I see PVS-9 SIMRADs on ebay for $1,500 to $1,800 ... couple one of those up with an "adjusted" ELIR-3 illuminator and you would have a night hunting rig. That said, it will be heavy and bulky and you would be running it off of a tripod, not shooting standing unsupported.
It will work for critters in the open, with an image equivalent to PVS-30 ... but whereas thermal can see critters IN the vegatation, the NV/Illuminator option cannot as the illumination bounces off the vegetation and washes out the image. The only times I can see in to woods with NV is when there is a bright moon over head illuminating the interior of the woods from overhead. And we turn off the illumination in that case and let the big flashlight in the sky handle that.
Having said that, I agree with prudir ... save for thermal ... but if you are dead set on moving now for under $2,000 then the low priced SIMRADs can get the job done, if you can put up with the weight and bulk. Life is full of trade-offs.
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Oh, and like the PVS-30, the SIMRAD can support up to around 15x magnification on the day scope to the rear, so you can use your day scope reticle for elevation and wind holding if needed.