Do you think a fly over would be a good way to scout a new area. Looking at unit 67 without a clue, so I am thinking a flyover would be the best way to get a look at the transition areas. I could do that the end of july.
scouting by air
- Thread starter xtreme
- Start date
I've done this before. My bro in law is a pilot and we flew over a couple spots we were scoutting. I recommend it for sure!
COhunter
Member
better check the law first...the DOW dont like this type of scouting...im not sure what the law is but do some checking for sure so you dont get in any troble. we dont need any of our fellow hunters getting into any truble
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
Most states cant say anything about you flying over areas out of season. Its during season that many have laws regarding this very thing. I may be mistaken, and taking this from only hearing it on several shows, but Alaska wont let you hunt the same day you fly? Idaho wont let you scout by air during season, especially relaying information to the ground via air.
I plan on doing several "crosscountry" flights this summer. Might coincidentally plan them over some select areas that I know offer GREAT flying views!!
All of coarse pre season mind you.
Flying doors off in a helicopter also allows for some awesome photo ops if you have a good photographer along or a second pilot that can hold the controls while taking pics!!
One thing to pay attention to is how close you are over animal refuges. Rules of flight are more restrictive over them. Also find out who owns or operates the land and call them to coordinate your flight time with them.(ie forest service, BLM, Dept of Indian Affairs, private land owners, etc.) If their is anything going on in that area they will let you know ahead of time to avoid any issues. Just let them know your wanting to do some low level recon and photo flights of the area. Your pilot your flying with will know how to set up anything like that as well.
Edited to add information below
Here is an article about the rules and concerns of the Colorado DOW. It will probably answer any questions you may have about air scouting. http://www.realaspen.com/article/212/Colorado-Division-of-Wildlife-Harassing-big-game-with-aircraft-is-illegal-unethical
Its legal in Colorado given a vey specific set of rules.
I plan on doing several "crosscountry" flights this summer. Might coincidentally plan them over some select areas that I know offer GREAT flying views!!
All of coarse pre season mind you. Flying doors off in a helicopter also allows for some awesome photo ops if you have a good photographer along or a second pilot that can hold the controls while taking pics!!
One thing to pay attention to is how close you are over animal refuges. Rules of flight are more restrictive over them. Also find out who owns or operates the land and call them to coordinate your flight time with them.(ie forest service, BLM, Dept of Indian Affairs, private land owners, etc.) If their is anything going on in that area they will let you know ahead of time to avoid any issues. Just let them know your wanting to do some low level recon and photo flights of the area. Your pilot your flying with will know how to set up anything like that as well.
Edited to add information below
Here is an article about the rules and concerns of the Colorado DOW. It will probably answer any questions you may have about air scouting. http://www.realaspen.com/article/212/Colorado-Division-of-Wildlife-Harassing-big-game-with-aircraft-is-illegal-unethical
Its legal in Colorado given a vey specific set of rules.
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Old Hunter
Banned
How is it better than Google Earth, or the mapit on the DOW site? You can also print out those maps.
You need to look fast, and remember it on a fly over.
You need to look fast, and remember it on a fly over.
Matthew Blankenship
New Member
gatheringsheds
New Member
If your 67 3rd for deer don't waste your money flying over that unit. Just get some chains for your truck or a ATV and start covering ground. You have 9 days and I believe you will find a 180 inch muley.
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
Old Hunter....no map program shows the animals like a fly over will. Also a pilot usually has a GPS installed and can mark coordinates of interest for you. Then when you go home you can look up the coordinates and develope a plan of attack to hunt by. GE is a great way to plan a hunt with for sure though. Maybe someday they will upload radio collared animal locations too!! lol.
Old Hunter
Banned
Maybe you can fly over my area, and find some elk for me? Hiking is going to wear me out.
Kidding of course. I'll find them, and the hiking keeps me young.
Kidding of course. I'll find them, and the hiking keeps me young.
Depends on when you hunt Old Hunter. I didn't mention Mysterous Lake by accident, that seems to be a gathering point at migration time. I doubt you hunt across the pass anyway. Your pictures posted gave me the fever.
Gatheringsheds, I am working on the Grand Cherokee, Cooper tires, 4" lift, 242 transfer case, v-8, and chains. There is more private property in that unit than I had expected.
Looks like all the over 70 gang will have a good shot at a good hunt this year. My local game warden in Co has been a huge help for me even though I won't be hunting in his unit this year. He gave me some ideas for next year to be able to hunt something if health keeps improving. Game Warden told me that if I shoot the first legal buck I find, I will probably never kill a trophy buck.
Gatheringsheds, I am working on the Grand Cherokee, Cooper tires, 4" lift, 242 transfer case, v-8, and chains. There is more private property in that unit than I had expected.
Looks like all the over 70 gang will have a good shot at a good hunt this year. My local game warden in Co has been a huge help for me even though I won't be hunting in his unit this year. He gave me some ideas for next year to be able to hunt something if health keeps improving. Game Warden told me that if I shoot the first legal buck I find, I will probably never kill a trophy buck.
Old Hunter
Banned
I've gotten to know my local warden too. Nice guy, and very helpful. Always will to answer questions. He gives me some slack too. He knows i'm an old guy, and packing out an animal is hard on me. Were suppose to bring out the antlers along with proof of sex. I'm not a trophy hunter, and have no interest in antlers. So, I asked him if I need to bring out the antlers. He said to not worry about it, because he could judge the age by the testicle. Not sure that's true, but I appreciated it. He knows I would shoot anything illegal.
I don't hunt over the pass, but I did come close to hunting unit 55 this year. It's a little too far to come over every night. Which I like to do. Nothing like a hot shower and my bed to get ready for the next day. Plus I need to take care of my dog.
Your Jeep sounds good. You probably saw my TJ when I posted it. I love Jeeps. Yours has a lot more room than mine, but mine is ok for the way I hunt, and the back has plenty of room for my gear, and a boned out elk.
I think i'll go back up for some more scouting tomorrow, and see what I can find.
I don't hunt over the pass, but I did come close to hunting unit 55 this year. It's a little too far to come over every night. Which I like to do. Nothing like a hot shower and my bed to get ready for the next day. Plus I need to take care of my dog.
Your Jeep sounds good. You probably saw my TJ when I posted it. I love Jeeps. Yours has a lot more room than mine, but mine is ok for the way I hunt, and the back has plenty of room for my gear, and a boned out elk.
I think i'll go back up for some more scouting tomorrow, and see what I can find.
Murdy
Active Member
"It's a little too far to come over every night."
I was wondering how long it would take to get back to Buena Vista from 55? Not that far in terms of distance, but I don't really have a sense of what kind of time a trip like that takes in the mountains.
I was wondering how long it would take to get back to Buena Vista from 55? Not that far in terms of distance, but I don't really have a sense of what kind of time a trip like that takes in the mountains.
Old Hunter
Banned
It would depend on where you were in the unit. Unit 55 is huge with some real good wilderness areas. I can get to the Reservoir in 40 minutes. Which is the same amount of time to get what I showed in my pictures in 481. The problem is, how long will it be to get to where you're hunting in 55? Camping would make more sense.
Jon Boy
Active Member
My dads a pilot and when ever we fly we fly over our hunting areas or new areas we want to check out. Its extremely helpful. IMO its far better than google earth because your actually there and not looking at a computer screen, and you can see quite a few animals. Cant tell you how many times we've been on a trip and flown over some great looking country that I had never thought of before and marked it on the map, and then went about researching that area, and are now my honey holes.
Murdy
Active Member
"Camping would make more sense."
Agreed. Where ever we end up, we'll be camping anyway, so might as well be close. Just trying to get a sense of things out there--haven't been out west in a long time, and we're just starting to make plans. Thanks.
Agreed. Where ever we end up, we'll be camping anyway, so might as well be close. Just trying to get a sense of things out there--haven't been out west in a long time, and we're just starting to make plans. Thanks.