As a guy that been bowhunting for nearly 50 years in many many states and for many many species and who has been on hundreds of archery tracking jobs for myself and others, the importance of recovering game cant be overstated. Some folks are good at it and other, not so much but of equal importance is when do you call it? When do you determine that all efforts have been exhausted? When do you call in the big dogs (literally)
Ideally when release the arrow or bolt or bullet, we go to the spot the animal last stood , we take up the trail and it leads us to the animal but this is not always the case. Sometimes we start with conventional blood trailing, then grid searches and then a buddy or two, then a dog. Then the lingering doubt about the hit, the sleepless nights, then the "did I do enough?"
I think every bowhunter and crossbow hunter that has a few years under his belt can relate. What if there were an additional tool in the tool box? That's what I thought while on stand this last season after a rather lengthy search for a hog Id arrowed.
So I began investigating another tool for the big game recovery tool box. I researched and then contacted my state's DNR and was directed to the LT. in charge of exactly what I was considering as a new tool. Then I came across another person who was one season ahead of me in employing the exact same methodology to searching for big game animal carcasses. His success rate was 100%
Despite this person not being a bowhunter (he did however enjoy gun deer hunting) he was asked by a friend to aid in the search of an arrow shot deer. He agreed and found the deer in short order.
His method of search was a Thermal imaging capable drone. WI has some wording about using aircraft to aid in the hunting regulations but nothing about drone usage for carcass recovery. To the casual observer, they might not understand that differences between hunting with an unmanned aircraft and using the same aircraft to search for the carcass of a dead animal but its exactly these subtle differences that are key to the legality of using a drone for carcass recovery.
I wrote up a usage plan for thermal drone recovery with some pretty strict guidelines that I would adhere to and sent them to the WI DNR person in charge of all things drones. I copied the vice chair of the WI Natural resources board as well as my local warden.
Since that time, Ive shared a few emails with the DNR lead person assigned to drone usage and a few conversations with the Natural Resources Board Vice chair. All the conversation were positive and provided the legal affirmation I needed to go forward. I was fortunate in that the person before me that was using a drone had also worked with the DNR to ensure legality. In fact, that person has conducted carcass recovery with a DNR warden participating in the recovery.
Again, What I am talking about is currently the laws regarding Wisconsin. I have not explored others states and cant speak to the legality there.
Here are a few of the self imposed regulations I included in my draft document that I sent to the DNR and NRB vice chair.
1. At no time during this recovery effort is any member of the search party allowed to be in possession of a weapon (firearm, archery gear or crossbow) (exception for CC holders). This speaks to the difference between hunting and simple carcass search but limiting the personal protection rights and the 2nd amendments rights is a sticky situation that I cant ask another to wave.
2. If during the carcass location process, the animal sought after is determined to be alive, Drone search efforts will immediately be terminated. The reason is then we switch from carcass recovery to locating a live animal so this fine line must be walked. IT would then be up to the hunter
3. I cannot and will not fly in the following conditions: Rain, Snow, dense fog, or winds in excess of 20 miles per hour. If any of these conditions develop after the search has begun, the search will be terminated.
4. Depending on the location of the search, and upon checking sectional maps and B4Ufly, it may be determined that the airspace involved is restricted or prohibited regarding the use of a drone. Should a carcass search originate in an unrestricted area but later move into airspace that is restricted or prohibited, the search will immediately be terminated.
Some of those items are regulated by the DNR, other regulated by the FAA and still others I will insist upon myself. As of this writing I am studying for the FAA's Part 107 exam in an effort to become certified to use a drone in such a manner.
I cant find game animals with a thermal drone without buying one first, so I bought an Evo II Dual. This is a public safety tool used by police, fire and search and rescue specifically due to its Flir Boson camera. This particular drone is very new to the market having been released in spring of 2020 and even getting one was a challenge as they were in high demand.
Ideally when release the arrow or bolt or bullet, we go to the spot the animal last stood , we take up the trail and it leads us to the animal but this is not always the case. Sometimes we start with conventional blood trailing, then grid searches and then a buddy or two, then a dog. Then the lingering doubt about the hit, the sleepless nights, then the "did I do enough?"
I think every bowhunter and crossbow hunter that has a few years under his belt can relate. What if there were an additional tool in the tool box? That's what I thought while on stand this last season after a rather lengthy search for a hog Id arrowed.
So I began investigating another tool for the big game recovery tool box. I researched and then contacted my state's DNR and was directed to the LT. in charge of exactly what I was considering as a new tool. Then I came across another person who was one season ahead of me in employing the exact same methodology to searching for big game animal carcasses. His success rate was 100%
Despite this person not being a bowhunter (he did however enjoy gun deer hunting) he was asked by a friend to aid in the search of an arrow shot deer. He agreed and found the deer in short order.
His method of search was a Thermal imaging capable drone. WI has some wording about using aircraft to aid in the hunting regulations but nothing about drone usage for carcass recovery. To the casual observer, they might not understand that differences between hunting with an unmanned aircraft and using the same aircraft to search for the carcass of a dead animal but its exactly these subtle differences that are key to the legality of using a drone for carcass recovery.
I wrote up a usage plan for thermal drone recovery with some pretty strict guidelines that I would adhere to and sent them to the WI DNR person in charge of all things drones. I copied the vice chair of the WI Natural resources board as well as my local warden.
Since that time, Ive shared a few emails with the DNR lead person assigned to drone usage and a few conversations with the Natural Resources Board Vice chair. All the conversation were positive and provided the legal affirmation I needed to go forward. I was fortunate in that the person before me that was using a drone had also worked with the DNR to ensure legality. In fact, that person has conducted carcass recovery with a DNR warden participating in the recovery.
Again, What I am talking about is currently the laws regarding Wisconsin. I have not explored others states and cant speak to the legality there.
Here are a few of the self imposed regulations I included in my draft document that I sent to the DNR and NRB vice chair.
1. At no time during this recovery effort is any member of the search party allowed to be in possession of a weapon (firearm, archery gear or crossbow) (exception for CC holders). This speaks to the difference between hunting and simple carcass search but limiting the personal protection rights and the 2nd amendments rights is a sticky situation that I cant ask another to wave.
2. If during the carcass location process, the animal sought after is determined to be alive, Drone search efforts will immediately be terminated. The reason is then we switch from carcass recovery to locating a live animal so this fine line must be walked. IT would then be up to the hunter
3. I cannot and will not fly in the following conditions: Rain, Snow, dense fog, or winds in excess of 20 miles per hour. If any of these conditions develop after the search has begun, the search will be terminated.
4. Depending on the location of the search, and upon checking sectional maps and B4Ufly, it may be determined that the airspace involved is restricted or prohibited regarding the use of a drone. Should a carcass search originate in an unrestricted area but later move into airspace that is restricted or prohibited, the search will immediately be terminated.
Some of those items are regulated by the DNR, other regulated by the FAA and still others I will insist upon myself. As of this writing I am studying for the FAA's Part 107 exam in an effort to become certified to use a drone in such a manner.
I cant find game animals with a thermal drone without buying one first, so I bought an Evo II Dual. This is a public safety tool used by police, fire and search and rescue specifically due to its Flir Boson camera. This particular drone is very new to the market having been released in spring of 2020 and even getting one was a challenge as they were in high demand.