Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Coon was in a 1/4 acre group of trees. Caught a glimpse of his eye kind of quickly. But he sure didn't look long. He was in a tree that was behind other trees from every angle. After a few 22 shells flying in his direction. I soon figured that was not going to work. Took out my Judge Pistol used for snakes and fired a shot in his direction. That son of a gun moved about 3 trees over and was looking right at me for just a few seconds. Then vanished. With the thermal I could seen him. But he was in a tree among several other trees and could not see him with a light. It was very frustrating knowing a buddy was there with a young dog that needed to see a coon up close. Yet you can see the coon plain with the thermal like it was sitting on a bare limb. But cannot see it to get a shot. Oh well that is why there is always "another night".

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2017
Location: West Plains Mo
Posts: 471

Just a circle tree Bruce goin by the rules. Lol That many rounds and not meat on ground it was an expensive circle tree at that.

I know feeling last summer I knocked sights of on my gun on way into tree. Shot about 10 rounds (all I had in my pocket) never cut hair. Dog looked at me like I was stupid. I was mad and after 6 tenth of mile walk back to truck I was still mad.

__________________
Ephesians 2:8 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Bayou Creek Black and Tan’s

Nathan Phenix
417-255-5697

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22586

Just imagine what it will be like in a big hunt after thermals are allowed. You know for sure that a coon is in a tree because you see it with your thermal, but It won't look. Your dog is the only one there and it will win the cast with a big score. You beat, bang and squall but it just won't look. Do you fuss, cuss, bitch and try to get the cast to plus it or just cry?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

quote:

---

Originally posted by Richard Lambert
Just imagine what it will be like in a big hunt after thermals are allowed. You know for sure that a coon is in a tree because you see it with your thermal, but It won't look. Your dog is the only one there and it will win the cast with a big score. You beat, bang and squall but it just won't look. Do you fuss, cuss, bitch and try to get the cast to plus it or just cry?

---

Naw Richard it would be more fun to watch the three guys plus the spider eye after you pulled it out and saw absolutely no heat in that spot to beat you

__________________
Home Of Valley Creek Hunting Supply..Dalton Farms Softball and Misty Hollow Kennels 434-865-4868
www.valleycreekhunting.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22586

Whether pleasure hunting or comp hunting; whether it goes for you or against you; the era of the thermals will bring on a lot of frustrated hunter's. Kinda like watching your dog on your Garmin treed out of hearing for an hour while the cast walks around scoring dogs that they can hear.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

quote:

---

Originally posted by Richard Lambert
Whether pleasure hunting or comp hunting; whether it goes for you or against you; the era of the thermals will bring on a lot of frustrated hunter's. Kinda like watching your dog on your Garmin treed out of hearing for an hour while the cast walks around scoring dogs that they can hear.

---

Of course Im not as old as You and Mr.Conkey but I have seen hollers lit on fire,chainsaw to cut down a slick tree and a gentleman walk back to the truck and get his rifle and shoot a coon out that cast couldnt see but of course it was not on a UKC hunt cause all of that stuff is against the rules..Thermals are here to stay and probably something on the horizon next for us to debate about..Hope everyone is having a safe weekend and holiday Monday if you are still in the working class

__________________
Home Of Valley Creek Hunting Supply..Dalton Farms Softball and Misty Hollow Kennels 434-865-4868
www.valleycreekhunting.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

We use to work on smoking them out. Then we came up with the slogan. Don't worry about the smoke, enough heat will work better. Some of our coon came out half cooked. LOL
Actually Richard the Thermals are taking frustration away from your thoughts on the dog and turning the thoughts on your ability and the situation. My dogs made a sign. "Don't forget the Thermal".
If they get a switch now at the tree, they deserve it.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2021
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 136

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
Coon was in a 1/4 acre group of trees. Caught a glimpse of his eye kind of quickly. But he sure didn't look long. He was in a tree that was behind other trees from every angle. After a few 22 shells flying in his direction. I soon figured that was not going to work. Took out my Judge Pistol used for snakes and fired a shot in his direction. That son of a gun moved about 3 trees over and was looking right at me for just a few seconds. Then vanished. With the thermal I could seen him. But he was in a tree among several other trees and could not see him with a light. It was very frustrating knowing a buddy was there with a young dog that needed to see a coon up close. Yet you can see the coon plain with the thermal like it was sitting on a bare limb. But cannot see it to get a shot. Oh well that is why there is always "another night".

---

__________________
Tom Wood

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Rocky Mount, VA
Posts: 1282

Bruce, et.all-

What thermal are you using?

I'm about to buy one of the AGM models. The price isn't the issue but I want one that's going to perform the best for me in the Virginia mountains. Your experience in FL should give me a good idea of what we'll see during the summer here.

I've read through many reviews from the "experienced experts" that generally claim the 25 is the way to go but I have a similar mindset to you and I value your input Mr. Bruce.

Thanks!
Simon

__________________
Pigg River Treeing Walkers
🍀☠️🍀☠️🍀

Simon Rucker
(540)-420-1787

GrNiteCh PKC CH 'PR' Candy's Stylish Swag 2014 VA State PKC top 10 and 2022/2023 Super Stakes Sire & 2022 UKC Performance Sire
CH GrNiteCh 'PR' Late Night Backwater Piper
CH NiteCh 'PR' Stylish Poison Neon Moon
CH NiteCh 'PR' Riverbottom Sally
NiteCh 'PR' Froggy Bottom Daisy

Last edited by deadeye ruck on 06-02-2021 at 05:31 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

I think the AGM asp has proven itself. They are being discontinued and replaced with a model called Taipan. They have a 15, 19 and 25. I use the 15. Cheaper and works good for Coonhunting. Taipan 19 wouldn't be a bad choice either. For Coon the 25 might be overkill but would work great. With all that said the new Taipan model is about half the size of the older ASP 25. All made by AGM.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Rocky Mount, VA
Posts: 1282

Thanks Bruce- I have seen good reviews of both and I agree with the idea of newer tech. Thanks for your input- Always looking to save a buck, especially if there's no compromise in result.

__________________
Pigg River Treeing Walkers
🍀☠️🍀☠️🍀

Simon Rucker
(540)-420-1787

GrNiteCh PKC CH 'PR' Candy's Stylish Swag 2014 VA State PKC top 10 and 2022/2023 Super Stakes Sire & 2022 UKC Performance Sire
CH GrNiteCh 'PR' Late Night Backwater Piper
CH NiteCh 'PR' Stylish Poison Neon Moon
CH NiteCh 'PR' Riverbottom Sally
NiteCh 'PR' Froggy Bottom Daisy

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

This one last night was in a big oak covered with leaves. Two of us had searched with our lights. Didn't see much and then I broke out the Thermal. Saw him right away. I have my Thermal hooked to my phone and I called my buddy over and showed hime the phone screen while I stayed on where the coon was at with the Thermal device. Then just like taking a picture I pushed the phone photo button and I had saved the picture. Easy to find, easy to operate. My kind of device. My dog is happy also because I am leaving the trees happy without being harsh to him. I use to think if I couldn't find the coon they were not there. Not many circle trees in my life. I now realize that some of my dogs might have been better at having the coon than I gave them credit for.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Last edited by Bruce m. Conkey on 06-04-2021 at 12:00 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged