Unusual hunting question.........................

[Don]

.........from a family member that I was not able to answer, maybe someone on this messageboard has some experience or knowledge on this topic;

Can an average retail infrared binocular/scope device detect small upland game animals, like quail, in thick brush cover during daylight hours, through body heat differentials to follage?..................Don

[JonE]

.........from a family member that I was not able to answer, maybe someone on this messageboard has some experience or knowledge on this topic;

Can an average retail infrared binocular/scope device detect small upland game animals, like quail, in thick brush cover during daylight hours, through body heat differentials to follage?..................Don

Not with any that I have used, but mine were what might be called low end.
The problem with something as small as a bird is false readings. Any little "hot spot" can be picked up as a little blip, could simply be some dark object that absorbed a little more sun, but something like a deer, dog or similar size will set off the lights or alarms in a way you know you have something of size

[Larry Elliott]

If they could I'm not sure what good it would do unless you were planning on just blasting the brush. I think a good dog would work better, and the dog would likely love rooting around in the brush anyway. :D