Introduction
The use of drones has revolutionized various industries, and wildlife management is no exception. In recent years, drones have emerged as valuable tools in the deer hunting world for a variety of services including:
Conducting surveys and assessments of deer herds.
Using thermal technology for recovering deer.
Creating high resolution aerial maps.
Drones offer a non-invasive and efficient means of gathering data on deer populations and recovering otherwise hard to locate expired deer, providing wildlife researchers, managers, and hunters with valuable insights.
More importantly, a drone is only as valuable as its operator and their knowledge about the service provided. When considering hiring a pilot for one of the services above, it is essential to give equal consideration to the individual being hired and the service provided.
Let's explore the the advantages of utilizing drones in the whitetail industry and discuss key factors to consider when hiring a drone pilot.
How Are Drones Being Used in the Whitetail Industry?
Deer Density, Buck-to-Doe Ratio, & Aerial Surveys
Traditional methods of tracking deer involve ground-based surveys or manual observations, which can be time-consuming and limited in scope.
With drones, you can cover large areas quickly and efficiently, significantly improving the effectiveness of deer tracking efforts.
Aerial surveys conducted by drones provide valuable insights into deer population dynamics. By capturing aerial imagery and video footage, drones offer a comprehensive view of deer behavior, their locations, distribution patterns, and herd composition.
This information helps researchers and wildlife managers better understand factors such as breeding habits, migration routes, and habitat preferences. Such understanding contributes to the development of effective conservation strategies and informed decision-making.
Using A Thermal Drone While Recovering Deer
A quick video search on YouTube can show you just how impressive and useful the thermal equipment on drones can be in finding a recently shot deer.
With the remarkable ability to spot even the slightest differences in temperature, thermal cameras can easily distinguish a recently expired a deer from the surrounding landscape. In many cases, they can do so with greater speed and efficiency than even the most skilled tracking dog.
However, it's important to note that the legality of utilizing this service varies from one state to another. To ensure compliance with local regulations, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and exercise due diligence to verify the availability and permissibility of such practices in your area.
High Resolution Aerial Imagery & Maps
Drones, equipped with advanced cameras and stabilizing systems, have the capability to capture intricate details of a whitetail property by seamlessly stitching together hundreds, or even thousands, of individual pictures. The outcome is an exceptionally high resolution, detailed and up-to-date map that is unparalleled in the market.
By capturing images at low elevations, taking into account the density of foliage on the trees, drones offer enhanced visibility of the landscape. This heightened visibility provides the opportunity to identify even the slightest variations, enabling the creation of an effective strategy tailored specifically to your property.
Once the data is collected, it needs to be processed and analyzed to derive meaningful insights. Advanced software applications can assist in stitching the imagery, georeferencing the photos, and creating orthomosaics and digital elevation models.
These processed datasets provide a detailed representation of the surveyed area such as deer population density, habitat utilization, and movement patterns.
Data Collection and Analysis
In the age of technology, data collection has become more accessible than ever before. However, the true value lies in who collects the data and how they leverage it.
Providing the services listed above may seem accessible to many, with a relatively low barrier to entry. After covering the initial startup costs, operating expenses remain minimal, and mastering the basic flight controls of the aircraft can be achieved quickly.
Considering this, finding someone to fly your project may appear straightforward. Yet, the real challenge lies in the search for finding an individual who can deliver valuable insights and draw attention to often overlooked details.
Who Should I Hire?
It is essential to start with the fundamentals when seeking a professional for your drone services. Working with an individual who holds a valid license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and operates a duly established and insured business is imperative.
From here, it is crucial to find someone who has dedicated their efforts to the development of an efficient system for their services, and has the experience and expertise in the whitetail world. This ensures that you receive the maximum value for your investment.
I am proud to say I am not only a fully licensed and insured drone pilot, but I am also a whitetail habitat specialist with Whitetail Partners. With years of experience in developing and analyzing optimal whitetail habitats, I bring a unique perspective to these services.
Leveraging my expertise allows me to elevate these services to a higher level, focusing primarily on the 'why' behind all the findings. Of the other many benefits, I offer access to invaluable information on whitetail habitat, comparable to what I provide with my property designs.
Considerations and Limitations
While drones offer many benefits and significant advantages, it is important to acknowledge certain considerations and limitations associated with their use
Weather Conditions:
While a sunny, warm day is easy to enjoy, it effects the quality of the images and limits the effectiveness of the thermal camera. An overcast sky followed by a heavy rain can provide some of the best conditions for flying properties.
This creates a strong difference in ground temp compared to the body temp of the deer, vastly improving the quality of the survey.
Birds Eye View:
As with Escouting, the data collected from the drone can only provide you with so much information. While it is a great way to capture an overhead shot and collect accurate information about a specific location with minimal disturbance, the data collected should be used as another tool to narrow down further development of your property.
The tried and true method of boots on the ground scouting, getting an up close look at the vegetation and terrain, paints a far more accurate picture. All the more reason working with someone who can collect the data in the sky and break it down on the ground is a measure of extreme value.
What's Next?
The integration of drones, especially those with the infrared camera into the realm of deer hunting and wildlife management has revolutionized the way we gather and process information.
As a full service provider, I am excited as I continue to improve current offerings and develop new use cases that measure the effectiveness of a whitetail property.
While I am located in central Ohio, my team and I would love any opportunity to put your project into motion, anywhere in the country. If you have a location or a project in mind, you can find a link to contact us below!
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