Two Grendel Thermal Coyotes
- Thread starter 6mm06
- Start date
6mm06
Well-known member
It’s been a work in progress for the last 12 years. It started out as an 8x12 Amish built storage building, placed on a 12x12 platform. That gave me a 4’ porch. I insulated and paneled it, have a thermostat controlled propane heater and Coleman type cook stove. I use DC lights since there is no electricity on that side of the farm.
For years I powered it (overhead lights, camera, monitor) with a DC battery pack but finally got around to solar. A 100 watt solar panel, 20 amp charge controller and 100 amp AMG battery supplies all my electrical needs including the 15” TV. The TV operates on either AC or DC.
I run a security camera with a quality 16mm lens that monitors the bait site. It is mounted at the cabin window 60 yards away and can see way further than that too. The camera is attached to a 7” monitor. I use two IR spotlights for illumination. One is a 940nm (pure stealth with no visible glow), and an 850nm that turns night into day when using the camera or digital night vision scope.
Of course, I use sensors (usually 4) at the bait. When the sensors go off I turn on the monitor and IR lights and can see what is there.
My rifle protrudes through a cut out thick piece of foam that covers the window. That keeps cold air out and prevents inside light from being seen from the outside. The shack can be lit up inside but appears black out from outside. I got the window foam idea from DannyK who was a regular visitor to the baiting thread. Have not seen Danny here for quite a while.
I started out in a popup blind and quickly realized that was not going to work. Cold, tired and cramped body saw to that. For this type of hunting (bait) you need to be able to settle down for the night, and have some comfort. I would say 99% of coyotes here come to the bait at night, and at any time during the night.
I built a bunk and elevated it a little higher than normal to keep out of the cooler air level that is lower to the floor. A regular mattress with a top layer of memory foam, comforter and 20 degree rated sleeping bag allows for a comfortable night.
Baiting has been productive for me and allowed me to stay in the game, despite losing some land to calling, and due to lower coyote numbers here. Even when no coyotes show up, it’s still rewarding to stay in the shack and enjoy some peace and solitude. The shack has allowed me to hunt in temps down to the lower teens and be comfortable all night.
My desire is to build a mobile hunting shack onto a pull behind trailer, which would allow me to hunt other areas, or to help neighbors who have coyote problems. Maybe one of these days that will happen.
For years I powered it (overhead lights, camera, monitor) with a DC battery pack but finally got around to solar. A 100 watt solar panel, 20 amp charge controller and 100 amp AMG battery supplies all my electrical needs including the 15” TV. The TV operates on either AC or DC.
I run a security camera with a quality 16mm lens that monitors the bait site. It is mounted at the cabin window 60 yards away and can see way further than that too. The camera is attached to a 7” monitor. I use two IR spotlights for illumination. One is a 940nm (pure stealth with no visible glow), and an 850nm that turns night into day when using the camera or digital night vision scope.
Of course, I use sensors (usually 4) at the bait. When the sensors go off I turn on the monitor and IR lights and can see what is there.
My rifle protrudes through a cut out thick piece of foam that covers the window. That keeps cold air out and prevents inside light from being seen from the outside. The shack can be lit up inside but appears black out from outside. I got the window foam idea from DannyK who was a regular visitor to the baiting thread. Have not seen Danny here for quite a while.
I started out in a popup blind and quickly realized that was not going to work. Cold, tired and cramped body saw to that. For this type of hunting (bait) you need to be able to settle down for the night, and have some comfort. I would say 99% of coyotes here come to the bait at night, and at any time during the night.
I built a bunk and elevated it a little higher than normal to keep out of the cooler air level that is lower to the floor. A regular mattress with a top layer of memory foam, comforter and 20 degree rated sleeping bag allows for a comfortable night.
Baiting has been productive for me and allowed me to stay in the game, despite losing some land to calling, and due to lower coyote numbers here. Even when no coyotes show up, it’s still rewarding to stay in the shack and enjoy some peace and solitude. The shack has allowed me to hunt in temps down to the lower teens and be comfortable all night.
My desire is to build a mobile hunting shack onto a pull behind trailer, which would allow me to hunt other areas, or to help neighbors who have coyote problems. Maybe one of these days that will happen.
Last edited:
Burnsome...
Well-known member
Quite an awesome setup 06 
6mm06
Well-known member
Softpoint, the 940nm light has 198 LED's, and I think the 850 does too, but unsure about it. The lights are available on Amazon and Ebay.
I mounted the 940 light on a tall 4x4 post that is 25 yards from the bait.
Battery box for 940 light.
850nm spotlight at cabin yard, 45 yards from the bait. This light is bright and does give off a red glow.
Remote control DC switch to turn the lights on and off.
I mounted the 940 light on a tall 4x4 post that is 25 yards from the bait.
Battery box for 940 light.
