One of the best times to hunt coyotes is at night. After all, these predators are more active after dark. The chances of a coyote searching for food is significantly higher when you are calling for them at night. And keep in mind, you will need a night vision or thermal scope in order to go for a night coyote-hunting quest. A night vision scope lets you see in the dark. A high-quality night vision scope can let you see coyotes up to 1,000 yards away on a dark night. However, if you’re looking for the best scopes for night hunting coyotes, you’ll quickly discover that there are numerous options available. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 4 best scopes for hunting coyotes at night.
Related: Best Shotguns for Coyote Hunting: Ranked and Reviewed
4 Best Scopes for Hunting Coyotes at Night
I spent a lot of time researching to narrow down this selection to the finest of the best scopes for hunting coyotes at night for a variety of price points. And I have no hesitation in recommending them to you. Please let me know in the comments, if I missed your favorite or if you believe there is a superior option to one on the list. With that being said let’s round up the 5 best scopes for hunting coyotes at night, you could buy without breaking the bank.
1. ATN Thor LT
ATN Thor LT scopes are the next generation of thermal scopes. Powered by ATN’s Obsidian IV Dual Core, these scopes provide higher thermal sensitivity, improved contrasts, a near-silent shutter, and improved resolution. In my personal opinion, ATN ThOR LT Smart Thermal Riflescope is a must-have sight, if you want to hunt coyotes at night. It comes jam-packed with all of the features you’ve come to expect from an ATN Smart scope. And yet it is so simple to use and learn. This thermal scope allows you to concentrate on what really matters with minimal effort, making things as simple as possible. ATN breaks the price barrier of thermal vision with revolutionary technologies used in ThOR LT production. It detects animal body heat through crops or fog and produces a sharp image without the use of visible light.
All in all, it is an excellent thermal scope for 0-150 yards. It does not include a scope mount, which is a good thing if you don’t want to pay for an ATN scope mount. I’m using a GG&G quick detach and it’s fantastic. Keep in mind, you need around 3.75 inches between the rings for a one-piece mount, which limits you to higher-end mounts like Bobro and GG&G.
2. Sightmark Wraith Night Vision Riflescope
Sightmark wraith Night Vision Digital Riflescope is one of the best scopes at this price point for hunting coyotes at night. It comes with an advanced 1920×1080 HD sensor, providing full-color clarity in either daytime or nighttime. You can switch to night mode with classic emerald or black and white viewing options by simply clicking on the left arrow. Furthermore, the wraith comes with a removable 850nm IR illuminator to provide an enhanced nighttime image and accurate target acquisition up to 200 yards. You can also customize your riflescope with 10 reticle options and 9 color choices to fit your needs. A whopping 4. 5-hours of battery life with 4 common AA batteries and an external MicroUSB port expands options for power. Additionally, wraiths also allow video recording and export. Priced at just $470, you simply can’t go wrong with this.
I’ve had it for a week and have experimented with it both during the day and at night, and I’m impressed with almost all of the functionalities. I currently have it mounted on my custom .308. At this price point, I must admit that I was skeptical. Mounting and setup were simple and quick. Two bullets were zeroed in. Make sure to bore-sight your rifle first to ensure you’re on paper. Before I bore sighted it, mine was pointed at the next county. I was completely wrong.
I knew the IR illuminator that came with this product wasn’t going to be enough for my 500+ yard needs. Therefore, I purchased a massive 650-yard illuminator that runs on either a single 18650 rechargeable or an external lithium battery pack (Uniquefire T75 850nm). A one-inch Picatinny riser was also required to be installed on top of the scope. For both the scope and the illuminator, I used an Anker 18w 20k amp, and guess what? So far, I’ve had perfect digital clarity out to 600 yards. After all-night use, the battery did not suffer any damage. After a box of shells, it holds zero beautifully.
3. Nightowl Optics Digital Night Vision
Nightowl optics are the kings when it comes to highly efficient yet economical scopes for hunting coyotes at night. NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope has perfectly addressed the need for a low-cost, yet high-quality night vision rifle scope for coyote hunting. I know it is designed for any predator hunters and shooting enthusiasts, but for me, it is just perfect for coyote hunting at night. This scope helps you see in the dark at distances greater than any other night vision scope priced anywhere near the NightShot. All in all, NightShot is the night scope for you if you want a low-cost, lightweight, polymer-construction, easy-to-use night scope for coyote hunting.
Oh, and did I tell you that one of the cross-bolts has a flat spot? These can be reversed to work in different mounts, particularly “weaver mounts” with varying slot spacing.
I had serious reservations about purchasing this scope for my coyote hunting quest at night. It’s Generation-I technology, has only X 3 magnification, and costs $399. For that price, how good can a night vision coyote hunting scope be? I ordered the scope and tried it out last night and was completely blown away! I mounted it on my 300blackout and began shooting from 50 yards away; it only took a couple of shots to get it to hit where I wanted.
I then moved to 100 yards and was able to hit the target’s center with ease. The visibility provided by this scope is quite impressive! I could easily hit a target from 200 yards away. I was so pleased with my purchase that I couldn’t wait to recommend it to you guys. If you want the best bang for your buck, I highly recommend this scope for coyote hunting at night!
4. ATN X-sight 4K Pro
ATN X-sight 4k Pro is the recent innovation from the company that brought you the digital hunting experience. The X-sight seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology with a more traditional scope to give coyote hunters the best experience from both worlds. Additionally, the X-sight pro comes packed with new features and technologies. The best thing about this scope is that it is powered by a Dual-Core processor and a low-light 4K sensor. This is perfect for coyote hunting at night.
Furthermore, the X-Sight 4K looks and feels exactly like a traditional optic. There are rings for standard mounting. The eye-relief is extended. And the best yet, high resolution and fast viewing make sure there is no pixelation when you zoom in. So much eloquent and simplicity on the outside, yet pure power on the inside. Try it; you won’t be disappointed.
Final Thoughts on Best Scopes for Night Hunting Coyotes
The NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope is our current overall favorite economical night vision scope for coyote hunting at night. It is a high-end modern scope with a 52mm lens, 3X magnification, and a field of view of up to 5.6 degrees. The Nightowl optics also has excellent pricing at just $400, making it ideal for anyone who wants to get into the night hunting quest.
