A Whistle a Day with the Thermal at Play

Join me as I set up a Thermal Scope on the little Lithgow LA101 .22WMR followed by a quick walk in the afternoon to try and whistle in a fox. When darkness arrives the Thermal comes out to play.
THIS IS A HUNTING VIDEO. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

[@chrisp3677]

The cinematography and editing in your clips is very good Steve, you can see the effort you put into all your videos and it's greatly appreciated by all that watch them.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks a ton Chris. Always nice to know these videos are appreciated.

[@regsparkes6507]

When we stop and think, there's a fair bit of work in making a video like this, isn't there? This one was most enjoyable, and productive too. Thanks again for this one Steve!

[@BoltActionProductions]

You could say that mate. Nice to know many realise that it’s not just raw footage that magically pops out of a camcorder onto KZbin. Thanks again for your support👍👍

[@MrBHuntingDownUnder]

I thought i was the only one who said ""Sorry buddy" after shooting stuff :) great video, well done

[@BoltActionProductions]

I have many sayings and most of the time I don't even know why I come out with them🤣😂. Glad you enjoyed the video mate. Thanks for dropping by.

[@adamperre4852]

Great job 22 mag is so underated I think it's a great little caliber well done

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Adam. The 22Mag has been re-invented with the better ammo on offer nowadays. Certainly impressing me so far. Thanks for watching.

[@AustralianShootingChannel]

Cracker footage there mate! well done on the production of this one. Appreciate the effort you put in to it!!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Many thanks my friend! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Kearnesy]

Awsome video mate certainly looks like a game changer with the thermal

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. Having various options when you are hunting/shooting is always a positive and this will certainly allow us to eliminate some of those light shy foxes. I hope you are traveling well. Thanks again for watching.

[@beneast5216]

awesome video mate, amazed at the infiray monocular picture quality 👍🏼

[@BoltActionProductions]

The recorded image isn't as good as what you see through the eyepiece either. Thanks for watching.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Very professional mate. Love your work.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thank you very much mate. Nice to know it is appreciated. Take care.

[@slow_diver]

Super! Very enthralling. The thermal splatter was the icing on the cake.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thank you very much mate. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@joeocallaghan4129]

Nice one brother. Loved the production. Something about the package had me feeling as though I was along for the stroll and I guess that’s what you’re chasing so well done as always 🙏🏼 keep it coming brother many thanks as always.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it Joe. It's always great to hear feedback like this. Cheers mate.

[@ShoulderRollJason]

This channel needs way more subs!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate but that is beyond my control and up to those that view to share. Appreciate the support and thanks for watching.

[@chrisjohnson38]

Great vid Steve, you just made my morning, thanks for sharing.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris. Thanks again for your support.

[@liamofaolian]

Subscribed! I've watched a few of your videos and also enjoyed them but today's video was on another level, absolutely fantastic. Looking forward to more. Thank you

[@BoltActionProductions]

Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoyed this video mate and I hope you enjoy your stay.

[@bearlyawake3904]

Cheers for another great production.🍻 Always enjoy them.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Much appreciated mate. Thanks again for your support.

[@gerryaarts6572]

Good to see you back I enjoyed your show as always

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Gerry. It is great to be back out hunting again.

[@sammyjames9743]

Brilliant work once again! Great content!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Always great to see your name pop up. I hope you are travelling well👍👍

[@sammyjames9743]

@@BoltActionProductions yes im kicking along ok. I hope you are rugged up today mate!

[@rickfletcher8422]

Awesome footage with that setup also, look forward to more of this!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Rick👍 We'll see how we go.

[@cato7669]

That was awesome stuff mate, I've been hanging to watch it!! Another great thing about the thermal is the when your fox does a runner after its shot, you can still easily find it! I reckon I've lost a few that I've shot and have done the bolt afterwards, not any more though 😉🦊💥👍👍

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. The thermal monocular would have certainly helped me find many a downed animal when spotlighting years ago.

[@willandra04]

Fabulous video, Steve. What is responsible for the huge reduction in rabbit numbers? Calici, baiting, warren ripping etc. They are scarce here as well but are starting to make a comeback.

[@BoltActionProductions]

What is responsible? You summed it up spot on with your three words. The combination of those three and the last release of the Calici really dropped the numbers by 95% plus. As you mention, they are resilient.

