Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting How much would you pay for pre-season drone scouting ??

As all you bowhunters get ready for the fall whitetail season --- I have an interesting question to ask you: How much would you pay to have a drone scout your fields?

I realize the younger fellas have the fresh legs and energy to scout all their fields, and the older guys just drive the pickup trucks off the road to glass their hunting areas --- but what about those back fields that are hard to reach by truck or those fields that are technically "No Trespassing" but you manage to snag a buck in one when nobody is looking?

I used my DJI Phantom 3 drone to scout some fields for a couple friends of mine last year and I did it for free, but it got me thinking about starting a little side business. So how much would you be willing to pay to have someone like me stand next to you while you watch a 40-inch TV screen that shows live video from the drone, and therefore can direct me to fly over any particular area you want. My drone is able to fly out about 2 miles (depending on hills and other obstacles) so I can cover a lot of real estate on one battery, which last about 15 minutes of total flight time. All video would be recorded in 4K resolution that you could watch at home on your big screen TV.

I was thinking of about charging $100 for a 30-minute session --- that would involve using two batteries and continuous flying to cover the most ground. The camera footage is good enough to spot deer from around 200 ft. altitude, but in order to see antlers I would need to descend to around 100 ft. altitude off the ground and this will likely spook the animals and they run away. Still, it does give you a better idea of which fields have deer and which do not.

on my place, it would cost you precisely one drone. there is so much abuse of drone tech in the art of hunter harassment, screwed up hunts, peeking in windows while trespassing, drug deliveries to prisons, chasing deer away from hunters, running game for miles just for youtubes videos. They are not welcome in any form near my hunting land, my domicile, or my presence.
(next idiot that circles me in a tree stand gets mistaken for game.)

Try to remember you do NOT own airspace above your property. The FAA is the ONLY authority in the U.S. that controls airspace, and if your property is not adjacent to an airport, nuclear power facility, or a military installation then I can fly my Phantom all over your property and there aint a damn thing you can do about it.

BTW, you shoot down my $1100 Phantom and that means a sheriff knocks on your door at 6am with an arrest warrant and a charge of felony vandalism that is punishable by law in all 50 states.

I would not pay a dime for drone scouting. I enjoy doing the scouting myself. That's part of the hunt for me.

Not a dime. And especially not to a nanna-nanna-boo-boo kind of guy.

Your loss. A guy using my services is probably gonna bag that trophy buck that you coulda had --- all because he embraces modern technology instead of demonizing it like a Luddite.

Zero - if you're spooking the game, you're not scouting, you are disturbing their habits.

Depending on how bad they spook, you may have just ruined your own hunt.

You need another money making plan with your toy.

Got any videos of your wife?

Harassment of hunters is publishable by law. And I will be judged by 12, should the need arise. Stay off my land.

"1533.03 Prevention of authorized hunting, trapping, or fishing prohibited.
(A) No person shall purposely prevent or attempt to prevent any person from hunting, trapping, or fishing for a wild animal as authorized by this chapter by any of the following means:
(1) Placing oneself in a location in which he knows or should know that his presence may affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for or otherwise affect the feasibility of the taking of the wild animal by the hunter, trapper, or fisherman;
(2) Creating a visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimulus intended to affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for;
(3) Affecting the condition or location of personal property intended for use in the hunting, trapping, or fishing activity.
(B) No person shall fail to obey the order of a peace officer or wildlife officer to desist from conduct that violates division (A) of this section.
(C) This section applies only to acts committed on lands or waters upon which hunting, trapping, or fishing activity may lawfully occur. This section does not apply to acts of a peace officer, the owner of the lands or waters, or a tenant or other person acting under authority of the owner on the lands or waters.
(D) Upon petition by a person who is or reasonably may be affected by conduct that violates or will violate division (A) of this section and a showing by that person that the conduct has occurred in a particular place and may reasonably be expected to occur in or near that place again, a court of common pleas may enjoin the conduct in accordance with Civil Rule .
(E) As used in this section, “peace officer” has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, and “wildlife officer” has the same meaning as in section 1531.13 of the Revised Code.
Effective Date: 10-20-1994"


https://www.ohiobar.org/newsandpubl...s-and-the-law-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

