Baiting

I got one in my driveway this evening. I dumped turkey scraps out there about a week ago. Haven't seen or heard any coyotes in the area for about a month and a half. Tonight a coyote walked through the driveway and stopped to sniff around where the turkey scraps were, 1 shot in the boiler from the .223 CZ 527 dropped it in its tracks.

I'd post a photo but I can't remember how to do that on here.
 
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ct, congratulations on the turkey scrap coyote.

Scalloper, while I don't use Digital Night Vision for night hunting anymore, you can overcome the IR whiteout by placing a separate IR light where it will illuminate your shooting area. I have been using a 198 led light by CM vision since 2016. It has run continuously at night for 6 years. I have mine mounted at the eves on the the back of my shop. It would illuminate your entire 70 yd. shooting lane and will run off 110AC or 12V DC.

https://www.amazon.com/CMVision-IR130-198-Outdoor-300-400ft-Illuminator/dp/B004F9LF7E/
 
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Scalloper, the light that DoubleUp mentioned is a good one. I actually have two of these. One is a 940nm and the other is an 850. I operate both via 12 volt battery and a remote control on / off switch (cheap on Ebay and Amazon). I don’t have electricity at the shack so rely on DC power.

The 940nm is mounted on a tall 4x4 post that is about 30 yards from the bait site. It is total stealth and has no glow at all that I can see. I use it to determine what is at the bait site when the sensor alarms, and without risking a coyote seeing a glow. It actually provides enough light for shooting, but I like brighter for getting good video.

The 850nm is mounted on a post in the cabin yard and is 45 yards from the bait. Below is a video showing the use of the 940 first to see what’s at the bait, and then I deploy the 850 for shooting.



Since the lights can operate via 12 volt DC, you can place them closer to the bait and turn them on and off remotely. That would allow you to still have good light as far away as the remote would be able to work. I have tested my remote at 135 yards and it worked fine.

Using a system like this eliminates the white-out effect with digital scopes.

Another example:





 
Photo attempt:

**updated with another attempt. Looks like it will work now. I used flickr. Thanks baitpile.

52608266683_1cac549307_m.jpg
 
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CT, doesn't look like it copied to the post. I copied the URL into the address bar and was able to view it. I use flickr as a photo hosting site for this forum.
 
Hey 06, how do you like your Rattler TS25 thermal? Your latest videos have been with NV instead of thermal. Are you deciding you prefer the nightvision? Or just mixing things up?

I'm starting to plan my entrance into the thermal rabbit hole....Looking at AGM Rattler TS 25/35. 384, 640. AGM Adder, AGM Varmint, Bering Super Hogster/Yoter, Pulsar Thermion XP50, etc. I don't want to spend more than I have to, but I also don't want to spend a lot, and be disappointed and wish I had spent a little more....I will be saving for a while no matter which option I go with.

I did recently purchase a Odepro KL52 IR illuminator (seen on the photo above). It was a big upgrade from my T-20 IR illuminator I was previously using. I was very impressed.

I also recently purchased a Sniper Hog Lights Coyote cannon (80mm? light) with both White and IR bulbs. It boasts an IR range of 2500 yds. It is very impressive, but also very heavy (3lbs).

The new IR illuminators have made a big improvement on the digital nightvision that i'm currently using, but there are still times that I think thermal would sure be nice.
 

CT, I really like the Rattler 25. Even though it only has a 1.5x magnification, I had no problem killing coyotes up to 90 yards, which was the furthest distance I shot. Most of my shots at the bait are 60-75 yards. The scope does have PIP but I haven’t used it. It has onboard recording but no audio. I edit in a rifle shot for realism.

The scope is small and that’s the main reason I got it (and the price), thinking it could do double duty as scanner and rifle scope. I mounted it on my 6x45 AR for testing. It held zero really well and I shot maybe 5 coyotes with it. Liked it so much on the rifle that I can’t bear to remove it.








 
06, thanks for the feedback.

I'm trying to think through all the scenarios I will want to use the thermal.

I shoot rats with air rifles (walking around, scanning, most shots are 5-20 yds). Thermal could be nice for this.

I shoot coyotes and racoons on bait sites at my house. My IR nightvision works great for this, but thermal could be fun to try as well. I also get deer, bear, and neighbor dogs and cats walking through. So i need to be able to positively ID my target. Thermal (especially cheaper ones) may struggle with differentiating animals.

I make stands and call coyotes on public land, or on private land to help people with predator management. Places I make stands are sometimes on a logging road in thick timber, or edges of fields, or wide open sage-brush country. I think thermal would be most helpful for these situations.
 

