Big Cat!

Not quite sure on budget range just yet. As a starter, would you recommend a thermal monocular then once identifying with that I use my predator tactics coyote reaper red light that is mounted to my scope to shoot? Or, go right with a Thermal scope? As I look at my hunting surrounding more and more, I would need something that can give me some sight through brush thus Thermal might be better. However, my current coyote reaper picks up eyes from 400 yards not that I generally have that much area to work with but it does. How far does thermal pick up an animal> I would like at least 200 yards. Any particular one out there that fits that model?

Thanks for the feedback......I figure thermal better than NV.

Hoping for some good feedback on Night Vision or Thermal scopes. I am considering purchasing either a night vision scope or thermal and am wondering if anyone has had experience with one or both. I hunt predators in the Southern tier of NY where I have fields, brush and woods. In reading briefly about both, it seems night vision scopes like the ATN X sight 4k Pro day/night scope will illuminate eyes out to 150 only unless you purchase their infrared illuminator that attaches and will give you an additional 100-200 yards of illumination. I also read and watched a few videos where heavy brush and tree branches hinder night vision where you might not see through to identify that there is a predator lurking. Whereas, with Thermal (ATN Thor LT 320 3 - 6x ) will provide more distance to pick up a predator so won't need to buy the off-market illuminator. Thermal seems to be able to see through brush at least for you to know a predator is there. I am on the fence to be honest as to which one would be better for the landscape of NY. I do hunt black dirt fields also which can be very big but majority of hunting is within fields 150-300 yards wide that have field edges with brush and trees leading into woods. In one of the videos it showed that night vision scopes will display the predator more clearly within the appropriate range. Any recommendations or feedback is appreciated. I currently use a Night Eyes Headlamp to scan or my fox pro hand scanner and a predator tactics coyote reaper scope light. I am not sure how far out a night vision scope will pick up a predator vs thermal. Thanks

Thanks and good luck!

Yes! have have the fox jack decoy. I do have a life size coyote decoy and just ordered the Montana song dog which is a fold up type. I never used them yet. On that note, have you or anyone you know ever used a coyote decoy? If so, what is a good set up? Put in middle of field or place on the field edge?

I seem to think that what happened to your friend is indeed happening to me. The last 3x that I went to the stand, when I walked out which you can hear me crunching on the gravel road the coyote / pair went right to my trail cam area which is where I look when sitting. I dug a hole and spray both fox urine and coyote urine near it and I get the coyotes going through to check it out nearly every day. Maybe I will walk out and try and sneak back in through the back side.

OK will try that. I never used the challenge vocal but heck, it is worth the try.

I don't think so. I try to have wind in my face or crosswind.

Fields. I sit across the field looking into the thick wood patch which is approximately 150 yards across from me. I get the responses from inside the wood patch but they don't commit.

Looking for some tips on getting the coyotes to commit. As the breeding season is upon us, I have started the calls off (using foxpro's coyote vocals) lone howl or coyote pair followed by a bird or rabbit distress. I then wait a good 15 minutes then follow up again with coyote vocals. I have gotten responses which seem very close (within 300-500 yards) but they are not committing. So to add to insult, when I leave stand they appear on my cam within the hour. I predominantly night hunt and use the Night Eyes red headlamp to scan. In the past week I have had responses at every stand but no commitment. Any suggestions would be great as I am a bit frustrated now.