850nm spotlight at cabin yard, 45 yards from the bait. This light is bright and does give off a red glow.
Remote control DC switch to turn the lights on and off.
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6mm06
Well-known member
This is the beginning of the project. 8x12 building placed on a 12x12 platform.
View from Cabin door.
Inside the shack.
Here is the monitor at the window. The security camera and 16mm lens allows me to monitor what is at the bait.
The rifle and scope are protruding through the window foam, which keeps cold air out and light inside.
View from Cabin door.
Inside the shack.
Here is the monitor at the window. The security camera and 16mm lens allows me to monitor what is at the bait.
The rifle and scope are protruding through the window foam, which keeps cold air out and light inside.
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6mm06
Well-known member
As I mentioned earlier, this has been a work in progress over the last 12 years. The baiting forum has helped me a lot with ideas and discussions,
but most of the ideas are my own. I began powering overhead lights via a battery pack. I had to take it home every now and then to recharge.
I had wanted to do solar for some time but really didn't know exactly what I needed, so I joined a solar forum and drove
people crazy by asking a lot of questions. It was worth it.
100 watt solar panel on cabin porch. The outfit powers all my needs and is ready to go whenever I decide to hunt.
100 amp battery outside cabin, AGM type.
The shack is wired for DC with different types of outlets, such as AC type, 2.1mm CCTV type connections,
cigarette receptacles and USB. You can use any standard light fixture, just need to use DC bulbs.
This is the simple charge controller I started with. I have since upgraded to a much better one.
but most of the ideas are my own. I began powering overhead lights via a battery pack. I had to take it home every now and then to recharge.
I had wanted to do solar for some time but really didn't know exactly what I needed, so I joined a solar forum and drove
people crazy by asking a lot of questions. It was worth it.
100 watt solar panel on cabin porch. The outfit powers all my needs and is ready to go whenever I decide to hunt.
100 amp battery outside cabin, AGM type.
The shack is wired for DC with different types of outlets, such as AC type, 2.1mm CCTV type connections,
cigarette receptacles and USB. You can use any standard light fixture, just need to use DC bulbs.
This is the simple charge controller I started with. I have since upgraded to a much better one.
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6mm06
Well-known member
Here are a few of the results from all my labor and efforts. Started with an old Gen 1 night vision scope. Antiquated by
today's standards, heavy as an anvil, but I made it work. I graduated to a home-made night vision outfit that put the
Gen 1 to shame, then came digital and then thermal.
Home-made outfit on a CZ 527, .17 Remington. Pure death on coyotes.
Ruger American Predator, 6mm Remington and ATN 4k Pro digital scope.
[
.308 Bergara and ATN 4k Pro.
I have had a great time at the shack over the last 12 years. I have learned a lot from the forums and still in learning process.
I don't claim to know a lot about coyote hunting, and many of you guys kill far more than I have or ever will. But, to me
the involvement, experiments with equipment, excitement and anticipation as well as solitude is what it's about even
more than killing a coyote. I hope I have maybe helped someone with ideas here as others have helped me. If nothing
else maybe you have found some entertainment with it. Regards to all.
today's standards, heavy as an anvil, but I made it work. I graduated to a home-made night vision outfit that put the
Gen 1 to shame, then came digital and then thermal.
Home-made outfit on a CZ 527, .17 Remington. Pure death on coyotes.
Ruger American Predator, 6mm Remington and ATN 4k Pro digital scope.
[
.308 Bergara and ATN 4k Pro.
I have had a great time at the shack over the last 12 years. I have learned a lot from the forums and still in learning process.
I don't claim to know a lot about coyote hunting, and many of you guys kill far more than I have or ever will. But, to me
the involvement, experiments with equipment, excitement and anticipation as well as solitude is what it's about even
more than killing a coyote. I hope I have maybe helped someone with ideas here as others have helped me. If nothing
else maybe you have found some entertainment with it. Regards to all.
Smackerquacker
Member
That’s very nice.
Softpoint
Active member
Really good stuff!Here are a few of the results from all my labor and efforts. Started with an old Gen 1 night vision scope. Antiquated by
today's standards, heavy as an anvil, but I made it work. I graduated to a home-made night vision outfit that put the
Gen 1 to shame, then came digital and then thermal.
Home-made outfit on a CZ 527, .17 Remington. Pure death on coyotes.
Ruger American Predator, 6mm Remington and ATN 4k Pro digital scope.
[
.308 Bergara and ATN 4k Pro.
I have had a great time at the shack over the last 12 years. I have learned a lot from the forums and still in learning process.
I don't claim to know a lot about coyote hunting, and many of you guys kill far more than I have or ever will. But, to me
the involvement, experiments with equipment, excitement and anticipation as well as solitude is what it's about even
more than killing a coyote. I hope I have maybe helped someone with ideas here as others have helped me. If nothing
else maybe you have found some entertainment with it. Regards to all.