GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: customcutter on November 24, 2022, 04:02:02 PM
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I went out Monday night to see if I could hear or spot any coyotes with my thermal. As soon as I stepped outside, I heard 2 different packs of coyotes north of the house. The terrain is rolling, and there are 2 streams within 300yds of the house running east to west. The coyotes were close, probably 2-300yds at most and sounded like they were just over the rise between the 2 streams. I stayed out for about 30-45 minutes and never spotted the coyotes. They were just south of a group of cows in the north pasture that have been dropping calves for a few weeks.
East of the house about 2-300yds I spotted 3 deer feeding on acorns under a small oak tree. The strange thing is that this tree is at least 300+yds from any other trees or fence line with any cover. There were 2 other deer feeding along the fence line another 300+yds further east and back behind some old chicken houses and a new hay barn.
The only other critters I saw were an opossum that was feeding on table scraps from supper, and there was another opossum foraging along the rise between the two creeks north of the house.
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I went out again on Tuesday night with the thermal trying to see or pattern the coyotes. I saw the opossum on the rise between the creeks again. Northwest of the house and probably 600yds away there were 3 deer feeding under another small oak tree in a different pasture. Same situation, they are probably at least 2-300 yds from the fence line and the woods on the other side.
I checked the south side of the house and there were 4 deer in the pastures on the other side of the road. 2 southwest about 400 yds away, and a doe and yearling just south of the house and just inside the fence on the other side of the road about 100 yds away.
I went to the east side of the house, and the same 3 deer were feeding under the lone oak tree again. This time there were 3 deer back behind the barns feeding on the grass, and they slowly fed toward the deer under the tree. The 3 deer under the tree started feeding toward the deer coming from the barn area. I don't know if they had eaten all of the acorns, or if maybe they were trying to protect a food source by going to the other deer. ???
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Ken, nice description. I can envision your property, modified by my own experience. It sounds very nice.
It's amazing the things you can see with a thermal viewer. You can see the heat leaves out of the house, how much diesel or propane is in the tank, and oh yeah critters, lots of creatures.
Hunter
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Ken, nice description. I can envision your property, modified by my own experience. It sounds very nice.
It's amazing the things you can see with a thermal viewer. You can see the heat leaves out of the house, how much diesel or propane is in the tank, and oh yeah critters, lots of creatures.
Hunter
Thanks, we are visiting the In-laws for a few days, and yes they have a very nice piece of property. It has 4 or 5 creeks and 7 nice ponds on it with lots of critters. I use to hunt turkeys, but they've had a rough go for the last 3-4 years and the flocks have been declining. I'm going to try and work on the coyotes, raccoons, armadillo's, and a few opossums that aren't right around the house. These do are doing a cleanup service for table scraps so I'll leave them alone. Ma and Pa like to watch the critters. We just had over 20 dove land and feed on the sunflower seeds my wife put out yesterday while we were having supper.
Yes, thermals are amazing as far as how much detail you can actually see if they are adjusted properly. I can easily see tree, telephone poles, fence posts, and barb wire. Cars passing on the road actually look colder when they are approaching, it's not until they are even or past you that you pick up a heat signature off of them mostly the tires from the friction of the road.
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Ken, that Zeus Thermal sounds amazing and with a very clear view! Just need the yotes to get into the line of sight, will happen! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁!
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Ken, that Zeus Thermal sounds amazing and with a very clear view! Just need the yotes to get into the line of sight, will happen! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁!
Thanks Randall. Right now, it's handheld. It's on a QD mount so easily remounted. Don't want any confusion that LEO might think I'm hunting with it at night. ;D
I was just amazed that the deer are going several hundred yards from the wood line out into a bare hay field to feed on a few acorns. The third night those 3 deer just layed down in the hay field that was cut and baled a month ago. I guess they felt more secure and can see 300 yds or more for any approaching danger.
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I went out last night about 30 minutes after dark. My wife happened to call just as I was stepping out the back door and my phone rang. By the time I got off the phone with her, the 3 deer east of the house were walking feeding across a dam on the west end of a large pond north of where they have been feeding. I think the phone ringing probably alarmed them.
The 3 deer northwest of the house were back out but feeding along the fence line.
