Thermal recovery drones?

[Life by the Horns]

have really enjoyed watching the thermal drone deer recoveries on YT. I am a proficient tracker, and believe that tracking and recoveries to be a strong suit of my hunting, but I can definitely see the benefit of a thermal drone for those poor hit scenarios.

Has anyone on here bought one? Looking at them online it looks like there are a ton of different options and price points out there, from $3k to $30k. Just wondering if any guys here have bought or used one and what your suggestions would be.....

 

[bigsky2]

It could even double as a way to scout for animals at night

 

[Gellar]

I see potential for a lot more abuse than good.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

have really enjoyed watching the thermal drone deer recoveries on YT. I am a proficient tracker, and believe that tracking and recoveries to be a strong suit of my hunting, but I can definitely see the benefit of a thermal drone for those poor hit scenarios.

Has anyone on here bought one? Looking at them online it looks like there are a ton of different options and price points out there, from $3k to $30k. Just wondering if any guys here have bought or used one and what your suggestions would be.....

Don’t have one, but looked into them quite a bit. DJI Matrice 30T is $10kish and what Drone Deer Recovery YT guy uses and loves. I’ve seen some comparisons to the Mavic 3T and even though about half the cost seemed half the ability. I now see they have a Matrice 4T, not sure about that one, a little less and I think same or better thermal camera.

I think a guy could make a good side hustle with one, especially in the Midwest.

In 20 years they will prly be $2k and “essential” to hunting camps across the world.

 

[Nick87]

#*^@#* those things. How bout that?

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Don’t have one, but looked into them quite a bit. DJI Matrice 30T is $10kish and what Drone Deer Recovery YT guy uses and loves. I’ve seen some comparisons to the Mavic 3T and even though about half the cost seemed half the ability. I now see they have a Matrice 4T, not sure about that one, a little less and I think same or better thermal camera.

I think a guy could make a good side hustle with one, especially in the Midwest.

In 20 years they will prly be $2k and “essential” to hunting camps across the world.

Fuggin A, right. Price point will significantly drop. I remember hearing stories about calculators when society left the slide rule behind. $300 (like $2k with inflation since that time) things and by the time I was a kid in school, calculators were given away as promotional material. Drones with FLIR will likely remain at a higher price, but still a lot cheaper in the future.

 

[ismith]

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if the use of these weapons of war (drones) should be allowed by civilians.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Wish those, and all other thermals, werent legal to use if you had a valid big game tag.

 

[npaden]

Check closely to see if they are legal for use even for recovery. Texas is very liberal on many methods of take and other things like that but they currently do not allow the use of drones of any kind to recover game. Colorado doesn't either. Don't think Montana or Wyoming allows them but haven't specifically checked on those.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if the use of these weapons of war (drones) should be allowed by civilians.

CA or MA will be the first to roll out camera restrictions. Like are the cameras detachable?

 

[ismith]

CA or MA will be the first to roll out camera restrictions. Like are the cameras detachable?

I’m only partially serious, however, If you’ve watched the stuff happening in Ukraine and Russia the last few years lt would be pretty tough to argue that drones aren’t a weapon.

 

[bigsky2]

Check closely to see if they are legal for use even for recovery. Texas is very liberal on many methods of take and other things like that but they currently do not allow the use of drones of any kind to recover game. Colorado doesn't either. Don't think Montana or Wyoming allows them but haven't specifically checked on those.

Never thought I'd see the day that Texas had stricter regulations than Montana. Pretty sad.

 

[Life by the Horns]

It could even double as a way to scout for animals at night

Obviously some could do that, but they are also a great way to recover animals that might otherwise not be recovered. However, the point of this post isn't to debate the ethical merits of a thermal drone. it is to see if anyone might have used one and what they would recommend purchasing.

 

[npaden]

Never thought I'd see the day that Texas had stricter regulations than Montana. Pretty sad.

I was surprised too! Pretty clear that it is illegal though.

Except under permits issued by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the use of drones to hunt, drive, capture, take, count or photograph any wildlife is unlawful. Requirements include an Aerial Management Permit (AMP) issued by TPWD and an approved Land Owner Authorization (LOA). Department rules are adopted under the framework and guidelines of the Federal Airborne Hunting Act. The use of aircraft (including drones) to pursue or recover wildlife in association with recreational or “sport” hunting activity is not permitted.

 

[Life by the Horns]

As of now they are legal in MT. Secondly, just like a gun, car, or a hammer, they can be used for bad or good. If you want to debate drone ethics, please start a different thread. I am only interested in finding more info on them as a potential to help recover downed or wounded game. If you aren't in support of that, or don't like them, that's okay, but that isn't the purpose of this thread. Thanks

 

[bigsky2]

I was surprised too! Pretty clear that it is illegal though.

I wish Montana was the same way.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

As of now they are legal in MT. Secondly, just like a gun, car, or a hammer, they can be used for bad or good. If you want to debate drone ethics, please start a different thread. I am only interested in finding more info on them as a potential to help recover downed or wounded game. If you aren't in support of that, or don't like them, that's okay, but that isn't the purpose of this thread. Thanks

Let us know if you get one.

 

[FairWeather]

I think they could be used positively if one were required to have a commercial 107 drone operators license, and register with the state’s f&w, to use a drone for any purpose related to the locating of wildlife. I’d add that being caught using one without the above criteria being met would also need to come with life-crippling consequences. Like medical-debt level fines and forfeiture of the drone and all hunting equipment.

That way it will severely discourage any ol’ body from buying one and using them, and the state agencies can keep an eye on if those with licenses suddenly become the most successful hunters.

Here in OR I know our wildlife LEOs already have such drones themselves. They could just start pimping out those services as a revenue generator, themselves and get a monopoly on it. “Sure we’ll help you find that elk. We’ll send you the invoice, too.” Seems fair to me.

 

[Nick87]

Sure we’ll help you find that elk. We’ll send you the invoice, too.” Seems fair to me.

No.

 

[mtmuley]

No.

Has to be a line drawn somewhere with the thermal technology. mtmuley