Deer Drone Recovery Cost?

[Bowhunter57]

I've never used a Deer Drone Recovery service, but I've heard more good things about them, than bad.
Do the prices vary a lot from one business to another?

What are the average costs for a recovered deer service?
What are the average costs, if the deer isn't recovered?

 

[Hedgelj]

I gave @RedCloud gas money and a few steaks for his time and effort in recovering my buck this fall. He asked for gas money, the rest was a thanks.

@giles and I had a good talk on the phone about my options after my shot. If you remember I shot from the ground with an almost straight on shot with a Ravin crossbow. Due to the less than desirable shot angle and the fact I've didn't know exactly where he ran after the shot (he spun and was far enough down a hill I couldn't see him run away from me) and that on the trail I thought he had run but had no blood on in 50-60 yards were why we decided a drone may be my best bet.

I could be wrong but I didn't know how successful a dog would be if I couldn't put them on blood or fur to get started.

 

[giles]

I think in a situation of an unknown shot, and no Canopy, a drone will always be the best bet. You can scan a large area very fast and never step foot in the thickets.

A good dog can track without any blood. They actually follow a scent from a gland in the hoof, not blood. But with an unknown shot placement, you could just be putting unneeded pressure on the local deer. Had your situation been early season, I would've suggest a dog. It wouldve outperformed the drone.

All in all, every situation is different and if you have questions, call me or someone else any time. You were clearly flustered and worked up on the phone. I didn't tell you anything you didn't already know, you just needed to work through the process of information and situation. Thanks for the shout out, but I didn't do much beyond answering the phone. Anyone here can call me any time, most of you have my number.

 

[Buckmaster]

Drone Mike gets $250-$500 on average. His setup is around $25k.

 

[giles]

I will also add that the deer not being recovered has nothing to do with the service offered. The price should not matter. Just like it should not matter if buck/doe/spike/250". The service is to locate the animal. Often when talking to people with drones, the deer not located are the most time consuming. They often also require multiple trips.

 

[gjs4]

Know a few guys that have used services, as stated above, 3-500$ appear the norm.

The go to DJI Matrice IR setup is for sale by them for 13k, but have seen it elsewhere for sub 10k and other capable droves for 5-6. The ones for 2-3k are not going to work out. Guessing they will be far cheaper by next season. (Dont forget you need an FAA license to legally use these.)

 

[Bowhunter57]

Knowing the cost, it would have to be an extremely nice buck, for me to use this service.
I understand their cost of their equipment, combined with their success is what makes it justified.

It also encourages me to make better shots....or don't take the shot at all.

 

[giles]

Knowing the cost, it would have to be an extremely nice buck, for me to use this service.
I understand their cost of their equipment, combined with their success is what makes it justified.

It also encourages me to make better shots....or don't take the shot at all.

I encourage you to only take shots at extremely nice bucks then. If you aren't willing to do what is right after the shot, please don't take the shot.

 

[RedCloud]

I'm not a guy that uses the drones for a full time job at the moment so my prices are whatever the situation calls for. If it's a long drive, difficult flying conditions, difficult terrain, to difficult people. Many things change the price. Most guys using this service as their main income charge $350-500 base fee and add a charge for mileage, and a fee for locating the deer.
The thermal drone can cover open fields in second with no impact and open canopy I can still cover large areas fairly quick. Obviously the thicker the canopy the slower I fly because I like be thorough to make sure I don't miss even the small thermal hits. You'd be surprised how well a dying deer can wedge itself into small spaces with only a head or leg sticking out.
When looking at the prices guys like myself charge I want you to think about things in a different perspective. Think of the price as how hard have you hunted, scouted, hung stands, cams, plots, and anything else you've done to get to the point you've hit a deer. Then add in the cost the service provider has put into their craft. The setup I have was just under 15k and then add in things like 1k for drone insurance, my time to get a pilots license, and milage/wear and tear on my vehicle and drone. Replacement props and batteries aren't exactly cheap.
Then you get into dogs. Same thing. Cost of the dog, quality food, vet care, time training, milage, and general upkeep.
Things happen in that moment of truth. You hunt long enough and take shots on deer and your going to have a miss hit at some point. YOU'VE put in all that work to get to that moment and you've tried your best to find that deer and for whatever reason you just can't set eyes on it. What do you do now? You going to be a guy that says the heck with it and just go shoot another deer next weekend? Or are you going to be the guy that realizes the worth of all of YOUR time, work, and effort and know there's other options to recover that deer or at least spot it to get a full picture of what went wrong and learn from it and what you can do different the next time?
Drones and dogs are tools in hunting. No different then a gun, bow, cam, stand, or any number of other things we buy every year to make for a successful hunt. The worst hunt I ever had was a deer that I didn't recover. The constant replays in your head and constantly wondering where it went, and if it's dead or alive can ruin an entire season. Technology has changed and we have more tools to aid us then ever before. It's our responsibility to do everything we can to locate that animal and learn from each hunt.

 

[switchhitter]

Very well put redcloud!
And I would add for me if I shot a doe and couldn’t recover it on my own then I would pay for help, either a dog or a drone
I feel that once you have taken a shot and wounded an animal you should make every effort possible to recover the animal. Or at least learn what happened to it.
Just my 2 cents

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

Another reason for drone recovery ......

