Night hunting?

[Ryanlo]

Sure some of you have gone out hunting at night. Some of the animals we would like a chance at are best at night.

Any tips would be great. Also what sights/scope did you use?

Be hunting for Civet, Caracal, honey badger, porcupine.

Thanks for any info. Never hunted at night

 

[Bert the Turtle]

My son has been out for honey badger. He uses a Swarovski. They have good low-light performance. If using a light, practice (at least dry fire) a few times because the transition from dark to light can be hard on the eyes and work out how to do that before going afield.

The best honey badger set up if my wife's experience is any indication is to set up a good leopard bait.

One last bit of advice is if you get a honey badger be prepared for the stench.

 

[Hank2211]

I've done quite a bit of night hunting. Got one or more caracal, serval, porcupine, civet, genet, honey badger, grysbok and likely a few others (bush pigs, maybe a dozen jackal . . .) that way. My tips?

1. Practice shooting quickly once you see the target. You won't have much time once the spotlight lights up the the animal.

2. Get used to shooting where you think the body is. In Africa you may see the eyes lit up and not much else if the grass is high (as it usually is). You have to quickly try to figure out where the body sits. This was tough for me, since I don't like shooting at something I can't quite see (violates one of the cardinal safety rules of shooting). This is obviously easier if you're shooting from a blind and the entire animal is lit up at a bait - but again, most of them won't sit there for long once the light comes on.

3. Use a scope with an illuminated reticle if you can. I use a Swarovski Z6i, with the illumination turned down low. Trying to see black crosshairs on a dark body and shadows can be difficult. The illumination makes sure you don't waste time trying to figure out where the bullet is going to go. In other words, it speeds up target acquisition.

4. I don't think scope power makes much difference, but since you likely won't be shooting at hundreds of yards, you could use something with lower power. On the other hand, field of view won't help you much - outside of the area illuminated by the light, you won't see anything (and that area will be less than the field of view on even a powerful scope).

5. If you want to do full mounts, either go for a small caliber or large. My plains game rifle - a .300 Win Mag - can blow the little guys apart, especially if you hit bone, like a shoulder. I tend to go bigger - I prefer something like a .375 with solids if you can get them.

5. Make sure your PH has experience with these animals. He will have very little time to judge them and tell you to shoot. My South African PH has never steered me wrong on a whole bunch of these hunts, but I've heard different stories from others.

I hope this helps. Have a great time - this is exceptionally fun hunting, and chasing these little guys is a heck of a challenge. In fact, writing this makes me quite jealous!

 

[IdaRam]

I've done quite a bit of night hunting. Got one or more caracal, serval, porcupine, civet, genet, honey badger, grysbok and likely a few others (bush pigs, maybe a dozen jackal . . .) that way. My tips?

1. Practice shooting quickly once you see the target. You won't have much time once the spotlight lights up the the animal.

2. Get used to shooting where you think the body is. In Africa you may see the eyes lit up and not much else if the grass is high (as it usually is). You have to quickly try to figure out where the body sits. This was tough for me, since I don't like shooting at something I can't quite see (violates one of the cardinal safety rules of shooting). This is obviously easier if you're shooting from a blind and the entire animal is lit up at a bait - but again, most of them won't sit there for long once the light comes on.

3. Use a scope with an illuminated reticle if you can. I use a Swarovski Z6i, with the illumination turned down low. Trying to see black crosshairs on a dark body and shadows can be difficult. The illumination makes sure you don't waste time trying to figure out where the bullet is going to go. In other words, it speeds up target acquisition.

4. I don't think scope power makes much difference, but since you likely won't be shooting at hundreds of yards, you could use something with lower power. On the other hand, field of view won't help you much - outside of the area illuminated by the light, you won't see anything (and that area will be less than the field of view on even a powerful scope).

5. If you want to do full mounts, either go for a small caliber or large. My plains game rifle - a .300 Win Mag - can blow the little guys apart, especially if you hit bone, like a shoulder. I tend to go bigger - I prefer something like a .375 with solids if you can get them.

5. Make sure your PH has experience with these animals. He will have very little time to judge them and tell you to shoot. My South African PH has never steered me wrong on a whole bunch of these hunts, but I've heard different stories from others.