CT, apparently we enjoy similar things. When I first got a thermal scope (Pulsar Apex XQ38) I mounted it on my Ruger 10/22 to practice and get used to it. One evening my wife came running in to tell me there was a big rat at the chicken coop. I sighted the scope for about 10-15 yards and went rat hunting. There were more rats than one so I spent a few nights getting rid of them.




 
nice rat hunting. That's cool. Thanks for sharing that link. I've watched many of your videos but apparently missed that one.

I haven't been recording my rat and coyote shots recently. I set up DIY DVR's for my nightvision scopes, but it is just one more thing to mess with in the dark. I get a lot of false alarms with deer and neighbor cats. I got tired of messing with so many things just to get ready to take a shot. I might try to start recording again soon. I do enjoy going back and watching the shots.

I wish I had a recording of last night's coyote. It was a good shot.
 
A little action last night folks, finally!!
130 yd site, 6x45 with 65 vmax. About a half dollar sized hole, in what I now believe was the entrance hole. Must have hit a rib, and saw no exit. Hit was just a tad low, ran about 60-70 yds spraying blood and piled up. Young female. AGM Rattler 35.

https://vimeo.com/786607346

010423 by jrhranch, on Flickr
 
CT,
I started with a Hogster R35. Things went south fast, many frustrations!! Went to AGM and have enjoyed life. The video above is with my Rattler at 130 yds. Rattler 35-384.
bait
 
Originally Posted By: coyote_thumperHey 06, how do you like your Rattler TS25 thermal? Your latest videos have been with NV instead of thermal. Are you deciding you prefer the nightvision? Or just mixing things up?

I'm starting to plan my entrance into the thermal rabbit hole....Looking at AGM Rattler TS 25/35. 384, 640. AGM Adder, AGM Varmint, Bering Super Hogster/Yoter, Pulsar Thermion XP50, etc. I don't want to spend more than I have to, but I also don't want to spend a lot, and be disappointed and wish I had spent a little more....I will be saving for a while no matter which option I go with.
I sent you a PM.
I did recently purchase a Odepro KL52 IR illuminator (seen on the photo above). It was a big upgrade from my T-20 IR illuminator I was previously using. I was very impressed.

I also recently purchased a Sniper Hog Lights Coyote cannon (80mm? light) with both White and IR bulbs. It boasts an IR range of 2500 yds. It is very impressive, but also very heavy (3lbs).

The new IR illuminators have made a big improvement on the digital nightvision that i'm currently using, but there are still times that I think thermal would sure be nice.
 
BP: thanks for the input. I'm currently leaning towards AGM Adder TS35-384. But will see if that's still my choice when I have the funds saved up.

BP: Nice video. I'm a little jealous of the 6x45. I've considered one for a long time. I love my .223. A relative built a couple .20 practicals (.223 necked down to .204). I've always been intrigued by the 6x45 though. I've thought about building a barrel in that caliber for my CZ 527 if the current .223 barrel ever fails.
 
CT, I don't think you could go wrong with the Adder, presuming it's going on a bolt gun. I've just had good luck with AGM so far, very satisfied.
The 6x45...spectacular caliber. I built mine in an AR platform 18" barrel and have had greatluck with it. So much so, I'm looking at doing a bolt gun in it as well. Easy to load for and very accurate. I believe there are a couple in this thread that run the 6x45🙂🙂.
 
Good job Bait. I agree with your assessment of the Rattler. Mine has been great so far. As well, I too love my 6x45. Mine is a 20” Dtech. Mike at Dtech did a fine job on it. It’s very accurate, and is easy to load for.

CT and Erie, looks like I overlooked a question you had, CT about whether I have gone back to digital. No, I just like mixing it up. Seems that I get bored easily using the same thing over and over. I love thermal, but also really like a good digital scope. They both have their place.

Since I began bait hunting coyotes back in 2011, I have used the 6x45, .17 Remington, 6mm Remington and now .308. Next up will be a .223 Wylde upper. I have used 4 different digital scopes, a home-made night vision outfit, a Gen 1 and Gen 2 scope, and two thermals. Life is interesting that way.
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleUpct, congratulations on the turkey scrap coyote.

Scalloper, while I don't use Digital Night Vision for night hunting anymore, you can overcome the IR whiteout by placing a separate IR light where it will illuminate your shooting area. I have been using a 198 led light by CM vision since 2016. It has run continuously at night for 6 years. I have mine mounted at the eves on the the back of my shop. It would illuminate your entire 70 yd. shooting lane and will run off 110AC or 12V DC.

https://www.amazon.com/CMVision-IR130-198-Outdoor-300-400ft-Illuminator/dp/B004F9LF7E/
This may be the ticket for baiting here at the lake where I live. The coyotes check the areas we ice fish almost every night. Looking for baitfish we toss out. My home is only 15' from the lake and I can see 3 miles one way and to the left I can see 800 yds with the whole shore in conservation and no camps/houses so its a good backstop shooting that direction. I could place some bait at 125-140 yds out and maybe that light would help lite the area.
 
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