Deer Drone Recovery - in Ohio
- Thread starter Bowhunter57
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Bighoun52
Active Member
Just play devils advocate here. The initial cost for a drone of this caliber is very expensive, but how much do you put into a dog over a life time? Between vet bills, food, ect! I have never figured it out but dogs can be expensive too. I think both have their advantages.
I have hit tall grassy fields twice and could have definitely used a drone to help. (I have one now and need to practice). But I don't see it being as much fun as a dog. There is just something about the dog..... that's very hard to put into words. 
lol, a drone won't ever drag you through the briars with a rope!I have hit tall grassy fields twice and could have definitely used a drone to help. (I have one now and need to practice). But I don't see it being as much fun as a dog. There is just something about the dog..... that's very hard to put into words.
training and handling dogs is something very special in and of itself. It is hard to articulate but those that do it, understand. doesn't matter if you are pointing birds, retrieving ducks, treeing squirrels, sniffing drugs or whatever. working dogs teach us a lot and make us better. drone can surely be a very useful tool for recovering deer, but beyond my own tracking skills and experience, I would pick a dog first.I'm a dog lover. We have 2 currently and they both are geriatric and have been kids to my wife and I. My hearts already broken thinking of them being gone. As much as I love dogs its probably going to be many years before I can stomach getting another one once they are gone.I have hit tall grassy fields twice and could have definitely used a drone to help. (I have one now and need to practice). But I don't see it being as much fun as a dog. There is just something about the dog..... that's very hard to put into words.
Several people have told me that getting another dog was exactly what they needed!
Great points. I'd be curious how long a drone last too? The one we bought our nephew lasted one flight. She gone. Obviously would not try the first flight in 40mph winds on a high end drone. I'm not sure how many years of service (and deer tracking jobs) one could get out of a high end drone.
There was only a couple of years throughout my life I didn't have a dog or dogs. I'll never do that again.
Been rescuing dogs for over 20 years now. Always trying find them better homes. I won't change a thing of what I've been doing in that regard either. I get a lot out of it that feeds my soul. Can't tell you how much they all mean to me. I've had all kinds too. Nothing like a good working dog, or huntin dog or a real good guard dog. Currently have a radar yapper as well. He's my audio security system, and two very old lap dogs. Their days are definitely numbered.
Been rescuing dogs for over 20 years now. Always trying find them better homes. I won't change a thing of what I've been doing in that regard either. I get a lot out of it that feeds my soul. Can't tell you how much they all mean to me. I've had all kinds too. Nothing like a good working dog, or huntin dog or a real good guard dog. Currently have a radar yapper as well. He's my audio security system, and two very old lap dogs. Their days are definitely numbered.
On the top end drones you do a hot swap on the batterys, so your really only limited on flight time by the number of batteries you have. High wind and weather is not nearly as big an issue on these drones either. As far as life of the drone, its professional drone. I guess everything has a shelf life but as with most quality things its usually determined by maintence and taking care of it. Comparing it to the cheap drones would be like comparing a geo meto to a corvette. They are both cars but much more performance is expected out of one then the other. I think the drone technology on the top end drones would become obsolete before the actual drone wore out.
I'm with you 100% on the loss of a dog and not replacing it. After loosing our little girl of 16 years, there's no way I'm going through that much emotional stress again.
I absolutely love dogs, but it's been 2 months since Carrie Anne died and we're still dealing with her loss.Aside from that, my wife and I are retired and are looking forward to traveling and not dealing with the "pets accepted" thing, every where we go....or just not being able to go, because we have a dog.
Dogs are so much a family member, that it's hard to see it any other way. 
As for the drone issue.... The guy in the videos has 20K wrapped up in his drone. Pass!
About the only thing a drone has over a dog is not disturbing the deer, until it dies and of course trespassing.
Obviously, I'm not up for getting another dog, but enjoying their abilities and companionship is not replaceable.
The cheapest part about owning a dog is the cost of buying the dog. So I would agree…. The startup cost of a drone, compared to the cost of owning a dog, is negligible. My oldest Labrador is 10 and between food, vet bills, health clearance testing, HRC hunt tests, puppies, etc I bet I have well over 15k wrapped up in her. That doesn’t even include the passive “costs” of owning a dog.
A dog you are paying for right direction- a drone is still a grid search that could be way off. How much ground can a drone search per hour? Paying for a dog to take the guess part out of it a would be my vote. Im sure a drone is a very good tool but a dog is still the better choice if putting up equal money in my mind. Maybe a good option if multiple inches of rain has fallen?
You have to remember at 350ft above ground and with thermal, a drone can usually see (and eliminate) a lot of area quickly. It can also see if the deer is still alive, vs going in with a dog and not knowing and pushing it to the next county. I think there are pros and cons of each method, but covering ground quickly is definitely an advantage of the drone. I believe in one of the videos I watched the guy has searched 500 acres in a couple hours or less. When you stop and think about that its really incredible.
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i would guess it would be easy because deer don't die on their belly with their legs tucked under them, and they never sleep on their side with their legs sticking out.
Go ahead and order one for me when you out your order in. I know you like this stuff and will search out the best product. Im sure I won't be disappointed. I'll catch up with you when I cash my next paycheck. Thanks Kevin!
Been decades since I've cashed a payroll pay check. 🫢
Ohio Hunter Fails to Track Downed Deer, Uses High Tech Drone to Help
An Ohio deer hunter is using commercial-grade drones to aid him in tracking game without disturbing trails.
outsider.com
For those asking how they could ID a specific deer, here's a good one to watch
I took a shot on a doe Saturday evening and she mule kicked. The CRP field is still standing tall (7') and we couldn't see much at all. A guy I work with had a drone for sale that would fly in the wind. So I bought it. We didn't find her but I could see how a thermal would be the real advantage to this. I don't think a short legged dog would've been any advantage. Especially not knowing if I even hit the deer. Being that I watched her mule kick with my naked eye and not in the scope, I'd say I shot under her. Either way, I own a little drone with zoom now that will fly in some steady winds. If Seth doesn't purchase a legit one, I'd be willing to waste my time if anyone needs it. But it really wasn't a game changer without the thermal. It was good enough to ease my mind that I missed and she isn't laying out there.