Staying legal, for now

"Anyone who owns a drone must register it with the FAA, and thereafter can fly it without getting in trouble as long as the flight takes place during the day and in good weather, as long as the drone stays at least five miles from airports, doesn’t fly higher than 400 feet, doesn’t fly over crowds or endanger anyone, and as long as the flight is just for fun. Anyone who wants to fly a drone for commercial purposes must apply for and receive an N-number, a Section 333 exemption, and a COA and must comply with federal aviation safety regulations."

Oh Lordy! this is as good as the cough silencer, fart suite, and buttout tool for hunters.

Tells all a person needs to know about you and your business. Not welcome around me. miles

I have used Google Earth to check around my spots.
Better was a state geo map (leaves down)...............could see rocks and fallen logs etc.
Allowed me to find a pond in a big woods next section over (so much for them needing our creek LOL).

Driving around, found a farm w a feeder after season (could see deer in their woods, and the feeder).
Drove by a week ago............saw what crops were where.

Spots within an hr or so drive.............web sites, gas and binocs.

No need for a drone...........unless needing video footage for home movie. Which might be cool.

OP

Right to fly, and right to video..........proly different things.
Be sure you only take pics of places you have permission.

Most of us are not against technology.
Technically speaking, we just don't like azzholes.

FWIW I have heard some folks talk about deer out in non hunting ag fields next door to where they hunt..........wondering if somebody could fly a drone over to push them off.
Law quickly passed to stop that.

Being on good terms with those that live around your spot............yeah. Big buck spotted repeatedly by neighbor, Time and location too.
Pretty cool, text'd us Thursday.

So what data do you collect to show up at the magic hour, to get video of these big bucks?
Leaves up, corn..............how do you look through all that?

Video is cool, but I don't think success or salesmanship will help with your venture.

Now if you're flying over a high fence place................

I would not pay one penny for it. Scouting is half the fun of the hunt, and it's an acquired skill. Anyone can flip out a Visa card and then sit back and watch it unfold on a laptop.

I will stick with trail cams. Only reason I use them is to see what deer are in the area. I already know where the deer are.

Part of the fun of learning to hunt a new place is watching from a stand and if it's not placed just right I can move it to the "right" spot.

not a dime from me either.

IMHO you can't even do it right, I'm not flying a drone overhead in prime times. I"ll rely on a camera to tell me whats in the general area. I do enjoy those shots. I don't hunt the camera areas though, just keep em out so I know whats out there.

But you lost me WAY early anyway....poaching is a crime and those folks need to pay the price.

I sure hope drone usage for hunting is outlawed in every state and sooner the better.

Besides I consider it harrassment. If you overfly here you'll never see the drone again. Sheriff or not.

BTW this is even funnier, that its in bowhunting, something that is supposed to be harder, more challenging, than just whacking one with a gun from 100 plus yards away. And here comes more new stuff to make it easier..

Maybe package it with a firearm later, don't have to leave the chair, hook up with a processor and so on to retrieve, have the head mounted, and deliver had and processed meat and you never have to leave the chair either.

Bowhunting. Lol.

Nothing from me - I believe drone scouting is unethical.

OP - It's been thee years since your last troll-through, let's make it another three years or more before your next visit.

I've "embraced" more tech in my right wing armament pylons than in your toy, the control board, and the Prius you drove to the field site in.

You notice that crackerjackass has left the building when no one seemed to like his attitude about poaching- not to mention the minor little item about needing a commercial license from the FAA. Imagine that.....

What happened to the good ol' days when you waited until 50 post to start talking sh*t to other members.

I wouldn't let you pay me to do it. I ENJOY it and damn sure don't want anything to bother my deer.

Here is a cut / paste from one of his other post about drones.

........................................................


