Today we’d like to introduce you to David Dohnal.
Hi David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first started using night vision in the military 26 years ago. In 2022, I had taken a night vision shooting course and the next weekend we rented side by sides and went on a tour. While driving these I thought it would be super cool to do this at night as a business and that’s how it all started. Last year I started doing night vision walking tours on Mackinac Island. My stepdaughter had gotten a job there and we went to visit on Mother’s day. That’s when my wife suggested I should do night vision walking tours on the island.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No it hasn’t. Mostly because I’m still in the National Guard and my Dad is elderly and I have spent a lot of time with him. So I haven’t been able to dedicate as much time as I should to this business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Nocturnal Excursions?
It’s a unique business. As far as I can tell nobody in the US is doing anything like this. I’m trying to introduce night vision to people who haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet. Night vision is super cool and literally turns night into day, although a green or white version of day. The stars are incredible, you literally see about 50 times the stars you normally can see. I offer walking tours on Mackinac Island, humvee tours, side by side tours, hiking tours, courses, and shooting all with night vision. I use analog night vision which works so much better than digital.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I can’t really respond to this cause I don’t feet successful with this business yet. My biggest issue will be trying to get people to stay up till 11 pm during the middle of the summer to experience something completely different. It doesn’t get night vision dark until 11pm.
Pricing:
- Humvee and side by side tours start at $300 and $50 per person so 2 people would be $350.
- Mackinac Island walking tours are $89 per person
- Night vision shooting $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nocturnalexcursions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nocturnalexcursions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NocturnalExcursions
