Heatsight Optics has compiled a list from all 50 states to confirm the legality of thermal optics for hunting. This ensures that you can confidently use your new thermal riflescope on night hunts without legal issues.
Keep in mind that thermal optics laws vary by state, and it’s always best to check with your local Game Warden before planning a night hunt.
Important Note: It is illegal nationwide to hunt game animals like deer, turkey, elk, and moose at night. The following information covers general thermal optics usage for hunting non-game animals. For specific regulations and updates, please consult your state’s hunting laws.
We DO NOT ship products outside the USA due to regulatory restrictions, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). ITAR governs the export of defense and military-related technologies, including certain optical devices. To comply with these regulations and ensure national security, we can only ship to domestic addresses. We appreciate your understanding.
Legal States:
- Alabama: Legal with a license for hogs and coyotes at night.
- Arkansas: Legal for feral hogs; raccoons if using hunting dogs.
- Connecticut: Legal for raccoons and possums Jan 2 - 21, Oct 21 - Dec 30.
- Delaware: Legal without infrared; no artificial light allowed.
- Florida: Legal; no light emission for hogs, coyotes, raccoons, and possums.
- Georgia: Legal; no restrictions.
- Idaho: Legal if no emitted light.
- Illinois: Legal for specific animals during designated seasons.
- Indiana: Legal with a visible light among hunters.
- Iowa: Legal if no visible light emitted.
- Kansas: Legal with a permit; allowed for coyotes Jan 1 - Mar 31.
- Kentucky: Legal for coyotes with shotguns; artificial light allowed Dec 1 - May 31.
- Louisiana: Legal for hogs and coyotes.
- Maine: Legal for raccoons and coyotes with specific conditions.
- Maryland: Legal if artificial light doesn’t emit visible light; allowed for certain animals.
- Massachusetts: Legal without visible light; night hunting allowed after sunset until midnight.
- Michigan: Legal during nighttime hours for specific animals.
- Minnesota: Legal for fox or coyotes during the hunting season.
- Mississippi: Legal for specific animals on private land.
- Missouri: Legal for coyotes Feb 1 - Mar 31.
- Montana: Legal for coyotes and unregulated animals.
- Nebraska: Legal for furbearers and coyotes.
- New Hampshire: Legal; no restrictions.
- New Jersey: Legal; no restrictions.
- New York: Legal during nighttime hours for specific animals.
- North Carolina: Legal; no restrictions.
- North Dakota: Legal for coyotes and foxes.
- Ohio: Legal for specific animals during nighttime hours.
- Oklahoma: Legal for coyotes and feral hogs.
- Pennsylvania: Legal; no restrictions.
- Rhode Island: Legal for raccoons; limited rifle use.
- South Carolina: Legal for hogs, coyotes, and armadillos.
- South Dakota: Legal on private land with conditions.
- Texas: Legal; no restrictions.
- Vermont: Legal as thermal does not emit IR light.
- Virginia: Legal during nighttime hours for specific animals.
- Washington: Legal for coyotes outside of deer/elk season.
- West Virginia: Legal for coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and more.
- Wisconsin: Legal for small game like coyotes and raccoons.
- Wyoming: Legal for predators on public land with permission.
Illegal States:
- Alaska: Illegal; restrictions on night vision, thermal, and remote devices.
- Arizona: Illegal; night vision, thermal, and laser sights banned.
- California: Illegal; all night vision and thermal devices banned.
- Colorado: Illegal; no night vision or thermal outside hunting hours.
- Hawaii: Illegal; no night hunting allowed.
- Nevada: Illegal; no night hunting allowed.
- New Mexico: Illegal; no night hunting allowed.
- Oregon: Illegal; all night vision and thermal banned.
- Tennessee: Illegal; no night hunting allowed.
- Utah: Illegal; night vision, thermal, and trail cameras banned.