Autumn and winter are good times for hunting large wild animals. The introduction of drones will bring greater opportunities to hunters. The high-altitude reconnaissance capabilities of drones can help hunters monitor and track hunting objects.
Is drone deer recovery legal?
Drone hunting relies on drone aerial photography to obtain the location and movement trajectory of the hunting object, and hunters go to the places where deer travel most frequently to hunt. Drone deer recovery is to find the escaped and injured deer after shooting, and then bring the deer back.
Drone deer recovery is legal, and it is reasonable to recover lost prey. This will not disrupt the harmony of the deer ecology, just as fishing drones will not affect fisheries, but the use of drones for deer reconnaissance and hunting needs to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
During the fall and winter hunting seasons, activities such as drone hunting and drone deer recovery will be strictly regulated. Here, we’ll explain the legalities of winter hunting drones and the role of drones in hunting.
Where can I hunt in the United States?
Many states aspire to a world where people abide by the law and natural development, do not rely excessively on external forces, and maintain a spirit of fair chase and widely accepted hunting ethics.
As of October 31, 2023, 45 of the 50 U.S. states have laws restricting the use of drones for hunting. The only states without specific laws explicitly banning drone recovery are Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware (not in state wildlife areas), Oklahoma, and South Carolina (except for game birds).
Rules to follow when drone hunting in autumn and winter
Drone scouting for hunting locations has brought huge changes to hunters' hunting games. Whether drones can be used for hunting games has always been a controversial topic, but the use of drones for hunting is still in its early stages. But we still need to abide by the corresponding hunting rules.
Rule 1: No same-day hunting
Many states in the United States have strict controls on drone hunting and drone surveillance of hunting locations. After drone surveillance of a hunting location, you cannot continue hunting on the same day.
Rule 2: Hunters may not use drones while in the field
Drone use is not allowed when other hunters are present as it notifies hunters of the location of game. Many hunters consider this a misuse of technology and unethical hunting.
Rule 3: Don’t harass animals with drones
A classic example of unethical hunting is the use of drones to swoop in and scare deer or their neighbors. One of the reasons why drones should not be used for hunting is that it takes the sport away from hunting and is considered unethical. If you've done push hunting or drive hunting, you can attest to the stark difference between people pushing deer versus drone hunting.
Drone Deer Restoration (DDR) and other professional services
Drone Deer Rescue (DDR) has become a unique service offering over the past few years, with professionals using drones to locate and retrieve hunted deer. Advanced drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and advanced GPS technology make it easier to locate downed prey in challenging terrain.
The Autel 640T V3, a hunting thermal drone, is equipped with thermal imaging and standard visible light cameras that can detect the heat signature of injured or dead deer hiding under forest canopies or crops, as well as a camera that can capture images of the animal's location.
But you need to make sure you're in one of the five states that allow the use of drones for deer rescue.
Drone Deer Recovery Advice
Buy a deer recovery service or a thermal drone?
According to statistics, the cost of a deer recovery service is $450 per time, plus $100 if your deer is successfully found. The price of hiring a deer tracking dog ranges from about $100 per hour to thousands of dollars.
Deer recovery services cannot be separated from the existence of thermal drones, and if you are a year-round hunting enthusiast, thermal drones for deer recovery can bring you more rewards. Remember, thermal imaging exists for more than just deer recovery.
Best Thermal Imaging Drones for Deer Recovery
DJI Matrice 30T (Thermal Imaging): A drone equipped with thermal imaging, perfect for locating deer. $9637
Autel EVO II 640T V3 (thermal imaging): Dual-camera high-definition thermal imaging drone, suitable for deer monitoring and positioning. $4799
Summarize
Drones can help hunters improve hunting efficiency, safety and accuracy during winter hunting, but at the same time drone surveillance and drone winter hunting need to be carried out within the scope permitted by law, comply with the law, respect nature and protect the ecological environment of wild animals.
