For some, hunting is merely a sport while for others it is a matter of life and death – they need to catch game to feed themselves and their families.
Irrespective of what hunting means to the hunter, there are several must-have toolsthat every hunter needs to carry around for a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.
Topping the list of tools every hunter needs is the thermal scope or simply called a thermal imaging camera. This tool was designed for the military, but it has found a place in hunting.
I am sure you will want to find out why the thermal scope is a must-have tool for every hunter and what its special features are and how to use them. Well, continue reading and you will be glad you did.
What are thermal imaging cameras?
They may go by different names, some call them thermographic weapon sights, others call them thermal imagery scopes or simply thermal scopes.
Thermal scopes are mountable compact devices that include a camera or a capturing unit paired with an aiming reticle for viewing the object in sight.
They are mostly found on rifles or other weapons, or they can be attached to weapons as a clip-in appendage to aid the shooter /aimer to effectively see the target they want, especially when the area is dark.Hunters use them to aid in the detection of games, such as rats, coyotes, foxes, hogs, and others.
How it works
A thermal scope has lenses that focus the heat emitted from a target in view. These are then scanned by an infrared detector that transmits the recorded pattern as pictures.Remember the predator movie series, that’s what a thermal image looks like.
Features of thermal scopes
Although the features of these devices can vary depending on the manufacturer and the model, most thermal imaging devices have similar features.
Cameras for thermal imaging for hunting include two lenses with one for viewing and the other for observation or capturing the image of the target.
They usually have a portion underneath the device for attachment to the weapon, they have calibrations on their bodies, and they may have SD cards for recording the image (s) captured.
Advantages of using a thermal imaging device for hunting
Hunting doesn’t only require lots of skill, and effort, it also involves time. In most cases, hunting operations that began early in the day may continue into the night, but most importantly, hunters have discovered that nighttime is the best time for hunting because of the shield of darkness.
With your thermal device, you need not worry about missing your target because the camera shows the heat map of the target. With thermal imaging devices, a hunter can differentiate between a predator and an animal that isn’t.
Moreover, with thermal imaging devices, hunters have been able to protect themselves as it aids in scanning the area for potential animals like bears who can lurk and attack the hunter.
With these devices, a hunter can always locate a wounded or escaped animal with minimal effort.
New Trends to watch out for
For a long time, thermal imaging devices have been designed as standalone or clip-in devices that have two holes at either end of a pipe.
Today, they come with infrared enabled cameras and SD cards.
Others come with wireless connections and functions which help them transmit the pictures for cloud storage.
Other uses
There are other uses of a thermal imaging device apart from hunting.They are also used for electrical purposes, especially in places that have differences in temperature.
Conclusion
In simple terms, these devices are cheap, handy and easy to use. They alsoprotect the hunter as well as the innocent prey from being killed by the unsuspecting hunter.
So, what is not to love about thermal imaging cameras.No wonder hunters cannot do without them.