The opossum was down near the creek, and for some reason it climbed up a tree on the edge of the weed line. I watched for another 5-10 minutes thinking maybe there was a coyote trailing it, but never saw anything. Finally the battery died after 4 nights of observation. I have an extended battery pack that takes 2 18650 batteries and it probably lasted 4 hours or more total. I would hate to buy the disposable CR123 batteries for it. :o
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Friday night and I went out again. It was foggy till noon, then a light mist turning to rain the rest of the day with temps dropping. Supposed to be 70% chance of rain the next two days and lower temps.
I could barely see anything tonight due to everything being soaked and cooled off by the rain and low temps. I couldn't even see the fence post tonight. I could barely make out the trunks of large trees that normally glow almost as hot as animals. The one opossum was still up in the small tree near the creek, I could barely make him out, and if I didn't know he was in a tree I don't know if I would have seen the tree at all. While I was watching it the other opossum showed up on the fence line and started feeding toward me to check for scraps.
After watching it I think it's a female with little ones. Every once in a while, I get a hot spot in an odd place, and she waddles when she walks. Nothing else was visible north of the house except the cows 5-600 yds up in the north pasture that isn't mowed.
There was nothing west of the house, and I could barely make out something moving near the hay barn over on the south side of the road. I think it was probably a raccoon that was soaked to the bone. I could see a rabbit on the side of the road and apparently, he had stayed dry because he was white hot.
There were no deer east of the house tonight. They must have been able to feed most of the day due to the fog, or they decided they would conserve energy and stay in tonight.
I decided to check the north side again, and there was a hot spot 5-600 yds north of the house and about 300yds west of the cows. There was nothing in the area earlier when I first came out. I was thinking it might be a lone coyote watching the cows. I couldn't tell if it was facing toward me or away, but it had it's head down like it was either feeding or eating something. It kept it's head down for the next 10-15 minutes. I decided to try calling on a rabbit distress call to see if I could get its attention. Nothing, nada, zip. Either it couldn't hear me, or it wasn't interested. I decided to keep watching hoping I could see it broadside and try to determine what it was. Finally, it turned broadside and lifted it's head. I could see it had a shorter neck in relationship to it's body and that I was only seeing the upper half of it's body due to all the weeds and dog fennels. It was a cow that appeared to be licking a newborn calf. For those who don't know, cattle will leave the herd and go off by themselves to give birth. She had been eating the afterbirth and licking the calf to dry it off and clean it up.
I wasn't ever able to see the calf because of the high weeds, but I'm 95% positive that was what happened.
Amazing how difficult it was to see normally visible terrain, trees, etc due to the rain.
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Ken, that Zeus Thermal sounds amazing and with a very clear view! Just need the yotes to get into the line of sight, will happen! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁!
Thanks Randall. Right now, it's handheld. It's on a QD mount so easily remounted. Don't want any confusion that LEO might think I'm hunting with it at night. ;D
I was just amazed that the deer are going several hundred yards from the wood line out into a bare hay field to feed on a few acorns. The third night those 3 deer just layed down in the hay field that was cut and baled a month ago. I guess they felt more secure and can see 300 yds or more for any approaching danger.
Welcome Ken! Yeah, it is not normal for deer to be out in the open like that! They must have known something we didn't...LOL! By the way, was up at a friends place last week (he lives up in the mountains) I left his place @ 7:15am (to miss Los Angeles traffic, still caught some 😢) driving down the hill amd there were a group of 5 deer on the left feeding then I looked up and 30yds in the middle of the road back lit by the rising sun was a HUGE BULL ELK....could see the steam from his mouth. I stopped about 20yds away and watched, he stood there for a few seconds then slowly sauntered off to the right, National Geo stuff! Ha!
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Ken, that Zeus Thermal sounds amazing and with a very clear view! Just need the yotes to get into the line of sight, will happen! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁!
Thanks Randall. Right now, it's handheld. It's on a QD mount so easily remounted. Don't want any confusion that LEO might think I'm hunting with it at night. ;D
I was just amazed that the deer are going several hundred yards from the wood line out into a bare hay field to feed on a few acorns. The third night those 3 deer just layed down in the hay field that was cut and baled a month ago. I guess they felt more secure and can see 300 yds or more for any approaching danger.
