The Best Night Vision Scope for Coyote Hunting 2022

Hunting coyotes during the night is the best way to hunt them. But, “why”, you may ask. It is because coyotes are nocturnal creatures, meaning, they are most active during the night. This makes it easier for hunters to hunt them during the nighttime. 

However, hunting them at night can pose some threats and difficulties such as not being able to see in the dark, predators that may attack you, and many more. But if you’re insistent on hunting them successfully, then one of the greatest tips we can give you is to use the best night vision scope you can find to hunt coyotes or just any other predator.

Having to hunt during the night without the proper gear will make your hunting trip much more difficult than it already is. So, finding yourself great pieces of night-hunting gear will be the best course of action. One of these hunting gears is night vision scopes, which we will be talking about today. 

Before we get to talking about the best night vision scope to hunt coyotes, let’s learn more about these coyotes, so that you have an idea of what you want to hunt using the night vision scope.

What Are Coyotes

So, what are coyotes? Coyotes are predators of wastelands and forests that are medium-sized canines. They are similar to German shepherds or even wolves, with their pointed ears, a thin snout, and a droopy bushy tail. Coyotes are typically greyish brown with red overtones behind their ears as well as around their face, although their color can vary between silver-gray to black. Their tail, on the other hand, is typically black around the tip. Furthermore, unlike other domestic dogs, their eyes are generally yellowish instead of just brown.

Coyotes can live anywhere as their habitats, although they do prefer forests, grassland, and even deserts. They prefer to stay out of civilization as they seek refuge away from humans. Not to mention, coyotes are very intelligent. They even have their own highly structured social structure which is called a “pack” that comprises the alpha male, alpha female, and the other coyote members. 

Despite the fact that they have their own social structure, they still choose to hunt alone, rather than with their pack. In this way, they differ from wolves who hunt in packs.

What is a Night Vision Scope?

A night vision scope is just a piece of equipment you mount on your rife that permits you to magnify any ambient light or utilize infrared light to view your target from a distance. The brighter the object seems, the more reflecting it is to that light. These are the greatest hunting tools ever developed, especially for hunting wild animals like hogs and coyotes.

The Best Night Vision Scope for Coyote Hunting

Scope choice is a somewhat controversial topic for hunters all over the world. There are several factors to consider before selecting a scope. The first consideration is which animal will be hunted and the location and conditions under which the equipment will be utilized on a regular basis must next be determined. 

Below, we listed a few of the best night vision scopes for coyote hunting.

The X-Sight 4K PRO is the latest breakthrough from the brand, ATN, that brought you the ultimate digital hunting experience. The X-Sight seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with a more traditional scope design to offer you the best of both worlds.

The X-Sight 4K PRO, driven by a Dual-Core CPU and a low-light 4K sensor, delivers outstanding picture performance while incorporating the latest Modern technology that ATN users have come to expect. The Ultra HD 4K sensor, along with the Obsidian 4 Dual Core CPU, delivers cutting-edge technology with greater resolution, quicker optics, and tons of vibrant hues. The X-Sight 4K PRO has an improved HD night vision capability, making it easier to spot coyotes at night.

The X-Sight 4K appears to be a standard optic in the end. Its eye-relief is increased and its rings are for a conventional installation. Furthermore, you can observe your prey at a greater resolution and in a short period of time, and there is no geometric distortion or pixelation while zooming.

Dual video recording is also available with the X-Sight 4K PRO. Not only can it broadcast HD video to your mobile device, but it can also store on the SD card inside the scope. Furthermore, with the RAV (Reverse Activated Video), you can rest and concentrate on your prey while the obsidian core does the heavy work because before and after capturing an image, the X-Sight 4K PRO will automatically begin recording a video.

Not to mention, the X-Sight 4K PRO won’t leave you worried about its own power and battery life as it has an ultra-low-power profile that operates for over 18 hours on a single charge assuring that the X-Sight 4K lasts as long as you and your hunting time.

This is by far one of the best night vision scopes for coyote hunting in the market. 

