Did a lot of solo night hunting in the Ca high dez. Had some really great nights. Rattlesnakes are more a problem during the summer months when it's really hot during the day, the snakes are more active at night. Once it cools down they aren't much a problem at night. I don't care for that weather so I usually didn't call during those months. Besides, all you call in are little coyotes with hardly any fur. If you're only interested in body count, it can be a productive time to go.
I never have used thermal or NV, only spot lights. Truthfully, I was more wary of Owls than anything else at night, some areas you'd have them swooping you every stand. When using lights you need the sound right next to you to detect eye shine and truthfully I don't see a benefit to moving it away from you at night. I'd hunt right from my truck, no need to go walking off. During the day, anything that could cause you harm can easily sneak up on you but at night their eyes give them away quickly. One of the toughest things about coyote hunting at night solo is locating downed animals. I had a few things I did that helped locate but I'd imagine thermal would be great for that.