Unfortunately, there will be situations where it's impossible for a game warden to track a drone back to it's operator or launch point --- and then just as hard to prove someone was using it to assist in hunting game.

If a hunter's wife is sitting in a cabin a mile away and she's operating the drone, I just can't see a game warden being able to chase the drone in his state-issued pickup truck across a swamp or barbed wire fencing or some other hellish terrain back to the cabin to slap a fine on the wife. The wife could simply say she was flying her drone on a nice day and filming the landscape and the game animals just happened to be in view. She'll walk out of court in a New York minute with the game warden and judge giving each other dumb looks.

Sorry, but more and more people are going to use drones for hunting and a few silly state game laws aint gonna stop a damn thing grin

I wonder if Mr. Clever realizes the fact, that the posts online showing a clear intent and method of circumventing the Law, have already sunk any type of defense in court?

A helicopter will spook game much more than any drone and from much father away and can also legally operate at
low drone altitudes mentioned. A belligerent who fires at and/or hits such that is legally operating under FFA, should
get ready for an unannounced meeting with state and federal agents.

but Im sure the AA tough talk only applies to swatting small flies not big ones...so its really kind of comical

91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; general

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere – An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas – Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of
1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas – An altitude of 500 feet above the surface except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case,
the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters – Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed In paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is
conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with routes or
altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

Helicopter operations may be conducted below the minimum altitudes set for fixed-wing aircraft. The reason: they have unique operating
characteristics, the most important of which is their ability to execute pinpoint emergency landings during power-out emergencies. Furthermore
, the helicopter's increased use by law enforcement and emergency medical service agencies requires added flexibility.

Are you a complete idiot, or did you fail to complete the course? Shooting at a helicopter is shooting at people, OF COURSE the cops would be involved. . It must be operated under the professional licence, and would still require permits to operate as a business, similar to the drone operator
. Used in the same manner as proposed for the drone, it would be just as illegal, and more dangerous. You are comparing Apples to oranges and claiming it's watermelon.
Theree is no viable comparison. If the pilot of a helicopter circled me on stand at the same range as the drone I spoke of, we would both end up dead as the blades shattered on the tree. If it were used to run game and assist in poaching as described by the OP, there would be much higher penalties involved.
If it was used in such an unprofessional, and dangerous method, and in such close proximity to a hunter on stand, a charge for shooting it down, may well be covered as Self Defence, for clearly the pilot's actions would be a very real threat to the life of the hunter.

(If you can go this stupid, you are really reaching)

LOL, yes and? ..since nobody has stated otherwise, then whats your point?
In any case my orig FAA info post does not only apply to commercial ops....nor did I specify just commercial ops.



Heli even when used according to legal FAA limits for whats deemed 'aerial work' specifically ,would still spook the hell out of your game.




Im talking about FFA legal op. limits for helicopter..( see earleir)...if the limits are followed FAA considers you as being safe, snowflake...




LOL what a drama queen , have ever actually witnessed how close to people helis can legally operate?....
but that aside, even buzzing 500t above tree tops would pose no threat to you. and game would still scatter like hell.



Shooting down a piloted aircraft is OK?....you have lost your flippin mind.
try it and you will also lose everything you own......like said earlier your tough stance is comical.

As I stated, NONE of your variables match enough for any type of comparison. Yes, once again you have proven yourself an idiot. I have professional experience working around helicopters, and other aircraft.

..." at
low drone altitudes mentioned. "... and a liar.
Would I shoot a driver trying to kill me with his car? Of course. No different with a pilot trying to kill me with his helicopter.

Edit: sir, if you are incapable of arguing your point, within the Parameters you yourself set , you are no longer worth conversing with.

LOL, no responsible heli owner is going to recklessly run his rotors into trees just to circle and get close look at you.
off the rails crazy talk.




someone operating within FAA is construed by you as trying to kill you?


you mentioned your annoyance about hunts being screwed up by aerial activity
and I mentioned helis spooking game while operating within FAA. ...but you cant
see the similarity or how one can relate to the other......really?