[@justinwhite2547]

Great work as always Robbo, thermals are definitely a game changer, I didn’t realise that you can still get a bounty on foxes Thanks again cheers

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Thermal is certainly a great option in the right circumstances. The bounty is on and off all the time so I always take the scalps.

[@andrewallason4530]

Awesome job, mate. Love blasting bunnies and feral cats on my farms. Fortunately we don’t have foxes in Tassie, but I would love to get a couple some day. I just bought my first DNV scope today, a Sightmark Wraith 4-32 as the surviving bunnies and cats have either wised to my erstwhile daytime hunting limits, or just being the long winter nights, have avoided my light. Hopefully not for long. Happy hunting, fellas.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Andrew. There is something special about just walking around busting 🐰. Glad you enjoyed this one mate and all the best for your Fox quest👍👍

[@clintt4754]

Thanks Steve, another great vid from out in the paddock it's hard to believe that the place had so many rabbits not that many years ago. Looks like you enjoyed your self though. 👍

[@BoltActionProductions]

I use to be able to go out there and get a dozen rabbits under 15 minutes many years ago. The last virus release has certainly knocked them over but they are resilient becoming more nocturnal to help their survival. Well that was until the thermal kicked in.

[@pigdogkara]

Well done Steve, I really enjoyed watching you in the thermal frame hunting and not just the kill shot. Very creative. Keep up the great work mate. Regards George.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers George. I always try and create a perspective that puts the viewer amongst the action. It doesn’t always work but now and then you get lucky. Thanks again for watching 👍👍

[@tonygillahan]

Great stuff mate. I can tell a bloody lot of work went into this video, you nailed it mate 👌

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks again mate. I had a bit of time on my hands that day so didn't mind making a few extra moves with the camera's. Not sure if I would be up for doing that all the time though. Take care, talk soon.

[@tonygillahan]

@@BoltActionProductions haha yeah I could imagine mate! Have to catch up for a beer soon 🍻

[@rodmcleod3072]

Hey Robbo... Great video... Thanks. Nailed a couple off the Silva a week or two ago... Great pelts, dog and a vixen. 35mts and 160. Love winter whistling.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Rod. Nice work work with the whistle.

[@oncall21]

An excellent video Steve in editing and shooting! Production like all of your video's is excellent. I've just recently put my 17HMr aside and I've found an as new CZ 452 ,22 Magnum and it's off having the trigger worked and I've floated the barrel and bedded the action for what it's worth. Now to see what it likes to be fed. Thanks for sharing!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Most will know I have had a bit of a love hate relationship with my .17HMR and as such it is also relegated to the back of the safe for a while to give its bigger brother a good testing before I see which I prefer. Hopefully your little CZ will be a shooter. Take care and thanks again for watching.

[@chenderson4969]

Nothing quite like a Rimfire on small game, absolutely love that style of hunting. We took a couple of really healthy bunnies last trip out to my cousins cattle stud and the little back straps and boned out back legs was as good as any chicken you’ll buy, ended up doing some southern fried bunny with an unexciting coating mix from the local supermarket. Should have jammed the freezer full and even convinced the misso to have a crack and she really enjoyed it too. Soaked in milk for 24hrs before a shallow fry. Great thing is minimal meat loss and doesn’t scare everything out of the district with the first touch of the trigger. Nicely done robbo, great to bowl over some foxes too mate. Farmer would be pleased with that.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Spot on mate. There's something special about hunting with the little rimfires. Maybe it's just nostalgia but I really enjoy it. Sounds like you have that bunny cooking down pat. The best part about knocking over those two foxes was that they were both big dog's that would have done a lot of damage over the coming months. Thanks again for watching.

[@chenderson4969]

@@BoltActionProductions have a crack next time you bag a couple mate but hard to beat a rabbit pie or stew I have to admit! Are you able to remind me what brand of shooting sticks you’re using in the video please?

[@rodgeorge7244]

Nice bit of underground mutton there Robbo make a few nice feeds and the thermal scope certainly does the job keep up the good work .

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Rod. The bunnies have certainly gone nocturnal to survive but it's a bit of a catch 22. Love to hunt them but the farmers really need them gone. Thanks again for dropping by.

