7 Best Scopes For Hog Hunting At Night That Cut Through Darkness

The sound of snapping twigs and low grunts echoes through the humid night air, but the field ahead is a blanket of pure black. Feral hogs are destructive, and managing their population is a necessary chore that happens long after the sun goes down. To do it safely and effectively, you need to see through that darkness, and that’s where the right optic transforms a guessing game into a precision task.

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ATN ThOR 4 384: The All-Around Thermal Performer

Imagine you’re setting up on a property where shot distances can vary from 50 yards in a creek bottom to 250 yards across a peanut field. You need an optic that can handle both without being overly complicated or prohibitively expensive. This is the sweet spot where the ATN ThOR 4 lives. It’s one of the most popular thermal scopes on the market for a reason: it balances performance, features, and cost effectively.

The ThOR 4’s 384×288 sensor provides clear heat signatures well within typical hog hunting ranges. It’s enough resolution to distinguish a hog from a deer or a coyote, which is a critical safety and management consideration. Where it really stands apart is its onboard tech. Features like a built-in ballistic calculator and one-shot zero make setup easier, while video recording lets you review your shots or share the hunt with friends.

The trade-off for all these features is a bit of a learning curve and increased battery consumption. You’ll want to spend time with the manual and carry a backup power source. But for the hunter who wants a capable, do-it-all thermal scope that won’t completely break the bank, the ThOR 4 is a benchmark performer.

Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro for Ultimate Clarity

You’re glassing a massive, freshly cut cornfield, and you spot a sounder of hogs 400 yards out. You need to not only detect them but also identify the lead sow for a responsible management shot. This scenario demands maximum resolution and clarity, which is the hallmark of the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro.

This scope is built around a powerful 640×480 thermal sensor. That jump in resolution is immediately noticeable, providing a sharper, more detailed image that makes positive identification at longer ranges much easier. It cuts through humidity and light fog better than lower-resolution sensors, giving you a distinct advantage in challenging southern nights. The traditional 30mm tube design also makes it easy to mount on most bolt-action or AR-platform rifles using standard rings.

Of course, this level of performance comes at a premium price. This is a serious investment for a dedicated night hunter or landowner who needs the absolute best image quality. It’s less about flashy extras and all about the raw power of its sensor. If your hunting demands long-range identification and uncompromising clarity, the Thermion 2 is in a class of its own.

AGM Rattler TS35-384: Top Value in Thermal Scopes

Let’s say you’re just getting into night hunting. You’ve been invited on a few hunts, and you’re ready to get your own setup, but you’re not prepared to spend the price of a used car on an optic. You need a reliable tool that will get you in the game and help you put pork on the ground inside 200 yards. The AGM Rattler is your answer.

The Rattler TS35-384 offers a solid 384-resolution thermal sensor in a compact, no-frills package. It delivers a clear image that is more than capable of detecting and identifying hogs at common hunting distances. The controls are simple and intuitive, which is a huge plus when you’re fumbling in the dark. It’s a workhorse designed to do one job—detecting heat—and do it well.

You won’t find the advanced features like video recording or ballistic calculators found on more expensive models. The battery life is also more limited, so carrying spares is essential. But what you get is a tough, effective thermal scope at an incredible value. For the hunter focused on core performance over bells and whistles, the Rattler is arguably the best entry point into the world of thermal optics.

Sightmark Wraith HD: Best Digital Night Vision Entry

Picture this: you’re set up over a feeder that’s just 75 yards from your blind. You know the hogs will be there, but you need to be absolutely certain of your target and what’s behind it. In this situation, the detailed image of digital night vision can be a huge asset, and the Sightmark Wraith HD is a fantastic and affordable way to get it.

Unlike thermal, which sees heat, digital night vision (NV) amplifies available light to create a bright, clear image, much like a high-tech black-and-white video camera. The Wraith provides a crisp HD image that allows you to see details like branches, terrain, and the specific features of an animal. It also works as a full-color scope during the day, making it a versatile 24-hour optic.

The key thing to understand with digital NV is its reliance on an infrared (IR) illuminator—essentially a flashlight that’s invisible to the naked eye but lights up the world for the scope. This works great in clear conditions but can struggle in heavy fog or rain where the IR light reflects back. For close-to-mid-range hunting in known environments, the Wraith HD offers incredible performance for its price.

Trijicon REAP-IR: Professional-Grade Hog Eradicator

When your livelihood or land management program depends on your gear working every single time, without fail, you reach for something built to a different standard. The Trijicon REAP-IR is that tool. It’s engineered for pure, rugged reliability and outstanding thermal performance, reflecting its military and law enforcement pedigree.

