P Dog Hunting in SD with a thermal scope

[Stugots]

I am in the process of selecting either a thermal scope (N-Vision HALO 50 LR) or just go with N-Visions Atlas 50 binocular. This will be a 3rd rifle (this build will be a 204 Ruger) and I have an extra NF 3.5-15x56 scope I can mount on it. FWIW, my other 2 builds are 26".223's with the same scope mounted.

I love the portability of a thermal binocular but have to consider a thermal sight mounted on this new build. (Another 26" heavy varmint barrel - with the thermal, NOT very portable...) Does anyone have experience with a thermal scope shooting P Dogs out in South Dakota? I'd like to hear about it. TIA Stu.

 

[remy3424]

I am thinking thermal vision was for low/no light situations...what are you wanting to do with the thermal rig? I am just thinking...why? How far away will these even work?

 

[Stugots]

I have been playing with my HALO LR for a few weeks now and have determined it really will not work on P. Dogs during the day. (Not nearly enough contrast). I do have 3 AR's (2 - .223's and a .204 Ruger) that I shoot dogs with out west so the thought of this new build (in 6.5 Grendel) was just a thought.

I have a friend from my H.S. days that lives down in Florida and owns approx. 320 acres heavily infested with hogs. Every other year I fly down for a week we try to put a small dent in the heard. (He has automatic broadcast feeders set up around the property and we go in and sit in 2 seater tree stands that give you a great view of the kill zone).
I will be shooting the Grendel/HALO LR rig when I start coyote hunting later this month.

Here are a few Pix of deer that wander around the back of my house out in the wetlands...

 

[zr600]

How far away are them deer?

 

[Stugots]

70 - 80 yards or so.

 

[skerk]

70 - 80 yards or so.

Curious what shooting ranges you get out of the HALO @ night?

 

[wyowinchester]

I'm curious on p-dogs at night.

 

[belldar]

prairie dogs at nite? Out here it's no sun no sod puppies Day or nite. I use thermals at nite for coyotes and have never noticed a prairie dog out After sundown. I have watched mice and small birds at nite with the thermal though. So if sod puppies did come out you may be able to get them shot.

 

[Stugots]

I'm going to restrict my P. Dog hunting to strictly daylight hours, but was curious as to what other experiences may have been. I will be mounting my HALO LR50 on a new 6.5 Grendel build which will be used for coyotes this winter here in Minnesota and hog hunting down in Florida at a friends ranch this coming February.