[@speakupriseup4549]

Great video, always enjoy watching Aussie hunting content.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. I too love watching all the other Aussie content on the Tube.

[@wayneatkinson9465]

Top effort dude, got to be a lot to putting these videos together, well done.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Much appreciated Wayne. It can be a bit time consuming but always nice to hear they are appreciated. I hope you and the family are traveling well mate. Thanks again for dropping by.

[@drovercamping4wd]

Great footage and editing as always Steve!! Ive always loved the 22WMR for small game, packs enough punch for clean kills and doesn’t make enough noise to scare everything away, the 30gr Vmax pills in any 22WMR I’ve tried are extremely accurate too.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. I haven’t owned a 22Mag for about 20 years and the choice of ammunition now has certainly reinvented this little cartridge. Really enjoying it so far. Stay well mate and thanks again for watching👍

[@drovercamping4wd]

@@BoltActionProductions yep totally agree, the 22 magnum was never known for accuracy, but now there’s about 4 different brands that will reliably shoot 1moa 10 shot groups at 100m that I’ve found, I dont bother with owning a 22LR now

[@simonmaracich6583]

Great video mate Thankyou

[@BoltActionProductions]

My pleasure mate. Thanks for watching 👍

[@robincoker225]

beauty Steve great footage/editing as the norm. not wrong a very effective tool for it`s job

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Thermal is certainly a good tool to have in the arsenal when it comes to vermin control.

[@hankbraff1135]

Good day Steve , I just bought a CZ 457 22LR, I put a Leupold Freedom 3x9x40 rimfire MO scope on it for rabbits, and do you think I can find any bloody rabbits, scarce as hens teeth down our way now, great to see you got a feed of bunnies love the footage thanks for taking us along on this one.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Great little rifle mate and certainly up for the job of busting bunnies. I never thought I’d see the day that rabbit numbers were so low but I am also certain they will bounce back. Stay well mate.

[@rouseyjones331]

Great video

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. Thanks for watching.

[@iboyamr1]

Awesome video, great to see the thermal in action!!! Would love to get out for a whistle with you sometime

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Ian. You never know mate, nothing is ever off the table. Thanks again for watching.

[@robbiefishing]

Oh WOW that is so awesome. Definitely a toy I need. Haha

[@BoltActionProductions]

It certainly adds another dimension to vermin control. Don’t blame me for adding to your list of toys 😂🤣 and it probably won’t be a good idea showing your old man😂😂. Stay well mate. Talk soon👍👍

[@davidmillard2236]

Top job 👍👌👌

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Dave. Glad you like it👍

[@richardhatfield2536]

Great video my friend,

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. I hope you are getting back into it yourself. Talk soon and thanks again for watching.

[@richardhatfield2536]

@@BoltActionProductions out last weekend sat Sunday no cigar but good walking around again, rain up ne has made stalking good again, reckon deer thinking after another lockdown, where are all the people, at this stage of year we are normally dunking and weaving, next weekend hoping

[@pippaknuckle]

Very impressive. Do you ever see feral cats, I always hear they are a destructive vermin and in growing numbers?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks and yes we do. Certain areas often have a litter or two that pop up every now and then. The feral cats will also come to the whistle. Thanks for watching.

[@AHPOutdoors]

Smashing the foxes. Well done mate.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Jason. It was good to get out and get a couple. Take care mate and enjoy your lock down.

[@pauljay1328]

Great vid

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Paul. Always great to know these videos are enjoyed 👍

[@stanlong-rangepensionerman3363]

I’m impressed with that mate

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Stan. Great to get some positive feedback.

[@Maxflight9]

Great job on the foxes.... Thermals are the future :D

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Thermals certainly have their place

[@cyclo360]

Mate ,when it comes to shooting bunnies during the day I feel your pain. I got 3 yesterday with the. 22lr , in six trips that's 4 Bunnies. IMO, the .22mag certainly does not take a back seat to the 17HMR, it's a top little varmint round as you have just proved on film. Congrats on the Bunnies and Foxes, I have been looking forward to watching your vid all day and wasnt disappointed. I must get me one of those thermal thingos .... atb, Sean.

