Thermal Drones???

[AdvntrSeekr]

I 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.....

 

[TSimons9]

Definitely check with the fish and game office first. I know several states have laws against drone use for hunting, not sure if this would be legal in said states.

 

[AdvntrSeekr]

Definitely check with the fish and game office first. I know several states have laws against drone use for hunting, not sure if this would be legal in said states.

Yep, already have. It is currently legal for me. Thanks.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise Thermal

 

[Glendon Mullins]

I don't have any recommendations, but we use them to find escaped inmates, and have had success with them as well

 

[elkhunter505]

Have used them to locate bighorn on surveys. I think the one our bio was using was a DJI but I don’t know what model. Worked astonishingly well.

 

[Fullfan]

Give me a month and I will let ya know. Been doing lots of homework. The DJI Matrice 4T is my choice.

 

[Wellsdw]

Well probably cheaper than a tracking dog, (speaking from experience) alot less training and handling. But their efficacy is limited to foliage coverage. Where i live in the SE they are not very effective until later in the season. Id chose a dog 10:1. Also how many animals can you pay to have tracked vs the cost of a drone. I know the market is flooded with drone pilots in my area so making money back may be and issue. Now if i lived is the mid west around some of those big open ag fields. They are a no brainer. One thing to consider about you tube videos on tracking dogs and drones is that most dont post videos on failures....... just a few things to consider.

 

[wesfromky]

Have used them to locate bighorn on surveys. I think the one our bio was using was a DJI but I don’t know what model. Worked astonishingly well.View attachment 865570

Do you know if done surveys are getting more common and accepted? Have a friend that is a wildlife tech and is thinking about adding drones to their skill set.

 

[deltadukman]

I live in the SE and hunt under some pretty big trees and think they are fantastic. Much less invasive than running tracking dogs through a block of woods. I shot at a deer last year but didn't feel great about it. Called a buddy with a thermal drone and we went at day light the next morning. Flew it from way away in an ag field and found the deer in the woods up eating acorns. Saw a white patch where I grazed his back. It was that specific deer. One thing though is I could have walked in a popped that deer after identifying him. They can, and I believe are, being used to help aide in killing trophies and I highly disagree with that. The video of both the thermal and regualr cameras on his were increible. I thnking his was a DJI in the 5-8k range.

 

[elkhunter505]

Do you know if done surveys are getting more common and accepted? Have a friend that is a wildlife tech and is thinking about adding drones to their skill set.

It should and likely will at some point. Our biologist uses it for sage grouse too. I would suggest getting a license. I will be taking a course at my university to learn and then get certified. It would help others more than me since I’m MT the drone is not allowed out of sight, but there are benefits when it comes to detecting animals after they’ve fled from a capture event.

 

[weekender7]

I have the DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise Thermal. I love it. It does have limitations in early season big hardwood forest. Cut downs, CRP type areas it is AWEOME. I also have a dog to supplement the drone when conditions are tough for the drone.

 

[Cowbell]

I also have the Mavic 3T. I use it daily on the ranch for moving/finding/checking cattle and for spotting/chasing/stalking pigs. It is a game changer.

 

[bowhunter2598]

Mavic 3T. Can't beat DJI

 

[Fullfan]

Did purchase the Matrice 4t about a Month ago. Have been using it here at night, trying to find mature whitetails. They are feeding in the beans after dark. Have a 24" monitor hooked to my controller via a HDMI chord. I'm shocked by its capability's. Drone, 4 batteries, spotlight HDMI chord and monitor had a 9700-price tag. Here in Pa there is legislation pending, for the use of drones to recover wild game. Should be a precedence set now The Pa game commission did arrest a fella last fall, for using a thermal drone to help a hunter recover a deer. He was found not guilty at his prelim hearing.

 

[JJMarsh]

I 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.....

For deer recovery drones, prioritize three specs: minimum 640x512 resolution for small targets, 25Hz+ refresh rate to prevent motion blur, and weatherproofing for field conditions. The FLIR Vue TZ20 ($3.5K) works well with DIY setups, while the Parrot Anafi Thermal ($5K) offers good ready-to-fly performance. Budget options often fail in thick cover or wet conditions.

 

[Wprinkle]

We use the DJI thermal drones almost nightly, really happy with everything. As always the battery life sucks but that is with most drones and thermals I have had hands on experience with.

 

[Muddler]

Jeesh...there's no way my wife is gonna give me a PO for a thermal drone