Deer Drone Recovery - in Ohio

[Bowhunter57]

I'm about half interested in getting a drone, but I need to read more on the rules and regulations before doing so.
Apparently, it's legal, because this guy is in eastern Ohio and is doing well with helping others find their deer. Being retired I could respond at nearly any time and keep it within a reasonable distance. Since he seems to be in the eastern and/or north eastern portion of the State, I wouldn't be stepping on his toes, by handling N.W. Ohio. I'm guessing, but this guy has probably got a couple of grand in this outfit.
https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/

He also has a YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/@dronedeerrecovery

Any thoughts, input, ideas and/or complications that could arise, would be appreciated.

 

[Spencie]

I don’t know if it’s the same guy but I heard there is one with $12k in it and charges $450 to show up and another $100 for recovery. This all could be untrue.

 

[jagermeister]

I would definitely suggest you do some research before diving in. First off, the interpretation of the law is likely going to differ from one wildlife officer to another. It would be best to get an official interpretation in writing from someone in Columbus. Secondly, in order to legally operate a drone commercially (as a business) you must have a remote pilot’s license from the FAA. This isn’t something you just sign up for online in 5 minutes. It will take a fair amount of studying and the exams are only offered here and there. Lastly, you may want to decide what type of drone you’re interested in buying, or how much you’re willing to spend. I can tell you from experience, locating a dead deer from the air with a drone is not as easy as it sounds. It is certainly FAR from a guarantee and I would venture to say, depending on the terrain, a tracking dog is a superior option. Now, if you’re looking to spend some serious coin and get into a FLIR-capable system, that may be a different story.

 

["J"]

I would definitely suggest you do some research before diving in. First off, the interpretation of the law is likely going to differ from one wildlife officer to another. It would be best to get an official interpretation in writing from someone in Columbus. Secondly, in order to legally operate a drone commercially (as a business) you must have a remote pilot’s license from the FAA. This isn’t something you just sign up for online in 5 minutes. It will take a fair amount of studying and the exams are only offered here and there. Lastly, you may want to decide what type of drone you’re interested in buying, or how much you’re willing to spend. I can tell you from experience, locating a dead deer from the air with a drone is not as easy as it sounds. It is certainly FAR from a guarantee and I would venture to say, depending on the terrain, a tracking dog is a superior option. Now, if you’re looking to spend some serious coin and get into a FLIR-capable system, that may be a different story.

JB is right. The FLIR capability is the only way you’d have the highest rate of success….. And if you’re going too charge for the service, you better be able too produce…. The dog option would probably be the best solution for your itch, Daniel….

 

[Mike]

I have my FAA remote pilots license. I think it would be a waste of your time.

 

[Bowhunter57]

@jagermeister ,
I'm total agreement with you and for the same reasons I'm very inclined to drop the entire idea. As much fun as it would be and being able to help people recover their deer, it has the potential to as big of a pain in the ass.
I have a current offer for $300 to buy a drone that could only be used during daylight hours and without the use of any licensing. It has a very good camera with video as an option. Just the same, I don't think I'd use it enough to justify the purchase, even at $300 and I say that because I already have too many other interests that would cause this one to end up for sale in the TOO Classifieds.

@"J" ,
I agree with you about the FLIR system, but a dog is out of the question. I know a dog would work, but my wife and I just lost a dog of 16 years and we are not willing to get into another one....ever.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

Im very familiar and have researched it quite a bit. The owner of drone deer recovery has an email from Ken Fitz (spelling) law enforcement supervisor stating the legality of using drones to recover deer. There is some grey area but it doesn't seem to be in the locating carcasses department. As mentioned you do have to test and get the part 107 license from FAA to legally charge others for any drone service. I already have a drone I am using for other purposes and am scheduled to take my 107 test next week. I think unless you are willing to invest in the proper drone ($20k + with drone and all needed accessories) then you would be wasting your time. You absolutely will need thermal to be effective, as well as zoom. You could get by with less for personal use, but not professional. I personally see this blowing up into its own industry, the only thing I fear is some rule changes within DOW that could come with its popularity. Its an incredible tool to locate dead deer and absolutely no reason it should not be legal for that purpose.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

I think the key is to get word directly from Columbus, and be ready to have it in writing. Interpretation absolutely will vary by officer but its the ORC that actually matters. With this technology increasing i imagine DOW will start getting their officers up to speed on drone laws really quickly, or should be at least. A good attorney that understands drone law wouldn't hurt either if you decide to start a legit business with it.