The REAP-IR prioritizes a clean, crisp image and intuitive controls above all else. Its thumbstick-based control system is incredibly easy to use with gloves on and without taking your eye off the optic. There are no complicated menus to navigate in the heat of the moment. It’s all about speed, simplicity, and a high-quality thermal core that delivers a sharp image for positive identification.

This is not a feature-heavy scope; you won’t find video recording or complex reticles. It’s also one of the most expensive options available. The investment is in the unmatched durability, made-in-the-USA quality, and the confidence that it will perform in the harshest conditions, year after year. For the professional guide or serious landowner, that peace of mind is worth every penny.

ATN X-Sight 4K Pro: A Feature-Packed Digital Optic

For the tech-savvy hunter who loves customizing their gear and using the latest gadgets, the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro is a digital playground. It takes the concept of digital night vision and loads it with a suite of smart features. It’s perfect for the hunter who wants one optic to handle everything from daytime range sessions to nighttime hog hunts.

The 4K sensor provides a high-resolution image in both day (full color) and night (black and white) modes. But the real story is the integrated technology. It includes a ballistic calculator, a smart rangefinder that can estimate distance to a target, and the ability to stream and record video in high definition. It’s an all-in-one package that can simplify your shooting process once you have it all dialed in.

The primary tradeoff is complexity. With so many features and menus, the initial setup can be time-consuming, and it can be easy to get lost in the settings. Like other digital NV scopes, it relies on an IR illuminator for nighttime use. But if you enjoy technology and want a feature-rich scope that can do it all, the X-Sight 4K Pro offers a ton of capability for the price.

Pulsar Talion XQ38: Compact, User-Friendly Thermal

Imagine you’re stalking through thick woods or moving between different stands over the course of a night. A bulky, heavy scope can become a real liability. The Pulsar Talion XQ38 is designed for these exact scenarios, prioritizing a lightweight, compact, and highly ergonomic design.

The Talion’s most distinctive feature is its control layout. A single control wheel on the top of the eyepiece allows you to navigate all the menus and settings quickly and easily, even in total darkness. This user-friendly approach is a huge benefit when you’re trying to make adjustments on the fly. Despite its small size, it still packs a proven 384-resolution thermal sensor that’s perfect for hunting out to 200-300 yards.

This scope is an excellent choice for hunters who value maneuverability and ease of use. It’s particularly well-suited for AR-platform rifles where keeping weight down is a priority. While it may not have the extreme range of a 640-sensor scope, its blend of performance, portability, and intuitive design makes it a top contender for the active hunter.

Thermal vs. Digital NV: Key Factors for Hog Hunters

Choosing between thermal and digital night vision is the most critical decision you’ll make. Think of it this way: you’re scanning a field with patches of tall grass. A hog could be standing perfectly still inside one of those patches, almost completely obscured. This is where the two technologies diverge.

Thermal imaging sees heat. It doesn’t need any light to work. That hog in the tall grass will glow like a lightbulb, making it incredibly easy to detect. Thermal is the undisputed king of finding animals in the dark, cutting through camouflage, foliage, and even light fog. Its main challenge can be identification—at long range or with a lower-resolution sensor, it can sometimes be hard to be 100% certain of your target.

Digital night vision (NV) amplifies light. It gives you a detailed image of the scene, allowing you to see the grass, the trees, and the animal itself. This makes positive identification much easier. However, it needs an IR illuminator to work in total darkness, and that hog hidden in the grass might be completely invisible if it’s not moving. Heavy rain or fog can also reflect the IR light, effectively blinding the scope.

Here’s the breakdown for your decision:

• For pure detection in any condition: Thermal is superior. You will see any heat-producing animal, period.
• For positive identification at closer ranges: Digital NV often provides a more detailed, recognizable image.
• For hunting in adverse weather: Thermal has a significant advantage, as it is less affected by fog, haze, and rain.
• For budget-conscious hunters: Digital NV is typically the more affordable entry point.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your environment and priorities. If your primary challenge is finding hogs in a large area, start with thermal. If you’re hunting over a known location and need absolute certainty of your target, digital NV is a great option.

The right night vision or thermal scope is a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool. The real magic happens when you get out there, learn the land, and understand the animals you’re pursuing. Don’t get paralyzed by specs; pick the optic that fits your budget and your hunting style, and then go put it to work.