Mastering Night Hunts: Precision with the Thermtec Wild 650L Thermal Scope

So finally, last Thursday evening. It’s been a hectic week, and I hadn’t found time to sit down and write until now. I returned from Peter Oliver’s house just before midnight and was informed by my wife that the dogs had been sleeping since I left, which suggested a restless night ahead. Nevertheless, with the rifle and caller already prepared, I decided to check out some nearby land. I loaded the dogs and equipment into the truck and drove a few miles to a field. After setting up the caller, my first scan from the back of the truck revealed a heat source by the distant hedge.

Using the Thermtec Wild 650L, I could identify it as a fox from approximately 350 yards away. Activating the caller with a warm mouse squeak, the fox approached directly. A whistle and shout halted it at around 120 yards, and the 58-grain Vmax took care of the rest. Deciding to leave the caller on for another 15 minutes before heading home, another heat source appeared in front of me at about 250 yards, clearly another fox. I allowed it to come closer, to about 100 yards, and took the shot. Initially, I thought the Ares 660 had failed when the fox dashed across the field, but luckily, I managed to down it on the move with a second shot from about 200 yards, confirming the scope was fine. Upon reviewing the video, I realized the first shot might have been deflected by the fox’s front leg. Nonetheless, I ended the night with four foxes down, a satisfying total. The Thermtec equipment is proving invaluable, especially during the upcoming frosty nights when it will truly excel.