6mm06
Well-known member
Below is an example of a 940nm spotlight that I use sometimes with my home-made night vision.
The light is mounted on a tall 4x4 post that is positioned about 23 yards from the bait site.
I control it remotely on/of from the cabin.
A coyote has been visiting my bait site for a few nights. Two nights ago I stayed at the cabin in hopes of getting him.
I had a road-killed deer wired down to a stake at the bait site, and found that something (most likely the coyote) had
dragged the deer loose from the stake and out into the field about 15 or 20 yards. I put the deer back and wired it
down again.
The coyote showed up at 10:45 PM. He was very nervous and didn't like the idea that I took his deer back to the stake.
He wouldn't go near the deer. I don't know if he smelled where I had walked or what, but he didn't like the situation and
stayed only a few seconds before leaving.
At one point I could have taken a shot, The illumination from the 940nm light allows me to see what is there without
giving any red glow. But, the light is not as bright as my 850nm one and I wanted to get a good video of the kill.
The coyote was so nervous and didn't stand still very long, and I sure didn't want to rush a shot and wound him. At one
point I could have taken him, but I figured he would settle down to the deer and I would use the 850nm mounted on my
scope. Such was not the case. He acted almost like he could hear me panning the rifle. There was a slight popping / cracking
sound in the window foam. I don't know if he heard that or not.
The coyote returned around 2:30 AM in the morning but only came to the upper side of the bait site. He tripped the first
sensor that is high on the hill, but he wouldn't come down to the bait. He was out of range of the 940nm and I was afraid
to light him up with the 850. Maybe he will eventually settle down and give me a good opportunity. I was more interested
in getting a good shot on video with the 850nm light than of shooting him while using the 940nm light.
Here is a video. I only got one other video as he quickly left the site. As you can see, the 940nm doesn't give good clarity.
It's very grainy, much more than when using an 850nm light, but still possible to make a shot. But, the 940nm is more
stealthy and that's why I use it, as least to see what is there before turning on the 850nm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A3EZSLYDNQ&feature=youtu.be
I stayed at the cabin again last night but the coyote didn't return. And so, the saga continues.