I hope this helps. Have a great time - this is exceptionally fun hunting, and chasing these little guys is a heck of a challenge. In fact, writing this makes me quite jealous!

Concur 100% with the advice Hank has already offered.
Dress warmly. I take long underwear to put on under my regular hunting clothes, a heavy jacket, a stocking cap and light weight mechanics gloves.
A .375 with solids is just about perfect for everything, except possibly genet and porcupine, although it still works ok. Genet are pretty small and porcupine have skin like rice paper. If possible/legal, a .22 LR is about perfect for them. The .375 solid also works very well on some of the small stuff you may shoot in the day time such as Duiker, Steenbok, Vervet monkey, Klipspringer, etc.
Night hunting is a blast! You will have a great time

 

[Ryanlo]

Thanks everyone for responding. Will start the daughter out dry firing with a light at night in the yard. I will have to ask around and see if there is any place close where I could take her to shoot at night.

We will be using a 275 Rigby I think. Looking around for solids right now. Other rifle will be a 300 win mag.

 

[BRICKBURN]

That quick target acquisition in a spot light in the dark is huge.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Different strokes but I want to see my hits so big, heavy stuff with recoil is a non starter. I use a .17 fireball for the little stuff at night. Works for springbok and warthogs too. Scope is a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56 with a green post reticle. On top is mounted a Cyclops green light. Good to 200 to 250 meters at night. The fireball gives a good WHACK! with a hit.

 

[jeffpg]

Night hunting in SA can certainly be a blast. It’s a favorite of mine for sure. You’ll be amazed at the variety of species you will see. I took about a dozen different critters at night that weren’t really huntable during daylight hours. All of my larger animals such as bushpig and honey badger, African wildcats and jackel & fox, were taken with the 7x57 Mauser while I used a .410 shotgun for springhare and genet type animals, but I’d prefer a 20 ga for those. While in Africa I kept a quiet, wind and waterproof outer layer with me at all times, day and night.

You’re getting a load of great information here. Build on this, and most of all get plenty of night time practice with finding and shooting targets so that you’ll be prepared when the clock is ticking.

Also, as with any hunting you’ll ever do in Africa, keep an open mind and be prepared to make quick decisions on the taking of game you didn’t expect to encounter, because you will!

 

[ActionBob]

Scopes, any great quality scope but I concur on a lighted reticle. A lower cost option than Swarovski is a Leupold VX6, less still is a VXR. I also have a couple Trijicon scopes but for me I find the triangle a challenge to be real precise with, I would prefer the crosshair option for this purpose. I have the triangle on a DG scope, great for buffalo. So check that out for yourself.

But definitely take a shotgun or know you can borrow one. I was given a 410 to use but struggled on some critters, got a 12 gauge over under and all was good

Consider adding genet and spring hare to your list

 

[ActionBob]

And on calibers and bullets, big heavy slow bullets, small calibers that are not super fast, and shot. Fast calibers such as 300 mags, 6.5 Creedmore, even a light weight 30-06 bullet will blow up many small critters.

I was talking to a PH yesterday and he explained it is the hydrostatic shot that just blows them up. I had that experience even with solids in a 30-06.

I'm told a heavy 7x57 works, a 22 hornet might be great. Certainly a 300 grain solid in a 375 but pick a slow moving one. Superformance is not the way to go here.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Scopes, any great quality scope but I concur on a lighted reticle. A lower cost option than Swarovski is a Leupold VX6, less still is a VXR. I also have a couple Trijicon scopes but for me I find the triangle a challenge to be real precise with, I would prefer the crosshair option for this purpose. I have the triangle on a DG scope, great for buffalo. So check that out for yourself.

But definitely take a shotgun or know you can borrow one. I was given a 410 to use but struggled on some critters, got a 12 gauge over under and all was good

Consider adding genet and spring hare to your list

Bob, I hunt groundhogs all summer with the triangle scope. Once I got used to it, I found it's the fastest target acquisition reticle in my bag. I do have the standard Trijicon illuminated dot but prefer that for the long range stuff. I would caution anyone on using a lit reticle in red. Green is better for your eyes at night.

 

[Ryanlo]

Bob, I hunt groundhogs all summer with the triangle scope. Once I got used to it, I found it's the fastest target acquisition reticle in my bag. I do have the standard Trijicon illuminated dot but prefer that for the long range stuff. I would caution anyone on using a lit reticle in red. Green is better for your eyes at night.

On the Trijicon scopes are you talking about the ones with the battery or all the fiber optic wire that gathers the light? I have been looking at both on line.

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’ve done lots of night hunting in my life and agree that quick shots are number one most important thing. The invention of red dots in scopes such as Leupold (my favorite) is best thing that ever happened to night hunters.

 

[ActionBob]

On the Trijicon scopes are you talking about the ones with the battery or all the fiber optic wire that gathers the light? I have been looking at both on line.

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming.

I have the tritium and fiber optic ones. A 1-4 with triangle on my 505 Gibbs. And a 3-9x40 with the crosshair and small lighted dot.... Thinking of putting it on 275 Rigby or 22 hornet. These older models seem to pop up on sale every now and then.... Keep in mind the tritium does have a half life. But no battery has some attraction.

Again, I think the triangle is a personal thing, But I am not pinpoint accurate with it, probably a quirk as my eyes are aging. Love the triangle for big black Dangerous Game. It is very fast to acquire.

 

[Buckdog]

Love night hunting you never know what you will run into. My suggestion is a 12 ga shotgun and a bottle or two of some of that Klipdorp brandy stuff makes for a fun night!!

 

[Ryanlo]

I have the tritium and fiber optic ones. A 1-4 with triangle on my 505 Gibbs. And a 3-9x40 with the crosshair and small lighted dot.... Thinking of putting it on 275 Rigby or 22 hornet. These older models seem to pop up on sale every now and then.... Keep in mind the tritium does have a half life. But no battery has some attraction.

Again, I think the triangle is a personal thing, But I am not pinpoint accurate with it, probably a quirk as my eyes are aging. Love the triangle for big black Dangerous Game. It is very fast to acquire.

I like the idea of no battery’s. Do they get enough light from the spot light to work good? I would be putting it on my 275 Rigbby for the night Hunting. Would like to put one on my 404j for dangerous game. If I ever get the chance to hunt some.

 

[Hogpatrol]

On the Trijicon scopes are you talking about the ones with the battery or all the fiber optic wire that gathers the light? I have been looking at both on line.

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming.

The ones with the tritium are the ones I use, no batteries. When you hit the button on that green light on top of your scope, it really lights up the reticle. I have the amber and green post reticles in 2.5-10s and the dot in the 5-20s. They are the Accupoint models. I prefer the green over the other two colors.

I would caution when buying a USED Trijicon Accupoint scope. The tritium has a finite life, somewhere around 10 to 13 years they are only half as bright. As far as I know, the tritium unit can be replaced.

 

[ActionBob]

I like the idea of no battery’s. Do they get enough light from the spot light to work good? I would be putting it on my 275 Rigbby for the night Hunting. Would like to put one on my 404j for dangerous game. If I ever get the chance to hunt some.

Honestly don't know yet, I have not used a Trijicon in conjunction with a spotlight. I used a Leupold VX6 with red illumination.

However I plan to try my 3-9 next chance I get.

Have you ever used tritium night sights on a pistol? The Trijicon scope I'm talking about has duel illumination. The fiber optic for when it can pull in light. And tritium for pure darkness. So it should work great. If you don't know about tritium, research it a bit.

And yea, what @Hogpatrol said

 

[Hogpatrol]

@ActionBob. Have night hunted probably over twenty five times in RSA. The first year was with a spotlight and duplex crosshairs and it was difficult to see them at best. Switched over to the Trijicon green post and made a world of difference. Last two years have been using the Cyclops mounted on top of the Trijicon. Out to 100 meters or so, a spotlight isn't even needed. Further than that, my eyeballs need the spotlight and the triangle will be very easy to use.

 

[Nyati]

I don´t really like night hunting, as I like to place my shots carefully, and when you hunt with a spotlight you just don´t have the time.

However there are some animals which are much easier to hunt at night, I tried at hyena and bushpig without any luck.

Did shoot a duiker with a .243 and blew a large hole in it