 

[Bowhunter57]

@LonewolfNopack ,
I appreciate your insight to drone law, its' use and the money pit that it could create.

I'll pass!!! I'd rather spend more time making good shots on the deer that I hunt. Make sure my equipment is tuned to perfection and my shooting skills are honed.

It saddens me to see the increasing need for finding deer, when I hear the hunter say something like, "this is the 3rd buck I've shot this year and didn't find it". We all make mistakes! However, the lack of equipment preparedness prior to the hunting season, little or no practice with the equipment they're hunting with and the loss of education on shot placement seems to be getting worse, instead of better. There are a huge number of reasons for this issue and not the least of which is our hunting traditions not getting passed on to current generations.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

The unethical manner of so many hunters today is another topic. I blame social media and a "need" of many to kill a buck, regardless how many they wound to get there. With that said, that blame lays with the hunter and not the gear or technology. There have been times when I felt like I have done absolutely everything correct and still made less than ideal shots on a deer. I think anything that leads to less lost deer that would otherwise perhaps not be recovered is a good thing. I also think people have been wounding many deer for a long time, we just hear about it more now with ease of internet and social sites. I see a place for this technology if used for the right purpose. I see drone recovery as no different then using dogs for recovery, just another tool.

 

[Bowhunter57]

@LonewolfNopack
I can't agree with you more!
Like the using a horse, social media can do as much damage as it does good.

 

[giles]

I agree with the dog. You have an opening also. At least if that doesn't work out, you have a companion.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

I'm a little surprised this thread hasn't generated more responses. Thermal drone usage talk seems to be a hot topic among lots of hunting circles right now. Before this thread was created I had considered posting myself just to see where people's thoughts were on this technology/service. Im curious for those who actually watched the videos, what your opinion is? If you were in a situation where you had a questionable shot on a deer, would you consider this service? I think its important to note the drone being used here is not a $1,500 mavic. Its state of the art and extremely effective. Id suggest watching some of the videos if you haven't yet.

 

[giles]

With most things, price point would be my biggest concern. I am not going to pay someone a bunch of money to fly a drone around for an hour. Character of that person would also play a roll. I know you, Seth, beyond the keyboard and would feel comfortable with around $250 for you to come out. I would expect you to do your best as I know you would. I think I would also be inclined to pay $100 more in 2 weeks to look again.

The trophy incentive people charge is kinda weird to me. I know it is for the recovery person to do the best they can, but you should be doing that anyways.

I also think this is a better way to search than messing up an entire area. So I guess now that I've said that, that is worth charging for also. There is also something about a bond between a couple of outdoorsman and a dog.

 

[Hedgelj]

I'm familiar with thermal technology but how do you know the thermal image is the deer in question vs a random deer that happens to be on the same hillside or general area? Especially 2+ hours later unless the guy is your neighbor. That's where I think a trained dog has an advantage being on the track of the actual deer from the point of the shot.

I don't think I'd pay much more than $250 but even that would be hard to swallow unless it was a trophy class animal and that's not because I want a doe or button buck to suffer, its just the difference in value to me. I know I was concerned on my bear hunt when I shot during a a rainshower that slowly was building up (to what became an all night soaker) that if we weren't seeing much blood to back out and get a dog out there sooner than later but to me that's a rare in my lifetime instance opportunity to harvest a bear.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

I'm familiar with thermal technology but how do you know the thermal image is the deer in question vs a random deer that happens to be on the same hillside or general area? Especially 2+ hours later unless the guy is your neighbor. That's where I think a trained dog has an advantage being on the track of the actual deer from the point of the shot.