Pros

• Has an Ultra-HD sensor
• Great night vision mode
• Operated by a dual-core CPU and a low-light 4K sensor
• Has a ballistic calculator to calculate and determine the exact target
• Includes video recording and RAV (Reverse Activated Video)
• Won’t have to worry about battery life with its ultra-low-power profile

Cons

• It is a bit pricey

Another great scope made by ATN is the ATN X-Sight-II Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope. This scope is full of amazing features that almost any hunter may benefit from. To begin with, it offers superb day and night vision in HD 1080p quality. This results in the crystal-clear image up to a few hundred feet and even better imaging further away. The scope has a magnification range of 5x to 20x, making it ideal for aiming at a variety of distances.

This cope is known for its ballistic calculator, just like the ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Edition – Smart Hunting Rifle, which allows you to quickly calculate ballistics for any hunter’s needs. It makes it easier to determine the exact location of your target. Furthermore, the ATN X-Sight-II Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope has a rangefinder, allowing hunters to quickly determine which targets to fire. This is useful for evaluating the best magnification setting to use or whether your chosen ammo is appropriate for the hunt at hand. The rangefinder has an accuracy of +/-1 yard.

Not just that, however, this scope can also record 1080 P HD video and snap comparable photos while streaming them over Wi-Fi. It activates automatically when it detects recoil from your weapon, so you don’t have to switch it on yourself. It’s never been easier to keep track of your hunting excursions for both memory and legal purposes.

Finally, the program has E-Compass and GPS capabilities. It will make traversing the environment a whole lot simpler. The rechargeable battery provides 22 hours of continuous use and is simple to charge, and the infrared illuminator is compatible with all of the other night vision equipment.

Pros

• Long-lasting battery
• E-compass and GPS features
• Rangefinder
• Has a ballistic calculator
• Excellent quality
• Can record and take photos automatically with the use of RAV

Cons

• Although it is pricey, its features make up for the price.

This night vision scope utilizes an infrared illuminator strong enough just to offer you excellent resolution and visibility up to 200 yards in normal evening lighting. It also features three distinct reticle types for simple focusing and optimum adaptations to the shooting environment, as well as an infrared illuminator integrated into it.

It has a magnification level of 3x. It may be utilized for shooting distances ranging from 100 to 200 yards. This scope has a 640×480 high-resolution screen that will provide you with a great view of your prey, which in this case, is your coyotes.

Because the sight is suitable for either Weaver or Picatinny rails, you may use it with practically any rifle. The scope only works with standard AA batteries or lithium batteries, so having extras on hand is a non-issue. However, if you can afford it, we recommend buying lithium batteries because they last much longer and provide more battery life that is worth your money. 

Lastly, this riflescope may be utilized at any time of day or night. The scope is also completely waterproof and can survive a great deal of rough weather prior to exhibiting indications of deterioration. It’s constructed of engineered thermoplastic, which is both sturdy and doesn’t shine in the sun, further concealing your position from any coyotes that are nearby.

Pros

• Made with engineered thermoplastic, making it very durable
• Weather-proof
• Can be used for day and night
• Has a high-resolution screen
• Features a long range from 100 to 200 yards in the nighttime environment
• Has a built-in infrared illuminator
• Has three different reticle types for best adjustments.

Cons

• Battery life can be better
• Difficult to replace the battery

The Sightmark Wraith Night Vision Digital Riflescope is one of the budget-friendly scopes on the market, although it may be still pricey for some. But when you check out other scopes, this one is slightly more cheaper, yet it still has excellent features just like any high-end night vision scope. The Sightmark Wraith is intended for hunting purposes only, and it works especially effectively on hogs, coyotes, as well as other nocturnal predators.

Hunters can select from ten distinct reticle choices and nine different color variations. The scope also comes with a detachable infrared illuminator with a detection range of 200 yards. As an added illumination function, this item incorporates an 850 nm IR flashlight. This is indeed a remarkable night vision scope feature that gives hunters incredible precision during target shooting, and of course, nighttime hunting for coyotes.

The Sightmark Wraith is equipped with a technology that uses a 1920×1080 HD sensor to offer full-color clarity during the day, then switches to night mode and will provide the conventional green or black and white viewing options.

Finally, a feature that every hunter loves is the video recording of this scope. The videos that can be captured using this scope will be really helpful for hunters who want to see their hunt the next morning and even use it as a learning guide. 

