How to Set Up an AR for Hog Hunting at Night
Hog hunting at night has exploded in popularity because it’s not just effective — it’s downright necessary. Feral hogs cause millions of dollars in crop and land damage every year, and they’re most active after sunset. Setting up your AR-15 specifically for nighttime hog hunting gives you a huge advantage: better visibility, more accuracy, and a safer shot in low-light conditions.
Whether you’re in the open fields of Texas or thick Southeastern brush, the right setup can mean the difference between a successful night hunt and a frustrating one. Here’s exactly how to build a reliable, accurate, and rugged AR for after-dark hog control.
1. Choose the Right Caliber
A standard .223/5.56 will work, but hogs are tough animals. If you want instant drops and better blood trails, consider stepping up in caliber.
Recommended Calibers for Hogs:
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.300 Blackout – Quiet, ideal for suppressed night shots, great in heavy brush.
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6.5 Grendel – Superior ballistics at distance; excellent for open fields.
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7.62x39 AR setups – Affordable ammo and proven on medium-game.
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5.56 with bonded or copper ammo – If sticking with 5.56, use hunting-grade bullets.
2. Optics: Red Dot, LPVO, or Thermal?
Night hunting is all about visibility. The optic you choose determines how fast you can acquire targets.
Thermal Optics (Best Option)
Thermal reigns supreme at night. It allows you to spot hogs through brush, fog, shadows, and distance.
- Detects heat signatures instantly
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Works in complete darkness
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Great for scanning + shooting
Night Vision + IR Laser
A popular second choice. Pair a helmet-mounted night vision monocular with an IR laser on your AR.
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Shoot heads-up
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Maintain situational awareness
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IR laser makes quick shots effortless
Red Dot + Weapon Light (Budget Option)
If you’re keeping the setup simple:
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Use a rugged red dot sight with a wide field of view
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Add a 1,000+ lumen white light for positive target identification
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Choose a red dot with a crisp daylight-bright reticle
Try searching for a red dot sight at daggerdefense.com
(This is perfect for your Dagger Defense red-dot customers — fast, lightweight, ideal for close-range hogs.)
3. Illumination: The Most Overlooked Component
Even if you’re running thermal or NV, a weapon light still matters.
Your AR should have:
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A minimum of 1,000 lumens
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A tight hotspot to punch through the darkness
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A pressure switch for fast activation
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IR illuminator if using night vision
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White light for scanning, tracking, or safety
Mount the light at 10 or 2 o’clock for ergonomics and minimal barrel shadow.
4. Suppressors for Night Hog Hunting
A suppressor is a massive advantage when hunting at night:
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Reduces recoil and muzzle flash
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Prevents spooking additional hogs
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Saves your hearing
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Allows for quicker follow-up shots
If you’re using .300 Blackout, suppressed subsonics make for incredibly quiet and effective nighttime shots.
5. Zeroing for Night Hunts
Your zero must match your optic type:
Thermal Optic Zero:
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Zero during the day with a thermal target
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Confirm at night to ensure reticle alignment
Night Vision + IR Laser Zero:
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Co-witness laser to your optic
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Confirm the same point of impact at hunting distances (50–100 yards)
Red Dot + White Light Zero:
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Zero at 50 yards for a versatile trajectory
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Perfect for close-range hog encounters
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Ensures quick target acquisition under stress
6. Essential Accessories for a Night-Ready AR
Bipod or Tripod
Night hunting often involves sitting over fields — stability helps with accuracy.
Silent Sling
You don’t want nylon squeaking when hogs are 20 yards away.
Extended Magazine
Hog sounders move fast — 20–30 rounds gives you staying power.
Quality Handguard
Free-float handguards prevent point-of-impact shifts when using lights or lasers.
Backup Red Dot or Offset Sight
If your thermal or NV goes down, you’re not blind.
7. Thermal Scanner vs Weapon-Mounted Thermal
If you use thermal, consider pairing it with a handheld thermal scanner:
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Quickly scan fields without pointing your rifle around
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Spot hogs before raising your weapon
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Reduce fatigue during long hunts
Many hunters use:
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Handheld thermal for spotting
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Weapon-mounted thermal/NV for shooting
This is the most efficient combo for nighttime hog control.
8. Safety Considerations for Night Hunts
Nighttime visibility changes everything.
Always:
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Identify your target and beyond
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Know the property boundaries
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Expect hogs to charge or move unpredictably
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Have a fully charged light, backup battery, and a secondary navigation light
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Communicate clearly with your hunting partners
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Carry a sidearm if you’re in thick brush
Setting up an AR-15 for hog hunting at night is all about visibility, accuracy, and control. Whether you’re running a thermal setup, night vision with an IR laser, or a budget-friendly red dot and high-output weapon light, the goal is simple: clean, ethical, effective shots in low-light conditions.
With the right optic, illumination, caliber, and accessories, your nighttime hog hunts will be smoother, safer, and far more successful.