IR Illuminator

S

shirefisher

Member
Would these be defined as "artificial light" in a state where night hunting is allowed but artifical light is not allowed to hunt with. Unsure how these work even after reading about them...
 
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I am not sure what scope or system you are referring to but many night vision products use IR to allow better vision at low light or no light. In ND, we are not allowed to use any artificial light or night vision. IR would kind of fall into both as it it is a type of artificial light, allowing many various night vision technologies to function. I am by no means an expert in this area, and I may not have understood the question but I believe it would be artificial light.
 
How does the IR Illuminator work? I guess I don't get how it works. If you are flashing a flashlight that is seeable to the naked eye then it's not legal. Or does a IR illumintor just intestify the IR scope view?
 
I have had some experience with IR in military and security careers and also shooting sports. It is not visibly seen by naked eye of humans.
IR is a laser type Illuminator that enhances the scope or camera vision with little or no light at night.
It is called "Infra Red" because most of the light sources are of red nature when you look at them. Some systems look like red beam dots, others like red squares together.
Some really powerful ones can in fact endanger peoples eyes if directly looked into or if the operator zooms/focuses the IR beam to that of sharp dot to Illuminate an object.
It does intensify the scope focus almost to that of thermal image night vision, but not quite as good.
Like the police helicopters use FLIR-Forward Looking Infra Red systems, you can dial in a heat source or object at very long distances.

Hope this helps Shirefisher

Wayne
 
Thanx I believe that makes scence and I'm convinced it should be legal in my state as it would not fall under the defintion of "spotting" as you can't see the light spotting w/o a ir scope.
 
Just because it isn't seen with a human eye doesn't mean it isn't an artificial light. I would definitely call it an artificial light. It will not help you if you aren't using an IR device anyway, so it aids the hunter in low light just as a light would. I would call your state's game and fish or local warden to make sure before using or buying it.
 
Originally Posted By: shirefisherThanx I believe that makes scence and I'm convinced it should be legal in my state as it would not fall under the defintion of "spotting" as you can't see the light spotting w/o a ir scope.
Here is a summary of the night hunting regulations in Vermont:

Night Hunting: Allowed, raccoons, skunks and coyote can be hunted at any hour. Use of artificial lights is prohibited except when hunting for raccoon or skunks with dogs.
Night Vision: Allowed, not listed as a prohibited device per the 2011 VT Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Guide. Verified by the VT DNR
Website: www.vtfishandwildlife.com
Phone: 802-241-3700

Some states do consider use of IR in combination with night vision as "artificial light". I suggest you contact DNR and ask them the question specifically. The IR beam of light cannot be detected by humans or predators, however, the source of the IR can be seen quite easily and often does spook predators. Normally this does not happen until they are easily within gun (rifle) range.
 
Thanx y'all for your replies, I'll have to call the Vt Fish and Wildlife for confirmation. It seems that it would not be defined as "spotting" with an IR Illuminator but as most issues with laws and very limited information in the statues it comes down to interpretation and every Warden may have a different opinion...
 
Originally Posted By: KirschJust because it isn't seen with a human eye doesn't mean it isn't an artificial light. I would definitely call it an artificial light. It will not help you if you aren't using an IR device anyway, so it aids the hunter in low light just as a light would. I would call your state's game and fish or local warden to make sure before using or buying it.


+1 on that...You can never be too sure. I would call them.
 


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