The various forms of wild boar hunting, from traditional post and driven hunts to selective game and wildlife population control, alternate and complement each other across different environments and seasons to maintain balance and control over a species that, as is well known by now, is not only a resource for enthusiasts, but in many cases also a problem due to the damage the Sus Scrofa can cause to agricultural crops and, above all, the clear danger it poses to road traffic and the spread of zoonotic diseases like African swine fever.
all4hunters.com editors Franco and Fabio have travelled to the beautiful highlands of northern Lazio region in Central Italy, where the presence of wild hogs is massive, on a warm summer evening. Waiting for us was Luca Basilischi, Marketing Director of HIKMicro Italy and a passionate hunter. We were there to learn about the features of the new Stellar 3.0 digital thermal riflescope — and what better opportunity than a nighttime hunt?
Wild boar hunting with the Stellar 3.0
In the afternoon, we split up to do a final reconnaissance of the hunting areas, and the signs of night time activity left little doubt about the presence of wild boars. By sunset, we were already set up at our assigned post, setting up a tripod which Fabio will use to support the bolt-action rifle chambered in 7x64mm Brenneke, on which Luca had mounted and zeroed the Stellar 3.0 riflescope in the flagship SX60 variant. We carefully evaluated wind direction, cover and vegetation, choosing a sheltered spot to take position, remaining silent with a good view over some fallow fields near the ravaged vineyards and corn crops, that the hog we are trying to catch has been raiding at night. Fabio had already tested the rifle for operation, safety and trigger feedback in advance.
With the rifle loaded and on safe, minutes passed slowly, with Fabio scanning the field with the Stellar while me and Luca used HIKMicro’s Habrok Pros and 4k binoculars. A stunning sunset, followed by a colorful and objectively beautiful dusk followed – and we were graced by great weather. The sharpness and detail offered by the riflescope allowed us to observe the first animals moving at twilight. Foxes, hunting for small rodents in the fields. Using the rangefinder, Fabio could see they were over 200 meters away from our position. They were completely unaware of our presence in the semi-darkness, while we could watch how carefully they prepared for their own hunt.
This is one of the most fascinating aspects of nighttime observation through thermal devices: discovering and learning about wildlife without disturbing them or being seen.
The encounter with the hog
A good half hour went by in almost total darkness until Luca — watching the countryside with the Habrok 4K thermal binoculars — whispered to look at the ridge across from us, where a wild boar was approaching.
Fabio aimed the optic in the suggested direction and indeed saw a solitary male wild boar, about 180 meters away, slowly making its way through the tall, wild vegetation of the fallow field in front of us.
With a simple click on the Stellar riflescope’s control pad, I began recording the moment and tried to keep emotions in check — this was a large wild hog approaching. The boar seemed calm and self assured, but suddenly caught a scent — probably ours — and froze suspiciously, head-on, as if ready to bolt. We all froze and remained completely still and silent for several long minutes until, perhaps again reassured by the apparent calm, the boar resumed walking across the field and in the tall grass, eventually reaching about 70 meters from our position and finally — finally! — giving us a broadside view.
Fabio waited for a clear opening in the vegetation, and as soon as we saw the full silhouette in sharp detail, he aligned the red dot behind its shoulder and pulled the trigger. The shot was immediately lethal. The boar collapsed on the spot, leaving no room for doubt — everything went perfectly. The hunt was a success.
We waited a few more minutes before retrieving our game, letting the accumulated tension of the wait subside, satisfied with the perfect teamwork and a clean, ethical kill.
Recovery confirmed our earlier impression: it was a beautiful male wild boar, about three years old, weighing at least 90 kg. The bullet hit exactly where intended, resulting in an immediate takedown. It was also the animal that Luca was following in its destructive wake in the past weeks, damaging crops and angering farmers.
Technical features of the HIKMicro Stellar 3.0 optic used in our hunt
The Stellar 3.0 SX60L is currently HIKMicro’s flagship thermal imaging riflescope and one of the top choices in terms of performance, functional features, and price on the European hunting optics market. It features a traditional, sleek, and elegant design based on a daytime standard optical scope — though slightly long — with a 30-mm tube mount interface compatible with standard rings.
The built-in rangefinder has a maximum range of 1,000 meters and includes an internal ballistic calculator based on measured distance, angle, and selected ballistic profile. Aesthetically, the LRF module is well integrated into the scope body; technically, it's an interesting solution as the laser and rangefinder detector windows are embedded in the 60-mm germanium lens. This slightly reduces the speed (f number) — or in layman’s terms, the “thermal light gathering” capability of the lens.
Nevertheless, the objective lens remains highly efficient, with an F1.0 aperture despite the added windows. Combined with one of the highest resolution sensors on the market — 1280x1024 pixels with a NETD sensitivity under 18mK — the Stellar 3.0 SX60L can detect the thermal signature of game at distances up to 3,100 meters and reliably identify targets at 800 meters. It has a native magnification of 2.5x and digital zoom up to an impressive 28.4x. The internal software menu offers a wide array of options, including different color palettes, digital filters, and a series of AI-powered proprietary algorithms that significantly enhance the image viewed through the eyepiece. These include Zoom Pro, that enhances high-magnification viewing, and Image Pro 3.0, that improves game outlines and detail.
Another exclusive technology, used in all lower resolution Stellar models, is HSIS (HIKMicro Shutterless Image System), which eliminates the recalibration pause required by standard thermal devices. The SX60L model we used instead is based on Shuttered Flat Field Correction (FFC) for peak performance. Naturally, the Stellar 3.0 includes built-in audio and video recording – as you can easily find out watching our video!
The 1.03” square OLED microdisplay has a resolution of 2560x2560 pixels, providing maximum visual detail at all zoom levels. Zeroing the digital reticle is easy and fast, with support for multiple ballistic profiles, managed via the integrated software or the mobile app. Precision is exceptional for a thermal scope, with adjustments of 2 cm per click at 100 meters — crucial since this scope is designed to significantly extend effective shooting range using thermal imaging. It has two internal batteries — one of which is field-replaceable — and offers excellent runtime, around 9 hours of continuous use. As a final consideration, MSRP may seem steep, however street price can be lower and it’s still the “beast to beat” in the performance segment, de facto setting a quality standard.
For more information please visit the HIKMicro website.
