Posted byEthan QuinMarch 20, 2025

Last Updated: March 20, 2025

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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Oregon authorities are dealing with the increasing use of thermal imaging devices in illegal hunting activities. These devices, which detect heat signatures, give hunters an unfair advantage by making animals visible in darkness or through cover.

“When you look at them through a thermal scope, they’re going to glow white or red, or whatever the settings are, and just, no matter the brush, no matter if they’re crouched down, hiding, and tall grass, whatever, they’re just going to stick out and glow like a candle out there,” said Mathew Vargas, a wildlife biologist with Oregon Fish and Wildlife’s Rogue District.

The use of thermal imaging scopes is prohibited in Oregon. “There’s no hunting at nighttime to begin with,” Vargas said. He added that the technology undermines fair chase, a principle valued by both the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the hunting community.

Vargas said that wildlife has adapted to the environment with camouflage and other natural defenses. Thermal imaging disrupts these adaptations. “It causes an unfair advantage for people at that point,” Vargas said.

Enforcement of the ban on thermal imaging is challenging. Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers must catch individuals in the act of using the devices for illegal hunting. “It’s not illegal for somebody just to have a thermal imaging scope and go look for wildlife,” Vargas noted.

Vargas said it is up to the hunting community in reporting suspected illegal activity. “There’s a lot of benefits to having the hunter community be on our side and give us tips and information and call things in that look suspicious,” he said.

Vargas believes the issue is present throughout the state. “My guess is, it’s an issue everywhere, and it’s just a matter of finding the people doing it,” he said.

Illegal use of thermal imaging is sometimes associated with other offenses, such as spotlighting at night, trespassing, or other poaching activities. In December, Oregon state police arrested 13 individuals during recent operation in Clackamas County for illegally using thermal imaging devices to hunt big game. Officials seized 14 infrared thermal imaging devices along with a rifle and four deer, after months of investigation.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone.