Scouting by plane

[CForest]

What's everyone's thoughts/suggestions of scouting by a plane for elk? I have a bull tag for the largest area in the missouri breaks and thinking a couple hours of flying would cover a ton more ground than tryin to do it by ground or water. I have never flown for this purpose though. I would assume using a video camera or two along with lots of pictures and waypoints on a gps would be a necessity. I do not have my own plane, but have some neighbors/friends that do and I am sure I could find one willing. Not sure what it would cost me or what it would be worth but I would probably just have to buy the fuel if it was someone I knew.
Thanks!

 

[SunnyInCO]

Be aware of the laws. In Colorado you are legally not allowed to scout by plane that or the next day. I have never scouted by plane either so I cannot comment on the pro's. My plane is google maps/earth.

 

[JimP]

Uh, the Missouri Breaks are in Montana.

But I would check the laws first but I believe if you are just scouting then it would be OK. I don't know just how many elk you might see but if you have access to a plane and don't mind the extra cost then I would say go for it. However it would be a good way to get a lay of the land and possibly figure out where the concentration of animals are at. But I would also put some boots on the ground before the hunt to verify just what you saw from the plane.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I really have mixed emotions about this. I agree with what Jim P. said about getting the lay of the land.

 

[theleo91386]

Page 15 of the Montana hunting regs says it's illegal to do if you are hunting the same day as you were airborne or if you give information to someone the same day after being airborne.

 

[CForest]

Ya i am fully aware of the laws. It would be something i want to do a few days before season starts to get a feel for what part of the district holds most of the elk. Or good areas for old bulls to lay up.

 

[Bonecollector]

Good advice here by Jim.
BTW: I believe sunnyinco was giving a state comparison for discussion.

Uh, the Missouri Breaks are in Montana.

But I would check the laws first but I believe if you are just scouting then it would be OK. I don't know just how many elk you might see but if you have access to a plane and don't mind the extra cost then I would say go for it. However it would be a good way to get a lay of the land and possibly figure out where the concentration of animals are at. But I would also put some boots on the ground before the hunt to verify just what you saw from the plane.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Are there other hunts in that area are already in progress while you would be doing your scouting? If so how would those low altitude fly overs affect the game animals someone else may already be hunting. I know I wouldn't want anyone doing that while I was hunting.

 

[goinhuntn]

In my opinion I don't think it should be allowed!! We have to much technology as it is for hunting & I am as guilty of using it as the next guy! That's my opinion & I will leave it at that.

 

[shootbrownelk]

If you were in Wyoming, you can do like some wealthy rancher/outfitters do. Fly extremely low all over the BLM and State lands, disrupting legal DIY hunts, and say you were looking for stray cattle. Then phone your outfitter on the ground and tell him where the elk are.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yep..that'[s a fact, I've been there and seen it done.

 

[JimP]

If you were in Wyoming, you can do like some wealthy rancher/outfitters do. Fly extremely low all over the BLM and State lands, disrupting legal DIY hunts, and say you were looking for stray cattle. Then phone your outfitter on the ground and tell him where the elk are.

And if you see that happening all you need to do is to get the tail number of the plane and call it in and report them. Odds are the pilot won't risk loosing his or her license if they get reported to the FAA for unsafe flying even if they actually are looking for stray cattle.

 

[CForest]

Are there other hunts in that area are already in progress while you would be doing your scouting? If so how would those low altitude fly overs affect the game animals someone else may already be hunting. I know I wouldn't want anyone doing that while I was hunting.

If i do it during the week before season, no there wouldn't be any hunters. The archery season closes on sunday and rifle opens the next saturday

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[drifli]

Planes work great. Nevada is one of the best places to scout using aircraft. Backcountry pilot has a bunch of good people who mostly share in the love of flying low and slow and landing where most people have know idea you can. Good old C-180, PPonk motor on 30" Bushwheels and you can go about anywhere.

 

[hoshour]

It may be legal if there is a day or two break, but I just don't like the idea, not for elk, not even for sheep, although I know many outfitters up north do that.

This is one of those, "How far should you take technology?" questions and I guess there are lots of different opinions that we have to be careful not to get self-righteous about, but put me in the camp of thinking that scouting by air just prior to the hunt falls outside of fair chase hunting.

 

[shootbrownelk]

And if you see that happening all you need to do is to get the tail number of the plane and call it in and report them. Odds are the pilot won't risk loosing his or her license if they get reported to the FAA for unsafe flying even if they actually are looking for stray cattle.

The G&F dept. looks the other way when these guys pull their shenanigans. One of them flies for G&F when they do elk herd counts.
One is in a position of power in Government and the G&F act as their stooges. Turn them in all you want, nothing comes of it. And as CC says been there done that.

 

[Horsenhike]

Watched a plane in SD loop the public land pushing antelope onto private the day before the season opened. Highly doubt anything would be done, but these days good binoculars and a video recorder are with me. I would film and report, regardless of outcome.

 

[JimP]

If nothing is being done when it is reported to the authorities take a video of it and send it to a TV station. They are always looking at miss use of government equipment and time.

 

[go_deep]

From an ethics stand point I'd vote NO...

 

[drifli]

How many people have hunted in AK or BC and had the pilot point out animals on your way in?