- Use Of Thermal Units In PKC Hunts -

[Jerry Moll]

There have been a few questions recently about the legal use of night vision and/or heat sensing units in PKC Hunts.

#1. Can a thermal unit be used to score a tree?
As stated clearly in rule #10.A(1), the use of a thermal unit does not change the raccoon scoring requirements of a tree or other place of refuge. Either the majority of the cast in an open event or a Non-Hunting Judge under Pro Rules must actually see the coon with their own eyes. A thermal image of game is not sufficient to score a tree or place of refuge, because you do not know what type of game that you are detecting.

#2. Can a cast member look through a thermal unit at a tree or place of refuge, before shine time begins?
No, as shown in rule 9.H, shining time will be announced and started when the judge is in position to score the tree. There should be no searching of a tree or place of refuge with lights, a thermal or any other means, before the judge announces that the official shining time has started.

9.H. Scoring The Tree - After the judge has determined which dog(s) are showing tree and which dog(s), if any, are off tree, dog(s) should be leashed and the tree scored. Any dog coming in and showing interest in tree while scoring will be leashed. Shining time will be announced and started when the judge is in position to score the tree. The handler with the most to gain on a tree, strike and tree points combined, should be allowed to search the tree for the first two minutes alone at their option and then all handlers may search. Eight (8) minutes of hunting time may be used to search a tree up until the tree has been scored. No game may be scored prior to dog(s) being handled, the judge starting the eight minutes or after the eight (8) minute shining period has expired. Handlers may blow squallers, pull vines, etc. during the entire shining period. No time-out may be called to search a tree, leading away from a tree, or between split trees. All dogs leashed at the tree must remain leashed until they can be released toward other trailing dog(s) or a fresh re-casting area if no dog(s) are on trail.

10. PLUS POINTS
A. Raccoon Scoring Requirements - When a dog strikes and trees, and a coon is seen by a majority of the cast, dog's points will be plus. A minimum of three (3) cast members must be present at every tree before scoring begins. If only three (3) members of a four (4) dog cast go to a tree, all three (3) must agree on the scoring of the tree. Only one (1) raccoon is counted even if more than one (1) is up the tree.

(1) Night vision and/or heat sensing binocular or monocular scopes may be used as an aid to determine the location of raccoon or off-game in thick or leafy trees. The majority of the cast under Open Event Rules, or non-hunting judge under Pro Rules, must first verify if there is game (raccoon or off-game) before scoring.

(2) A mirror, phone or camera may be used as an aid to see a raccoon or off-game in a den, hole, log or other place of refuge where a visual obstruction exists. The majority of the cast under Open Event Rules, or non-hunting judge under Pro Rules, must first verify if there is game (raccoon or off-game) before scoring. Scoring disagreements may be voted on and questioned via the normal process.
PRO: Only the non-hunting judge is required to score the coon.

[Adam G. McGuire]

Leave the thermal to coyote hunting and buy a 20$ coon squaller. Turn the Garmin off and listen to what dog is actually yours. Make dogs run coons again not fields and edges out of the country. Make coon hunting great again!!!

[Jeremiah Lynch]

I agree Adam .

[Allen Hedgecock]

Leave the thermal to coyote hunting and buy a 20$ coon squaller. Turn the Garmin off and listen to what dog is actually yours. Make dogs run coons again not fields and edges out of the country. Make coon hunting great again!!!

Truth !!!

[Clifton Flanders]

Amen

[Richard C Lambert]

So, do you have to actually visually see a "racoon" or can you plus a tree when you just see "eyes" and assume that it is a raccoon? What is the difference between plussing "eyes" and plussing an image seen with a thermal?

I wonder how many possum, house cat and spider eyes have been plussed?

[Ben Crocker]

Exactly Adam. Sadly we’ll never see the day.

[Tim Green]

So, do you have to actually visually see a "racoon" or can you plus a tree when you just see "eyes" and assume that it is a raccoon? What is the difference between plussing "eyes" and plussing an image seen with a thermal?

I wonder how many possum, house cat and spider eyes have been plussed?

Did you read his post....Jerry specifically says “ you must see the raccoon with your eyes”. Because other animals give heat signatures.

[Danny Chapman]

Get rid of them don't need them another way for guys to cheat.

[Dean Morgan]

That's right go back the way it use to be no thermal and use your tracker when the hunt is over and that will be coon hunting again just your ears and your eyes to hunt the hunts