[@BoltActionProductions]

I shouldn’t say I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling the pain with low rabbit numbers but I certainly miss busting bunnies. 17HMR? Love hate relationship for me. Better rabbit gun than Fox gun IMO and this little 22WMR is certainly winning me over very quickly. Thermals are certainly worth looking into but confusing with what’s on offer in reality

[@cyclo360]

@@BoltActionProductions What's the brand and model of your thermal scope?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Infiray SCT35

[@cyclo360]

@@BoltActionProductions Ta mate👍

[@thomasevans8826]

Thanks Steve, another great video. How do you find swapping scopes over? Getting some thermal gear soon and would be great to not have to drag out a second gun. I love the production quality of your videos. Thanks for putting the effort

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Thomas. Swapping the scopes over isn't an issue if you have good QR mounts.

[@shanegibb997]

Excellent Steve ... I'm in the market for a night vision scope to put on my 223 , just for foxes , was looking at a ATN hd .. Talk about rabbits , there over run down here !

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Shane. Look at all your options if you get a chance as there are many choices now but these are constantly changing with new brands popping up all the time.

[@shanegibb997]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks Steve , I'm not in any rush at the moment , I'll keep doing my homework on different ones.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

Might have to start treating the rabbits as game animals and just take enough for the pot .

[@BoltActionProductions]

À much as I miss hunting/shooting them our job is still to knock over everyone we see.

[@michaelp1856]

Are those the standard mounts that come with it? Impressive that you don’t need to re-sight it after re-mounting. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@BoltActionProductions]

Yes they are mate and so far it is holding true. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@andrewroberts553]

Your Looking a bit swarthy ! Great vid again thanks for your efforts

[@BoltActionProductions]

Just call me Darky Johnson. I’m certainly no pin up boy 🤣😂. Thanks for watching👍

[@dom8420]

The stump at 9:51 looks like a huge rabbit😂 Do you eat the rabbits you shoot or feed them to your dog? Best white meat around I recon👍 Beautiful video as always mate, made my day!

[@BoltActionProductions]

I personally am not a big fan of rabbit but I don’t mind a 3/4 grown one cooked over the fire. Other than that my dogs always loved them. Glad you enjoyed the video my friend👍👍

[@axemansfishingadventures]

Great video, loved it. So does the Saim SCT 35 have the capabilities to video the footage? And you had a different camera to video yourself, what was that? Thanks Rob

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. The SCT35 records video internally at a lower resolution and the recorded output is certainly of lower quality than what you see through the viewfinder. The video recording has no audio so you need to use an external recorder if you want audio. Video during the day was recorded on a GH5 and at night I was using a GoPro Hero 9.

[@axemansfishingadventures]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks mate, much appreciated.

[@garytrigg-graynoth4034]

Nice job Steve and great to see another video from yourself👍 hows the Lithgow going? Im looking at a 17 hmr atm or a CZ, thoughts on the Lithgow? Tia👍

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Gary. The Lithgow is going well with the only modification being a change of trigger spring. The Lithgow is a bit on the heavy side in comparison to some others but if weight isn't an issue it is a cracker of a rifle being extremely accurate. I am also interested to see the new Bergara rimfire actioned rifles coming out soon. These will also be available with a carbon wrapped barrel.

[@garytrigg-graynoth4034]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks for the feedback Steve it’s much appreciated 👍 is that a heavy barrel in the Lithgow? Looks like a new rifle on its way…. Only decision now is wood or synthetic?????

[@paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674]

Ps..who is the extra cameraman 😊🇦🇺🐁

[@BoltActionProductions]

All filmed by me alone brother 🤗

[@michaelcaporale2268]

Awesome Steve, looking at a thermal unit myself, that’s the Infiray Siam SCT 35 yeah? Which scanner or monocular are you using? Great stuff and thanks again Cheers Michael

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Michael and yes mate the scope is a Infiray Siam SCT35. The scanner is a Infiray E6+ V2.0. Thanks for watching.

[@robertstojcevski1098]

That's some nice shooting!!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. It certainly helps to get the job done very efficiently.

[@robertstojcevski1098]

@@BoltActionProductions was that .22 mag? Your thoughts between 22mag and 17hmr? Cheers

[@BoltActionProductions]

Yes mate, 22mag Lithgow LA101. The 17HMR certainly shoots a little flatter and faster but not enough for me to want to go back to it over this 22Mag which really has been re-invented with some of the new ammo availability. The .22Mag with a wider range of projectile weights certainly makes it more versatile IMO.