Welcome Ken! Yeah, it is not normal for deer to be out in the open like that! They must have known something we didn't...LOL! By the way, was up at a friends place last week (he lives up in the mountains) I left his place @ 7:15am (to miss Los Angeles traffic, still caught some 😢) driving down the hill amd there were a group of 5 deer on the left feeding then I looked up and 30yds in the middle of the road back lit by the rising sun was a HUGE BULL ELK....could see the steam from his mouth. I stopped about 20yds away and watched, he stood there for a few seconds then slowly sauntered off to the right, National Geo stuff! Ha!
Wow! Definitely a National Geographic Moment!
I had wanted to hunt elk my whole life, and finally got the chance a few years ago. I planned on staying for the whole archery season, but had to return home after only a week. I thought it was elevation sickness, I was at 11,000 ft vs sea level. It got worse after I got home. I thought maybe it was due to the wildfires in California, as I was in Colorado and it was hazy most days. It continued to get worse, just a dry hacking cough, and I couldn't do anything. It went on for 2 years, I told multiple Doctors/Nurses about it.
If the A/C wasn't on 72*, or if I went outside and tried to do anything I sounded like a 5 pack a day smoker. I would cough for 30-45 minutes or longer, even pulled muscles in my ribs. I became a couch potato and I wound up gaining almost 70#'s in 2 years.
Turned out it was Lisinopril a blood pressure medication the Dr's started me on just before I went out to Colorado. I finally looked up the side effects of all my medications and found it. I stopped taking it and 7 days later my cough stopped. I've lost 40#'s and trying to become active again, it's been a struggle, but finally getting better.
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Ken, that Zeus Thermal sounds amazing and with a very clear view! Just need the yotes to get into the line of sight, will happen! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁!
Thanks Randall. Right now, it's handheld. It's on a QD mount so easily remounted. Don't want any confusion that LEO might think I'm hunting with it at night. ;D
I was just amazed that the deer are going several hundred yards from the wood line out into a bare hay field to feed on a few acorns. The third night those 3 deer just layed down in the hay field that was cut and baled a month ago. I guess they felt more secure and can see 300 yds or more for any approaching danger.
Welcome Ken! Yeah, it is not normal for deer to be out in the open like that! They must have known something we didn't...LOL! By the way, was up at a friends place last week (he lives up in the mountains) I left his place @ 7:15am (to miss Los Angeles traffic, still caught some 😢) driving down the hill amd there were a group of 5 deer on the left feeding then I looked up and 30yds in the middle of the road back lit by the rising sun was a HUGE BULL ELK....could see the steam from his mouth. I stopped about 20yds away and watched, he stood there for a few seconds then slowly sauntered off to the right, National Geo stuff! Ha!
Wow! Definitely a National Geographic Moment!
I had wanted to hunt elk my whole life, and finally got the chance a few years ago. I planned on staying for the whole archery season, but had to return home after only a week. I thought it was elevation sickness, I was at 11,000 ft vs sea level. It got worse after I got home. I thought maybe it was due to the wildfires in California, as I was in Colorado and it was hazy most days. It continued to get worse, just a dry hacking cough, and I couldn't do anything. It went on for 2 years, I told multiple Doctors/Nurses about it.
If the A/C wasn't on 72*, or if I went outside and tried to do anything I sounded like a 5 pack a day smoker. I would cough for 30-45 minutes or longer, even pulled muscles in my ribs. I became a couch potato and I wound up gaining almost 70#'s in 2 years.
Turned out it was Lisinopril a blood pressure medication the Dr's started me on just before I went out to Colorado. I finally looked up the side effects of all my medications and found it. I stopped taking it and 7 days later my cough stopped. I've lost 40#'s and trying to become active again, it's been a struggle, but finally getting better.
Definitely a Nat Geo moment! Dang....you were on the elk trip when the side effects hit you for 2 YEARS! gracious! I am so glad you are on the mend, lost pounds. My wife is an RN and she ALWAYS looks up med side effects and issues with meds interacting with other meds...it's mind boggling there are so many different meds and side effects. I am lucky so far that I only take 10mg of a statin for cholesterol but one of the side effects is cramping.....only in my right thigh...LOL! Keep up the healthy eating and exercise! I started riding my mountain bike because my feet started swelling when reclining on the lazy boy...after a few weeks of riding no more swelling! We need to stay active especially as we AGE (hopefully gracefully)....LOL! Happy for you!