I don't think I'd pay much more than $250 but even that would be hard to swallow unless it was a trophy class animal and that's not because I want a doe or button buck to suffer, its just the difference in value to me. I know I was concerned on my bear hunt when I shot during a a rainshower that slowly was building up (to what became an all night soaker) that if we weren't seeing much blood to back out and get a dog out there sooner than later but to me that's a rare in my lifetime instance opportunity to harvest a bear.

You locate the deer in thermal, then switch to the digital zoom. Many of the top drones being used have many X zoom capabilities. If you watch the videos you can tell incredible detail of any deer, many times can even see the exact spot they were hit and injured, and this is from 250-350+ feet in the air without the deer ever having a clue or being disturbed (if still alive). Its really incredible the intel that is gathered from these drones and the detail. Again, these are 15k professional drones, not cheap gimmicks. The capability they have is professional and price reflects that. They are also locating deer as much as 24 hours after expected death, so heat will definitely retain depending on conditions. I dont have first hand knowledge on any of this, just my findings from lots of research.

I guess one thing that sticks in my head is the amount of $ so many people already invest in killing a deer. Thousands of dollars worth of gear, fuel, etc...and many thousands dollars more for those who own or lease land. Usually all with the hopes of getting a good shot at a big buck. We do our best to make sure that shot is perfect and we recover the deer, but we all know it doesn't always go that way. It seems to me that in those (hopefully rare) cases you dont make the best shot, paying money to have a professional drone help you in recovering your deer would be small investment compared to everything else. I hate shooting a deer and not being able to find it, worst feeling in the world as a hunter. That's why this service is so intriguing to me.


Appreciate the insights so far.

 

[Hedgelj]

You locate the deer in thermal, then switch to the digital zoom. Many of the top drones being used are 200x zoom. If you watch the videos you can tell incredible detail of any deer, many times can even see the exact spot they were hit and injured, and this is from 250-350+ feet in the air without the deer ever having a clue or being disturbed (if still alive). Its really incredible the intel that is gathered from these drones and the detail. Again, these are 15k professional drones, not cheap gimmicks. The capability they have is professional and price reflects that. Appreciate the insight so far.

Okay I can understand finding a thermal image of a deer and then switching and zooming in to look for an injury or blood or whatnot. That makes sense to me and slowly working your way through a hillside with whatever number of deer are there. Sounds very time intensive and I dunno the flight time of that level of drone or how fast you can do stuff like that.

I also wonder how well it'd work at different times of the year because obviously a deer will appear better on thermal come January then it would in October especially with leaves still on and all that. Though the higher quality thermal may make up for the shortcomings on my monocular.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

Okay I can understand finding a thermal image of a deer and then switching and zooming in to look for an injury or blood or whatnot. That makes sense to me and slowly working your way through a hillside with whatever number of deer are there. Sounds very time intensive and I dunno the flight time of that level of drone or how fast you can do stuff like that.

I also wonder how well it'd work at different times of the year because obviously a deer will appear better on thermal come January then it would in October especially with leaves still on and all that. Though the higher quality thermal may make up for the shortcomings on my monocular.

Good points. I think it would be much harder to get the right angle to locate in September or October with all the leaves then it would once they are gone. I think still possible, but much more time involved. I believe the guy making the videos stated that his average locate time is 20 mins or so without leaves, but gos up quite a bit earlier in the season with leaves.

 

[jagermeister]

I wouldn’t call someone with a drone unless it was cheaper than hiring a tracking service with a dog. The dogs are about as reliable as it gets, and these days they are pretty much everywhere in Ohio. I personally don’t see a huge market for it (drone aided deer recovery), unless it’s shown to be more effective than dogs. But… if someone like you, Seth, was investing in a professional-grade drone to provide multiple services (not just deer recovery), then I think it would be crazy NOT to offer deer recovery as a service. Today I think your biggest and most profitable market for a drone is in aerial spraying, aerial seeding, vegetation mapping, and plant/crop health surveillance.

 

[giles]

I watched a clip the other day of a guy on a podcast talking about how he found a buck 2 weeks after it was shot. Found it after dark on a sunny day. The cape was holding thermals from the sun after the sun went down. Pretty incredible.