[@robertstojcevski1098]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks for your reply I have both the 22 mag and 17hmr, I only bought 17, cos a mate of mine had one and recons my cz 22 can't shoot the distance, I went out with him one time and the distances he was shooting at my little cz 22lr would've done the job no problem, cheers thanks again keep up the good work👍👍

[@steeevo0136]

Hey Steve, loving the vids, but sorry to tell you that @ 0.34 you appear to be suffering a case of hotarsecrackitis . . . unless you spilled your coffee ? 🤣

[@BoltActionProductions]

Excretions appear quite often with thermal🤣😂

[@steeevo0136]

@@BoltActionProductions I did give you an escape route with the coffee :-)

[@BlueTJay]

Nice to see, and not be seen. Very professional video-ing! At the rate you are shooting, you will run out of bullet soon!

[@BoltActionProductions]

It certainly is a "Game Changer" for us traditional spotlighters. Glad you enjoyed this one Tom. Certainly no chance of me running out of ammo.....

[@BlueTJay]

Mate, getting .22 lr and wmr very hard, but reloading components slowly coming on track. Got my first 2 pounds 4831SC after 8 months waiting. I had to round up some .223 brass from a shooting range, very little bras on shelves.. I spoke to Nosler the other day, and they hope to be back on track after xmas.. Found 2 x 20 Nosler accubond 130 gr for my .270 and cost me $65 per box... Generally prices are still 15-20% above normal. Hornady are loading shelves with .22 .24 and .27 bullets in limited weights, as is Sierra. Other still slow. The stores are putting on shelves what sells very slow, just to show stock. But, its improving slowly.. I generally shop where law enforcement get their supplies.. Stay well, hello to Matias, hope he is doing OK!

[@BoltActionProductions]

I am certainly glad I stocked up when I did. Stay well mate, stay safe.

[@andyoutback6336]

Hey Steve any chance of getting a link to the thermal scope you have? And great job on another awsome video!!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks again Andy. Glad you enjoyed this video. As I don't have any affiliation with the scope suppliers I really can't recommend any one location to buy. The pricing also varies so much. I would suggest doing a search for "Infiray SCT35" to find out more. Good luck as it is literally like opening up Pandora's box when you start delving into this thermal gear and I am far from any expert.

[@andyoutback6336]

That's what I've found as well and didn't want to commit to buying one without seeing one in action first. Thanks for the tips !

[@jameshohmann535]

Nice videos mate. How much time Do I like to Give a spot when whistling ?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Depending on location usually no more than 15 minutes

[@thaireesj41]

Great video! Can I ask why you scalped the foxes? Thanks.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Adrian. In Victoria there is often a $10 bounty run for fox scalps.

[@joshuabertram2425]

awesome video robbo p.s are you selling the hoodie?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Josh. Not at this stage as that was just a prototype but possibly in the future when I am happy with the design.

[@mfromaustralia1]

Ha ha Steve, you shouldn't talk about camcorders, or the kids will think your first car was a horse and buggy.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Yep, things have certainly changed and to be honest, being back on a horse and buggy wouldn't be such a bad thing when you look at what is going on in the world at present.

[@kycania2046]

Hi, the shooting sticks you have what are they and where are they sold. Thanks I enjoy the vids

[@BoltActionProductions]

G'day mate. The Shooting Sticks we use are no longer manufactured. They were made by Stoney Point and were actually called shooting stix. Primos and Cabelas sell similar. Thanks for watching.

[@Ren-qp5dt]

Hi Steve , entertaining video, thanks, what model is your Siam scope and what type of money are they asking for it , cheers from Wagga

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it Ren. Infiray SCT35. Prices vary but you will most likely be looking upwards of 3K.

[@Ren-qp5dt]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks Steve , appreciate your info, cheers

[@payres48]

You and Leigh always scalp foxes you shoot, is there a bounty on them in Victoria?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Yes mate. $10 for foxes and $120 for wild dogs

[@ExploretheMallee]

What whistle are you using? Cheers!

[@BoltActionProductions]

In this video I was using the T2 whistle. You can buy them here. foxcalls.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=72 Thanks for watching and good luck with your fox calling👍👍

[@ExploretheMallee]

@@BoltActionProductions thanks for the super quick reply! I'll grab one now :)