2.3M views · 35K reactions | Watch the moment a puppy is reunited with her owner after being lost in the snow for 34 hours. Retired New York State police investigator Chad Tavernia is using a high-tech thermal imaging drone to help find missing dogs

Watch the moment a puppy is reunited with her owner after being lost in the snow for 34 hours. Retired New York State police investigator Chad Tavernia is using a high-tech thermal imaging drone to...

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[LonewolfNopack]

It can be lucrative but you must be prepared for a few things for it to be this way. If your willing to answer a phone all hours of the day and night particularly during the month of November and gun seasons, willing to give up your own hunting during prime time, and give up time with family etc.... Also, FAAs line of site requirement makes it extremely difficult to do most any job with drones while still being 100% compliant.

I'm in an area of the state with very high hunters numbers, particularly out of state hunters with $, so this probably helped me stay so busy while I was actively pursing it.

I think it would be tough to make a bunch of money while still working a full time job during this time, especially with the number of people with drones now. Hunters have zero patience and if your not available when they want you to be then they will just call the next guy.

Personally, the money wasn't worth the BS, mainly because I could make more money doing other things that I enjoy more and with much less liability....and I value my time away from working without being disturbed by phone calls all night. I also did not appreciate many of the situations that I was placed into by clients.

With that said, the drones are game changers for deer recovery, and once the leaves are fully off they are the best method of recovery in most situations. Before leaf drop, dogs are your best bet most of the time.

As cool as these drones are, they are too expensive to have sitting around just for personal enjoyment (for me at least) and I'll probably be selling my m30t setup next month if anyone wants to take the leap.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I agree with Seth.
Our standard charge is 350. Many of our clients gladly gave an extra 100 or so when we find their deer but the charge is the same if the deer is found or not. I much prefer to locate the deer quickly. And typically I know if it will be a long search for a still living deer just by what the client has told me. If they say very little penetration and a bit high, I try to talk them out of paying me to come out. 9/10 I’ll still find their deer, but it will be alive and may take a couple hours to find.
This year I decided I was not going to do searches. Last year I did quite a few and was happy to do it. This season I wanted to hunt. I still found 35 or so and told at least 2x that number of folks I was unavailable. Part of the reason I refused searches was due to my health at the time, but many were due to the fact it just isn’t fun anymore to be under pressure to find a deer for a person that is paying. And occasionally, a still living deer has just left the area we can search.
Paying 300-500 for a man to fly a drone around may seem a bit pricey to some, and it is, but it has to be considered what the “pilot” has invested. All in he has 20k invested in equipment. He’s launching 15k 300-400 feet off the ground, avoiding trees and power lines with a string possibility of destroying is equipment. A friend of mine crashed his twice this year! Nothing is cheap with these things and his repairs cost a couple thousand each time.
Seth and I both have the 30T. Adam now does too. Seth and I both flew ours in 30-40 mph winds with rain blowing sideways last year while doing searches. Looking back it was a bad idea. You cannot expect to fly during inclement weather with the cheaper drones. The weather rating on these things is one of the reasons they are expensive but it is absolutely necessary if you plan to be in the air during hunting season.
Add in the fact it is a pain to get licensed to legally operate drones commercially and the fees charged are a deal for a hunter hoping to recover their deer.

 

[Bowhunter57]

I looked into buying a drone, getting the license, etc. and dropped the idea rather quickly. The drone cost, licensing and upkeep wasn't the deterrent as much as dealing with people and dealing with people during the hunting seasons. I have a good friend with a tracking dog, that lives an hour north of me in Lucas County. I've had some conversations about his dealings with deer recoveries, that I'd rather not have to deal with.

Many years ago, my Dad and I were offered a business opportunity to purchase an archery business. My Dad was all for it and it was a grand opportunity to have the entire setup. I didn't like telling my Dad, "No! Absolutely not!" and he asked why quickly. I explained that you know darn good and well, that people are going to show up wanting this or that fixed on their bows, a dozen arrows and broadheads to go with them....NOW. Even though their bow and other accessories were busted last season, they've waited until 2 or 3 weeks before the season opener to get it fixed. Pass....hard pass!!!

No patience, no understanding and it's all about them and their issue. Such is society these days, but that don't mean I have to be part of it.

I appreciate the informative replies, gentlemen. At least I know what to expect, should I get that "once in a life time" shot.

 

[RedCloud]

Brock, you and Seth can just send them people my way .

I found in my area very few people want to spend money to locate anything. Dogs and deer they just find it to be too expensive and a waste of money. I still can't wrap my head around it as most dogs are seen as family until it gets loose and you can't find it. They post on FB that it's very missed and very loved until it comes down to paying someone with equipment that might help a great deal to bring it home. Most deer they don't see worth tracking let alone pay me to look for it unless it's a monster that'll put them on a magazine cover. More times then not they just look in a 50 yard area and walk away to hunt another deer the following weekend.

I did have a guy call me to look for what he said was a 200" buck. I went out in single digit temps with 23mph wind and light snow blowing sideways. Only thing I found was its bed using the thermal. Buck was nowhere to be found. I think it was 2 days later it showed up on cam and he sent me a picture. If that buck hit 140-150 I'd be surprised.

I don't mind talking to people when I show up and get more detailed information. All of them I have delt with have been pretty understanding. I'm sure I'll end up running into those that will have an attitude and try being demanding. That's when I get my stuff and pack it up and head home. I'm there to help and if you want to be an ass you can do it all by yourself.

 

[RedCloud]

@Bowhunter57

If you get bored and want to see how effective these things can be you can go watch some videos on YouTube

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