If you want to put down a lot of coyotes, chances are you’ll have to do it at night. To do that, you need the best thermal scope you can get. It is not uncommon to put shots on coyotes at over 100 yards, so a good thermal scope is a must if you want to make consistent shots.
Coyotes are smart, adaptable predators that have learned to avoid human activity during daylight hours. Most successful coyote hunters know that the real action happens after dark when these crafty animals come out to hunt. That’s where thermal scopes come in – they give you a serious advantage by detecting heat signatures in complete darkness, cutting through camouflage, and working in any weather conditions.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about thermal scopes and show you our top recommendations for coyote hunting. Whether you’re a seasoned predator hunter looking to upgrade your gear or a newcomer trying to figure out where to start, we’ve got you covered.
Quick Buying Recommendations
New to Thermal Scopes? Start with the ATN Thor LT ($900+). It’s affordable, reliable, and perfect for learning the ropes without breaking the bank. You’ll get solid performance at a price that won’t make you nervous about taking it into the field.
Best Bang for Your Buck? Go with the ATN Thor 4 2.5-25x ($3,600+). This scope hits the sweet spot between features, image quality, and price. It’s our top pick for most hunters who want serious performance without paying premium prices.
Money No Object? The Trijicon REAP-IR 35mm ($7,999) delivers the absolute best image quality available. If you’re serious about coyote hunting and want the clearest, crispest thermal image possible, this is your scope.
Need Maximum Range? The Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 ($3,750+) offers incredible detection distances up to 1,800 yards. Perfect for open country hunting where coyotes might be spotted at extreme ranges.
Want Something Compact? The AGM Global Vision Varmint LRF ($3,250+) packs serious performance into a lightweight package. Great for hunters who value mobility or want to mount it on multiple rifles.
By Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
View all of Michael Crites's posts.