Your prey that is captured in the videos are not pixelated, unlike on other brands, because it features a 1080 HD higher definition sensor. And once you’re able to capture your prey on cam, you can transfer it to your mobile device or laptop using a micro USB.

Pros

• Excellent night vision mode
• Has 10 reticle options and 9 different colors to choose from
• Has a long-lasting battery life
• Uses a 1920×1080 HD sensor 
• Can take excellent quality videos with a 1080 HD higher definition sensor
• Cheaper compared to other night vision scopes

Cons

• Bulky and not lightweight

The Firefield NVRS Night Vision Riflescope is one of the more inexpensive night vision scopes. This NVRS 342 lets you fire medium and long-range targets with excellent resolution under the moonlight.

This night vision scope has a fixed magnification setting of 3x, which provides excellent accuracy between 100 and 200 yards. The magnification is boosted by the high-power infrared illuminator, which provides greater picture quality and clarity in low-light settings. The scope has a 42 mm lens that captures a lot of stray light for better night vision resolution while still giving a respectable visual field.

The scope is small and light, yet it features a strong titanium construction. It’s also completely waterproof, so it’s designed to endure a lot of abuse until functionality degrades. In contrast, the lenses are tough and multi-coated to withstand scratching risk and reduce light transmission during hunting for coyotes at night.

The flip-lens covering has multi-coated optics and a red duplex illumination to help you rapidly adapt to your environment. And lastly, the quick-release mounting mechanism is a nice addition. It allows you to easily convert to iron sights or optics while still maintaining return-to-zero dependability.

Pros

• Great value for its price
• Features a 42mm lens for medium to long-range targets
• Ergonomic
• Has a built-in high-powered IR Illuminator
• Powerful  3x magnification settings
• Has a quick-release mounting mechanism

Cons

• Not great for daytime usage
• Shows black dots on its tube

What’s The Best Night Vision Scope for Coyote Hunting? – Our Top Pick

Our top pick for the best expensive night vision scope for coyote hunting is the ATN X-Sight-II Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope. This is because it includes numerous features that are great for nighttime hunting. It makes hunters’ lives easier when they want to hunt coyotes. So, if your budget allows you, this scope is what we highly recommend.

Next, our top pick for the best affordable night vision scope for coyote hunting is the Sightmark Wraith Night Vision Digital Riflescope. Although it may not be as affordable as it seems, with its $500 price, it is one of the best among the cheaper night vision scopes that you’ll find on the market. It has several features that a high-end scope can also do, such as video recording, a high definition sensor, and even long-lasting battery life.

So if you want a high-end night vision scope, get the  ATN X-Sight-II Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope, but if your budget does not allow you to purchase the ATN X-Sight-II, then a great alternative is the Sightmark Wraith Night Vision Digital Riflescope. Both are great and are efficient night vision scopes, it now just comes down to your budget and preferences.

What’s The Difference? – Thermal or Night Vision

There are many types of scopes that cater to different situations, weather, time of day, and even to what animals that you want to hunt. But in this case, if you want to hunt coyotes during the night, then both thermal imaging and night vision scopes are the best choices. 

Both thermal imaging and night vision scopes enable the hunter in locating, detecting, and identifying his prey. There are several factors that influence the decision between a night vision and thermal imaging scope. 

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging detects radiation and produces images without the need for visible light. They are best used to detect objects that emit warmth. Thermal imaging equipment may be utilized both during the day and at night. Creatures produce heat and thus are warmer than their environment, allowing thermal imaging to identify them from long distances.

A thermal imager can detect minute changes in heat and display them as an image on a screen with reasonable accuracy. Temperature variations detected by some of the most advanced instruments in the world can be as tiny as 0.01°C. 

Temperatures are represented by different colors, thus whenever you see a black and white thermal picture, the lighter the hue, the warmer the subject. Humans, animals, and automobiles produce heat and are often warmer than their environment, letting a thermal imager obtain a good view of them. 

A cold-blooded animal, such as a snake, will be more difficult to spot because of its size. But with a warm-blooded animal, such as a coyote, using a thermal imager would be a great choice.