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Ken,
I didn't want to comment, but I see that you hijacked your own thread, so here goes.
I had the same nagging cough after taking lisinopril for a couple of years. I told my doctor during my annual exam, he said "That's a common side effect of lisinopril.".
He prescribed a different medication. I have lost weight, and no longer take any meds.
Randall,
I kept notes about everything for one year, anything at all. I walked every day. I found that if I take vitamin B complex every day, after a week or so the cramps subside.
Thermal:
Yeah, most cows try to find a hiding place to calve, but some will drop in the middle of the herd.
Nature is amazing!
Hunter
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Ken,
I didn't want to comment, but I see that you hijacked your own thread, so here goes.
I had the same nagging cough after taking lisinopril for a couple of years. I told my doctor during my annual exam, he said "That's a common side effect of lisinopril.".
He prescribed a different medication. I have lost weight, and no longer take any meds.
Randall,
I kept notes about everything for one year, anything at all. I walked every day. I found that if I take vitamin B complex every day, after a week or so the cramps subside.
Thermal:
Yeah, most cows try to find a hiding place to calve, but some will drop in the middle of the herd.
Nature is amazing!
Hunter
Hunter! Thank you very much for the B-complex solution! My hero! I will give them a try 👍 Boy....why does it seem us airgunners have the same age related issues....LOL! And, what's funny is like when you walk you got cramps...after I golf I get it, in my right thigh only! Ha!
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No problem hijacking a thread IMO if it spreads information. I've had lots of drug side effects, unfortunately so I try to watch all my meds closely now. The first one was statins in my 30's, it got so bad I couldn't climb the stairs at work, after taking them for about 3 months. I've got about a dozen listed on my drug allergies list.
I think getting back into airguns was the best thing I've done health wise. Got me motivated to start doing more, trying to lose weight, and getting outdoors again. I think I walked a mile this morning checking targets every 5 yds out to 100, then trying for the NUAH club for 5-6 targets. LOL
Yotes better look out when my e-call arrives. :o
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Randall, you are welcome!
I verified this by taking B complex for a week or two. The cramps stopped. I actually tried several supplements, this one worked for cramps. I then stopped taking the B complex and after about a week the cramps returned.
I resumed the B complex and the cramps again stopped.
I also had some joint pain. I did the same verification to find that Glucosamine chondroiton helped.
It's amazing that you can see over time, that you will not notice day by day.
Hunter
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Ken,
I was happy that the thread was open for comment, as I really wanted to share my experiences. Thank you for the opportunity!
Yes, keep those coyotes in check. They have given both of my brothers a hard time raising farm animals. Cats, Dogs, goats, newborn calves.
I guess that nature put them here for a reason, but if they take your pets and livestock, well "chute em!"
Hunter
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Thank you both Ken and Hunter! Yes....exercise definitely helps and getting healthy enough to be able to exercise is so important or no go....thank you both and we need to keep moving the troops forward! HA! Ken, put a hurtin on some yotes!
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Of the many pieces of tech gear I own, I get the greatest joy from using my thermal gear! Maybe because I know intimately how the other gear works, but I know much less about thermal detection.
Glad you find as much wonder as I do with the little things around us, that thermal amplifies 1000 times over!
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Of the many pieces of tech gear I own, I get the greatest joy from using my thermal gear! Maybe because I know intimately how the other gear works, but I know much less about thermal detection.
Glad you find as much wonder as I do with the little things around us, that thermal amplifies 1000 times over!
Yes, thermal is great! Here's a pic I took the other night, just to let folks know how much you can see with thermal. Unfortunately, my mini-DVR is down, so I took this with my cell phone through the view finder.
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Ken, that's clear now....it must be super clear when seen live in person! Very nice scope.
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Thanks, Randall! I made the mistake of picking one up at a gun show about six months before I bought this one. It was a hand held monocular. For me it was more addictive than airgunning. I only bought one, but had to finance it on the CC at the time. LOL