Are infrared monoculars legal to hunt with?

[IA42]

Looking at the regulations, I've noticed it says illumination is illegal to hunt with and includes in that category both nightvision and infrared.

However, I've had several people at places like Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabelas tell me that it's legal to use infrared for the purposes of finding game as long as it's not an infrared scope mounted onto your gun. They sell infrared monoculars there but not infrared scopes.

Are they wrong about the law or is there something I'm missing in the regulations about this?

[Bobvernon2]

Definitely illegal in Oregon (635-065-0745). However still looking for Washington

[Bobvernon2]

Legal to use rangefinders with infrared  but other equipment is a no go for deer and elk

https://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/69/Can+I+use+laser+sights+or+night+vision+devices+to+hunt%3F

[CementFinisher]

night vision, infrared, gun mounted or hand held is legal for non big game. aka bobcats, coyotes

[KFhunter]

night vision, infrared, gun mounted or hand held is legal for non big game. aka bobcats, coyotes

You can't hunt Bobcats at night in a Lynx recovery zone. 

[KFhunter]

Looking at the regulations, I've noticed it says illumination is illegal to hunt with and includes in that category both nightvision and infrared.

However, I've had several people at places like Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabelas tell me that it's legal to use infrared for the purposes of finding game as long as it's not an infrared scope mounted onto your gun. They sell infrared monoculars there but not infrared scopes.

Are they wrong about the law or is there something I'm missing in the regulations about this?

They are wrong

Using night vision and laser sights (WAC 220-414-010): It is illegal to hunt deer or elk with the aid of infrared night vision equipment or with laser sights (not to include range finders) capable of projecting a beam onto the target, while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow


It specifies deer and elk, so I think its ok using infrared night vision equipment during daylight hunting hours on Cougar.  Which would be nice because it's pretty low light before the legal shooting hours are over and if you can get some eye shine it might help spot a cat coming into a call at the tail end of shooting hours.

[Bob33]

If you "finding game" and not hunting they are completely legal.

[KFhunter]

If you "finding game" and not hunting they are completely legal.

correct, that would be spotlighting.  (the thread title is "legal to hunt with")


Now, can you spotlight while concealed carry?

[emac]

If you "finding game" and not hunting they are completely legal.

correct, that would be spotlighting.  (the thread title is "legal to hunt with")


Now, can you spotlight while concealed carry?

As long as there is no deer or elk general season open spotlight away. With rifle, concealed or anything you want

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[emac]

If you "finding game" and not hunting they are completely legal.

correct, that would be spotlighting.  (the thread title is "legal to hunt with")


Now, can you spotlight while concealed carry?

As long as there is no deer or elk general season open spotlight away. With rifle, concealed or anything you want

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

And yes legal to hunt with as long as its not a general deer or elk season

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[MR5x5]

Still curious - not stirring the pot.  Per the WAC the IR device cannot be "capable of projecting a beam onto the target".

I believe typical thermal imaging devices are passive, i.e. not projecting anything, simply receiving IR energy.  That said they do require signal processing, i.e. batteries to operate.   

https://www.atncorp.com/howthermalimagingworks

Am I right in thinking you can't have anything powered on your rifle?  I'm a bow guy and that is the case for us. 

If so the battery aspect would make an IR scope illegal, but an IR  monocular/binocular would be fine as they are not mounted to your weapon and do not project a beam.

Would also seem to make illuminated reticles illegal as well.

??

[Bob33]

Still curious - not stirring the pot.  Per the WAC the IR device cannot be "capable of projecting a beam onto the target".

I believe typical thermal imaging devices are passive, i.e. not projecting anything, simply receiving IR energy.  That said they do require signal processing, i.e. batteries to operate.   

https://www.atncorp.com/howthermalimagingworks

Am I right in thinking you can't have anything powered on your rifle?  I'm a bow guy and that is the case for us. 

If so the battery aspect would make an IR scope illegal, but an IR  monocular/binocular would be fine as they are not mounted to your weapon and do not project a beam.

Would also seem to make illuminated reticles illegal as well.

??

There is nothing explicitly illegal about having battery powered devices on a rifle. Illuminated reticles are legal.

It is illegal to hunt with any artificial light which is interpreted as an artificial light which increases visibility of the animal being hunted: flashlights, headlights, streetlights, etc.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow. For purposes of this section, "night vision equipment" includes electronic light amplification devices, thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment used to enhance night vision.

[Bob33]

If you "finding game" and not hunting they are completely legal.

correct, that would be spotlighting.  (the thread title is "legal to hunt with")


Now, can you spotlight while concealed carry?

I'm not sure why the type of firearm would matter. The RCW specifies "in possession and control of a firearm".

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.450

(1) A person is guilty of spotlighting big game in the second degree if the person hunts big game with the aid of a spotlight, other artificial light, or night vision equipment while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or cross bow. For purposes of this section, "night vision equipment" includes electronic light amplification devices, thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment used to enhance night vision.

[MR5x5]

Thanks Bob.  That wording is different than the wording above and makes it pretty clear that IR devices are not allowed while in the act of hunting.

[IA42]

Legal to use rangefinders with infrared  but other equipment is a no go for deer and elk

https://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/69/Can+I+use+laser+sights+or+night+vision+devices+to+hunt%3F

Ah, ok, so I could use it for finding grouse or even for moose hunting legally.  That clears up some of the confusion. Maybe the reason they told me it was legal is the assumption that it's legal for some things but not all.