Night Vision

Over the years, night vision has been utilized considerably more frequently than thermal imagers, but it is confined to low-light conditions because strong light can destroy the intensifier tubes that allow night vision to operate. The technology has evolved over several decades, and the amazing endurance of these gadgets makes them ideal for a wide range of activities.

Since night vision depends on at least minimal ambient light for detection, detection at long distances becomes more challenging. When hunting at night, the moon and stars should give enough light to illuminate a night vision scope. Alternatively, night vision cannot be utilized in strong light because the intensifier tubes that make a night vision scope operate would get damaged.

To compensate for this reliance on ambient light, many night vision systems include or may be fitted with an IR illuminator. These function similarly to flashlights for night vision but are undetectable. The one disadvantage of utilizing an IR illuminator is that it reveals your location to anybody using night vision. It’s not a concern when hunting, but it may be devastating throughout a military mission.

Hunting Coyotes – Hunters’ Guide

Hunting coyotes can be extremely hard, especially at night where you’re not able to see clearly. So, having this guide can be extremely helpful to give you a little bit more knowledge about coyotes. But, if you want a much detailed guide about them to make your hunt much more safe and successful then our “Hunting Coyotes: Tips for Hunting Coyotes at Night” is the article for you! 

How Good is a Coyotes’ Night Vision

Coyotes have amazing peripheral vision, covering around 260 degrees, whereas felines cover approximately 200 degrees and humans cover approximately 180 degrees. This is why motion is so important when calling coyotes; they can detect movement far faster than they can recognize you sitting stationary in the open with no concealment. Many scientists believe they can see up to x7 better than humans in low-light situations.

Not only that but because coyotes’ eyes have many more rod receptors than the human eye has, they are able to see clearly in the dark. To put it simply, they have night-vision. Coyotes, like any other canine, have nearly completely rod-based retinas. They have a plethora of rods but only a few cones. Rods take lesser light to trigger than cones, but they can only see in black and white. Having a lot of rods implies having good night vision. So, a coyote with a lot of rods, they are able to see you through the darkness. 

With this knowledge, you need to invest in the best night vision scope for coyote hunting if you want your hunt to be more safe and successful.

Do Red Lights Spook Coyotes?

You may ask yourself, “Do coyotes see red lights?”, well to answer your question, yes. They are very keen and sensitive to both light and motion. But because coyotes are nocturnal creatures, hunting them at night is the best way to go. Meaning, light is as essential as a weapon. So, choosing the correct light will help you hunt for coyotes during the night.

A red light is the most suitable to use for hunting coyotes as they are known to have the least effect on coyotes, meaning, they don’t easily get spooked by a red light. Furthermore, because they are dichromatic, they cannot perceive light at higher wavelengths. And red lights fall under the dichromatic category, making them the best light to use when hunting coyotes. Not to mention, the red light has a calming effect on coyotes which makes it all the better to use.

Can You Use Green or White Light to Hunt Coyotes?

As for green and white lights, yes, you can definitely use them, although they are not the best for to use for hunting coyotes. Both green and white light is very bright and will be uncomfortable for the coyotes’ eyes. These lights will disturb the coyotes which will make them pace around, run away, and even hide. This will make hunting coyotes very hard. So, it is highly recommended to use a red light for successful coyote hunting at night.

What are the Best Months to Hunt Coyotes?

For someone who wants to hunt coyotes, the winter and fall season months are the best months to hunt down coyotes. But because hunting predators is arguably one of the most fastest-growing activities for hunters, many are finding out that you can hunt coyotes at any time of the year. Though, the winter and fall season will give you a greater chance of successfully hunting one.

Hunting coyotes during fall can also be a great opportunity for hunters because the weather is perfect, not too hot nor cold. With the perfect weather, coyotes are bound to go out of their habitat and explore, there, you might get a chance to get the “dumber” ones.

Wrap-Up

Hunting for predators such as coyotes during the night is very difficult and dangerous. But given the technology that has been made throughout the years, night vision scopes have been invented and enhanced to help hunters to hunt much easier and safer than before. 

Not only that but there are several types of scopes you can use for different types of animals such as deers. A great riflescope for deers is different compared to a great night vision scope for coyotes. 

So, use this guide to help yourself get ready for a night out with those coyotes.