Some animals such as coyotes, squirrels, and red foxes are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Thus if you want to hunt these animals, you need to do it at night. The only problem is that visibility at night is usually very low, which dramatically reduces your chances of landing a shot.
And this is where night vision technology comes in to even the odds. However, before you go out with your night vision crossbow scope or rifle scope, it is essential to know whether hunting with night vision is allowed in your state.
Laws regarding the use of night vision scopes for nighttime hunting vary from state to state. Here is an overview of each state’s law on night vision equipment for hunting.
Overview Of Where Are Night Vision Goggles Legal and Illegal
Alaska: Generally speaking, night vision equipment, or any other kind of equipment that emits artificial light, are not allowed in Alaska.
Arizona: In Arizona, the use of night-vision equipment is not allowed.
Arkansas: Are night vision goggles legal in Arkansas? The answer is yes, and no. Night vision equipment is allowed for hunting feral hogs only in the state of Arkansas.
California: California also does not allow the use of night-vision gear of any kind for hunting. The ban on night vision gear encompasses night-vision scopes, binoculars, and any other type of device that uses night-vision, infrared technology, or even thermal vision goggles.
Colorado: Provided you have all the necessary night-hunting permits, you can use night vision gear for hunting raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, etc. in Colorado.
Connecticut: In Connecticut, night vision equipment is legal for hunting.
Delaware: The use of night vision equipment is prohibited in Delaware
Florida: Like California, night-vision scopes and goggles are legal in Florida because they do not emit visible light.
Hawaii: Hawaii is one of three states that does not permit night-hunting, and as such, use of night-vision equipment for hunting is prohibited
Georgia: Georgia allows the use of night vision equipment for nigh hunting
Idaho: In Idaho, only two animal species, coyotes and raccoons, can be hunted at night with the aid of night-vision goggles or scopes
Illinois: There are no legal restrictions on the use of night-vision equipment in Illinois
Indiana: In Indiana, the laws on night-vision equipment are a bit complicated. While night vision gear is allowed, it is only if there is a continuously burning light among hunters visible from at least 500 ft away.
Iowa: Iowa is another state where night vision goggles for hunting are allowed only for specific animals. In this case, only raccoons, coyotes, and other fur-bearing animals can be hunted with the aid of night vision gear. Also, this type of equipment is allowed if the hunting is done with the aid of dogs.
Kansas: Use of night-vision equipment is not allowed in Kansas
Kentucky: The use of night-vision equipment is allowed in Kentucky
Louisiana: Louisiana does allow the use of night vision gear provided dogs are involved in the hunt
Maine: Night-time hunting of coyotes with the aid of night-vision goggles is allowed in Maine. However, the same does not apply to the nighttime hunting of raccoons.
Maryland: In Maryland, the use of night vision rifle scopes coyote hunting is permitted, and the same goes for hunting raccoons at night.
Massachusetts: You can use night vision goggles for hunting in Massachusetts on condition that they do project a beam of light.
Michigan: Use of night-vision equipment is allowed in Michigan provided that all night-hunting regulations are followed.
Minnesota: Night vision gear is only permitted for hunting coyotes and foxes
Mississippi: There are no explicit restrictions on the use of night-vision gear, and thus the assumption is that it is legal to use this type of equipment for hunting.
Missouri: Night-vision equipment for night hunting is not allowed in Missouri
Montana: The use of night-vision equipment is allowed
Nebraska: There are no restrictions on the use of night-vision equipment for hunting
Nevada: Nevada is the second state after Hawaii, where night hunting is not allowed, and thus night-vision equipment is also not allowed.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire is another state that does not have any restrictions on the use of night-vision equipment for hunting.
New Jersey: There are no restrictions on the use of night vision equipment in New Jersey.
New Mexico: New Mexico completes the list of states that do not allow night hunting, and as such, night-vision equipment is also not permitted.
New York: The use of night-vision for hunting in New York is allowed
North Carolina: North Carolina does not have any specific restrictions on the use of night vision equipment for night hunting
North Dakota: Use of night vision equipment for hunting coyotes, foxes, beavers, and raccoons is allowed.
Ohio: Coyotes and feral swine can be hunted using night-vision gear but not during the deer season. Also, a white light visible for at least ¼ miles is required when hunting furbearers at night.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma does allow the use of night-vision gear such as laser sights as long as hounds are used.
Oregon: In Oregon, on the other hand, the use of night vision equipment for hunting is not allowed.
Pennsylvania: Night vision equipment may be used for hunting so long as it does not cast a beam of light.
Rhode Island: In Rhode Island, the use of night-vision equipment is not allowed
South Carolina: Only when animals are treed or cornered with dogs is the use of night vision devices allowed.
South Dakota: Use of night vision equipment is permitted in South Dakota, but there are certain restrictions.
Tennessee: Use of night vision equipment is not allowed
Texas: Texas has no restrictions on the use of night vision equipment for hunting animals at night.
Utah: While the use of night-vision equipment is generally accepted in some counties within the state, it is prohibited. It will be wise to contact your local office to familiarize yourself with local laws on night vision gear used.
Vermont: There exist no restrictions on the use of night-vision gear in Vermont. However, laser lights are prohibited.
Virginia: Use of night vision scopes and laser sights is permitted in Virginia.
Washington: Night vision equipment can be used to hunt coyote and raccoons at night except during elk and deer general seasons.
West Virginia: During open seasons, the use of night vision equipment is allowed.
Wisconsin: Night vision equipment is allowed for hunting in Wisconsin
Wyoming: When hunting predators on private land, you are allowed to use night vision equipment in Wyoming.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Hunting Nook.