the ATF has to do with it or how it's a violation, should be state by state.

According to the TWRA "guide", armadillo hunting is only during the day but if it's digging holes in your yard that's probably pest control and not hunting, not sure how it fits. If I have a coon making a hole in my chicken run or trying to get in my coop it gets shot. I have home security cameras (part of my home security system) with night vision watching my chickens so when a predator shows up at night and sets off the camera, it gets dealt with.

I do shoot mice/rats with a suppressed thermal equipped 10/22 that are in the chicken run eating food and digging holes but they are not game animals or listed in the hunting "guide".

 

[megalomaniac]

I dont think TWRA sets ANY regulations for removing nuisance animals that are not 'game' animals in your yard.

Now walking around with a thermal optic on a highpower rifle after dark away from your house/ yard and id say you are asking for trouble.

 

[swampbadger]

I dont think TWRA sets ANY regulations for removing nuisance animals that are not 'game' animals in your yard.

Now walking around with a thermal optic on a highpower rifle after dark away from your house/ yard and id say you are asking for trouble.

Said perfectly. X2.

 

[Hammer]

You can't have a thermal mounted on a rifle???

 

[megalomaniac]

You can't have a thermal mounted on a rifle???

Sure you can... just dont be doing anything that could be interpreted as hunting with it from dusk till dawn.

 

[Jbird22]

Thankfully, MS takes this approach pertaining to wild hogs, skunks, foxes, coyotes, beavers, and nutria...

• "Landowners and any leaseholders may hunt nuisance animals year-round at any time of day or night with no weapon/caliber restrictions on property titled in their name or otherwise owned, or leased by them."

 

[skipperbrown]

The way I read the law you can use an IR scope, you just can't use an IR illuminator with it. Am I right or not?

 

[Andy S.]

Thankfully, MS takes this approach pertaining to wild hogs, skunks, foxes, coyotes, beavers, and nutria...

• "Landowners and any leaseholders may hunt nuisance animals year-round at any time of day or night with no weapon/caliber restrictions on property titled in their name or otherwise owned, or leased by them."

I turkey hunted MS in 2023 down around Lexington/Tchula. First thing I noticed on all properties I had access to was they were littered with feeders with cell cameras setup on them, and box stands nearby. I could see remnants of corn litter, but the ones I checked personally had deer pellets in them. Being a first time guest, I was pretty quiet the first few nights, but once we all broke the seal, I setup late with some of the locals and after they had a few adult beverages, a few of the guys showed me their AR platform thermal setups that they used to hunt at night on these feeders. Nuisance animals were not the only game they were hunting. They told me they would get in the "deer stand" in middle of night based on what their cell camera was telling them. I had a great time, we ate some great steaks and I really enjoyed the invite and their company, but their definition of "hunting" and mine are totally different, for both turkeys and deer. I'm afraid this is where TN is headed with baiting.

 

[Jbird22]

I turkey hunted MS in 2023 down around Lexington/Tchula. First thing I noticed on all properties I had access to was they were littered with feeders with cell cameras setup on them, and box stands nearby. I could see remnants of corn litter, but the ones I checked personally had deer pellets in them. Being a first time guest, I was pretty quiet the first few nights, but once we all broke the seal, I setup late with some of the locals and after they had a few adult beverages, a few of the guys showed me their AR platform thermal setups that they used to hunt at night on these feeders. Nuisance animals were not the only game they were hunting. They told me they would get in the "deer stand" in middle of night based on what their cell camera was telling them. I had a great time, we ate some great steaks and I really enjoyed the invite and their company, but their definition of "hunting" and mine are totally different, for both turkeys and deer. I'm afraid this is where TN is headed with baiting.

Yeah, I can't speak for some but I have ZERO desire to "hunt" deer with a thermal. I wouldn't classify people who do as "hunters" either.

Hogs and yotes are a much different story though. It's some of the most fun I've had in a looonnng time.

 

[megalomaniac]

I turkey hunted MS in 2023 down around Lexington/Tchula.

The first time I went thru Tchula about 20 years ago, I realized there are parts of the US that are literally 3rd world. Lady sweeping her front yard with a broom, while 3 buck ass naked kids were running around playing.

But there are a decent number of birds once you go from the delta up into the hills towards Lexington

 

[7mm08]

Thankfully, MS takes this approach pertaining to wild hogs, skunks, foxes, coyotes, beavers, and nutria...

• "Landowners and any leaseholders may hunt nuisance animals year-round at any time of day or night with no weapon/caliber restrictions on property titled in their name or otherwise owned, or leased by them."

And we all thought MS was the dumbest state historically……. Sounds like they've got it going on! Good for them!! You buy the land, you pay taxes on it, therefore you should be able to remove nuisance animals 24/7 at YOUR discretion.

 

[swampbadger]

I turkey hunted MS in 2023 down around Lexington/Tchula. First thing I noticed on all properties I had access to was they were littered with feeders with cell cameras setup on them, and box stands nearby. I could see remnants of corn litter, but the ones I checked personally had deer pellets in them. Being a first time guest, I was pretty quiet the first few nights, but once we all broke the seal, I setup late with some of the locals and after they had a few adult beverages, a few of the guys showed me their AR platform thermal setups that they used to hunt at night on these feeders. Nuisance animals were not the only game they were hunting. They told me they would get in the "deer stand" in middle of night based on what their cell camera was telling them. I had a great time, we ate some great steaks and I really enjoyed the invite and their company, but their definition of "hunting" and mine are totally different, for both turkeys and deer. I'm afraid this is where TN is headed with baiting.

wow. not real sporty IMO. If it feels like cheating, it's probably cheating.

 

[Andy S.]

wow. not real sporty IMO. If it feels like cheating, it's probably cheating.

Agree 110%.