Yes 'at low drone alts mentioned', evidently you have never witnessed helis legally operating
around people in the drone alts mentioned.



yet insufficient experience or knowledge understand what I am saying.

Come fly that sucker over my land and I will shoot it down and I bet you a 500 bucks.. When you call the sheriff in the county I Hunt He will tell you to [bleep] Off.....


If I shoot your Drone Down ....How you going to prove it was me or whomever... If it has to be within a 100 feet to see antler....I would shoot it down from long Range. No pic no proof...


I shot one Down Already flying in my back yard......Stomped it in to little pieces and Drove it to the dump...Guy shows up about one Hour Later looking for it......I told him I saw it Flying over!!!! Looked like it was Headed for towards the Dump....The look on the Guys face was priceless...

LOL, this thread is hilarious, the 'hard' is the part of bowhunting we all try to conquer, if not, we'd all wait on rifle season, if it was just about killing, I could corn the field behind my house and shoot deer to 600+ yards 24/7/365 all year long.

I'd spend about 11.99 for your services

Now your post is relevant in the bow hunting forum

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...bgKjm1QIViZF-Ch3FTwneEAQYAiABEgJW6fD_BwE


Cant believe all of the idiots that use some stupid gadget to make a buck from hunters

Aside from the legalities and ethics, does one 30 minute session have half a chance of showing that big buck that might be using the spot?
Where I hunt, especially during the rut, bucks tend to be wherever the does lead them. Not regular visitors to the same spot, or very punctual. They may show up several days a week, but not on that day we're checking on them. That doesn't even account for the old bucks that scent check a field from within the heavy brush. I've got cameras out year round in unpressured areas, even in the summer it might be 3-4 days between sightings of specific bucks.
OP shows not only a lack of ethics, but knowledge of deer behavior as well.

GFY

Crackajackass seems to have pulled an Elvis and left the building.

Typical poaching pussy

Like I already said --- shooting down a $1000+ drone in ALL 50 states is at least a Class 3 felony vandalism charge punishable by up to 2 years in a state penitentiary.

Go ahead and try shooting down my drone --- I will put you and your Barney Fife sheriff in the same 6x9 cell --- you can cuddle all night long !!

Nothing

When the rut kicks in --- of course the bucks will follow the does --- but the does usually follow familiar trails that lead them to reliable feeding areas.

That is where my drone scouting really pays off. Good ole fashioned recon work from one little 2-lb. plastic drone that can do the work of 10 fat guys huffin' and puffin' around on foot !!

sure as sunrise in the morning, so WHY the need for a drone. Just sit on the "familiar trails" and shoot one. Doesn't take a rocket scientist, or an idiot with a drone, to pattern a whitetail.

Boots and Alpha glass, that's what I spend my money on for scouting.

Ooh tough guy talk.. well at least your not going to beat him in front of his kids. Like you are prone to doing sometimes..

I would like to use your services.

Do you travel?

I have a hunt coming up in North Korea.

I'll pay your ticket there.

Thx

I'd help pay for the ticket!!

Another classic example of "technology will replace the need for skill & knowledge."

What a phu..ing loser!

Well his plan won’t work in several states cause they have banned there use..

Nada

I'd report you for asking...

Had an issue with a neighbor and a drone...glad I live in wild and wonderful WV!

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_S....htm&yr=2017&sesstype=RS&i=9

Particularly like these:

(1) To take photographs or other types of images of another person without the other person’s permission where the person being photographed or whose image is being captured has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

(c) Any person who operates an unmanned aircraft system under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be confined in jail for not less than twenty-four hours nor more than one year, fined not less than $100 or more than $5,000, or both fined and confined.

Almost always a beer involved...

And then we have this one:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=20&art=2&section=5

(5) Use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to hunt, take or kill a wild bird or wild animal, or to use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to drive or herd any wild bird or wild animal for the purposes of hunting, trapping or killing;

Guessing there is a fine line between driving/Herding and "scouting" but I guess you have burden of proof...