Laser Light Night Hunting

[BigN]

I'm in the process of setting up a coyote rifle with laser night sights for use as soon as deer season is over here. I was looking at either the Laser Genetics ND-3 or the XLR-250. Basically, I want a light to acquire and be able to fire on game at night. I'd love a Gen 4 starlight scope but the bucks are a bit steep. Anyone own or have experience with the above named lasers? I've seen some Youtube videos and they seem practical and easy to use and priced less than $500. Can anyone suggest a night light system I can use by myself, that mounts on the gun itself for $500 or less?

 

[MCgunner]

they made lasers illegal in Texas for night hunting. I haven't tried it, anyway, but I had been told a laser won't show up well on a hog, I guess a normal black wild hog. They come in color variations different parts of the state, but ours are all black.

Now, if you're talkin' about these new "laser" spot lights, I know nothing. Been thinkin' about getting one of those, myself, but I don't much like sitting up after dark anymore. I'm a days guy.

 

[alsaqr]

For winter use in upstate New York you will probably need the cold weather version of the ND-3.

http://www.mycsg.com/laser_genetics_ND3.php

 

[retrieverman]

I have killed three hogs using a ND-3 light, and it works great.

 

[Flintknapper]

MCgunner wrote:

they made lasers illegal in Texas for night hunting.

Nope. At least not for non-protected, non-game, exotic or fur bearing animals.

All of those may be hunted with the aid of an artificial light (to include a laser).

Coyotes are listed as a non-game animal, so they qualify.

I haven't tried it, anyway, but I had been told a laser won't show up well on a hog, I guess a normal black wild hog. They come in color variations different parts of the state, but ours are all black.

Correct, Feral Hogs occur in a variety of colors. The vast majority will be black (of varying shades) no matter where you find them in the State.

The spot/dot from a RED laser will be absorbed (to some degree) on any non-reflective dark object (doesn't have to be black). BUT...if your laser is powerful enough...you'll have no problem seeing it (as long as distances are not too great).

Using a GREEN laser pretty much solves the problem of being able to see the spot/dot, but they also tend to produce a visible beam if there is significant moisture or dust in the air (after dark).

Another thing...(peculiar to green lasers) is that most will not work at low temperatures (some as little as 30° F.)

You can find more information (for TEXAS) about restricted methods on page 58 of the Outdoor Annual 2011/2012 published by the TPWD.

 

[HarcyPervin]

Using a GREEN laser pretty much solves the problem of being able to see the spot/dot, but they also tend to produce a visible beam if there is significant moisture or dust in the air (after dark).

I have a Viridian laser on a Glock G17. At night and even when the sun is rising, it provides a clearly visible dot at 200 yds (as much room as I had when I brought it to the deer stand last weekend) You can also see the beam pretty clearly. Check out their website http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/ they have some great products. The owner is from my area, and my dad runs into him at the range every now and then. IIRC they're set up to be used on pistols, but they probably have something you could mount on a picatinny rail on a long gun.

Haven't tried it in cold weather, so I can't speak to that.

 

[Flintknapper]

I've got custom made 35mW green laser already.

It will literally point out the stars and put a "dot" on anything you want... for about as far as you can see.

I haven't tried using it on Coyotes at night, but it works well for me on hogs (provided they don't see it, which they do a lot).

 

[Sky]

I have an ATN 350 gen 1 night vision scope. It has 2.5x magnification with 1/4 moa adjustments ( red reticule ). Came with a good mount and IR illuminator which I never use. Most of my hunting is in brush and brambles; many targets are less than 100 yards. I paid around $350 for mine from Optics Planet. Out to 125 yards I can see a black pig with out much of a problem. Have had the scope for over a year and have used it many times w/o problems other than it is big and heavy. It is mounted on a 14.5" AR.

I like lasers for point and shoot with pistols and rifles and thought about a laser set-up before I went with the night vision. The night vision just works so much better for me because I can either sit and scan or walk and scan and always see them before they even know I am there.

 

[Yotergirl]

The XLR 250 from elusive wildlife is a top notch light. It is not a laser and is legal to use in Texas for hunting hogs at night. I have used it and you can easily see the animal at 200 yards if not more. It hasn't had any problems with performance in cold temperatures and by far out performs the ND3 in my opinion.

 

[Longrifle2506]

I have the ND3x50 SubZero model; got it at Natchez shooter's Supply on sale for 419.95; which is a great deal less than the 599.95 that some places charge; which is full retail. Natchez's price is cheaper than the Sportsman's Guide even.
The laser is the ultimate, I wanted the most powerful model because I've made several kills around 350 yards in the past; and the powerful units will let you make shots that far at night... Easily. It's awesome because now I don't have to carry a bulky battery with a wire attached to it on my belt. That's how I used to hunt with the Optronics Varmint light. The Laser Genetics Green Lasers change the night hunting game; at least for me.

 

[jhnrckr]

I have the ND-30 and it stopped working well when my truck thermometer said 42 degrees. I have used it for hogs but it can spook other animals. I had it on a big buck two weeks ago just to see how he would react. It didnt bug him at first but I kept playing with the switch because it was getting dim with the temperature and he got sick of the on and off over and over and figured something wasnt right and bailed. I once had a sounder come in to a feeder and there was some exotic there and he didnt like the laser one bit and took off running and the hogs went with him. Hogs eyes will reflect back the green light and you will see hundreds of other little eyes all trained on you that you would never know were there without the ND-3. You think you are all alone out there but everything from mice, hogs, coons, deer, yotes are all very close bedded down motionless starring right at you.

 

[mbopp]

You'd better check with the DEC on using an "artificial light" before you buy one.