Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Pa. man in trouble using drone for deer recovery

Agree with Calvin and others. This sounds more like a case of someone who had a drone and just wanted to use it. Kind of stupid

I wonder who thinks drones shouldn't be used for big game but use pointers or retrievers for waterfowl or gamebirds??

Should big game tracking dogs be outlawed as well?

Look at how many states have outlawed the use if hounds for mountain lions and probably bears. It's just a start.

It's very obvious in this case that the drone was being used to recover a wounded deer.

I wonder if PA has any applicable wanton waste or recovery effort laws.

The guy has a deer recovery business and even advertises his drone services. https://www.wingyds.com/

I have seen drone videos where a bad shot was made, animal left overnight and was still alive first the next day, let bed down for a while and finally died. Probably spoiled but at least a recovery was made.

Start tracking that deer and he is as good as gone.

The problem is if you make it legal for him, then it's legal for everyone. And then you get into the sticky situation where everyone can have a drone with them in the woods just in case they need it.

I would be very hesitant to introduce drone technology into hunting as it could have unintended consequences.

Exactly where I was going

Can't use drones to take or scout big game here in Oregon. Clearly spelled out in the regs.

How would most respond when sitting on their favorite stump and a drone sweeps by during season? I know what my inclination would be. I feel the same about 4-wheelers or bikes running cross country on public ground for retrievals. They don't make my day, but I have no issues with a hiker and his pack frame doing the same.

A buddy is a drone pilot. Without furnishing specifics, some creatures stand and stare while others clear the horizon. He is very careful with what he posts on the web.

I'd be fine with such on deeded property, but not public.

Should have read the regs before his first launch, so pinch him.

Just because a technology exist does not mean it should be included in fair chase.

Had an acquaintance that thought he should be allowed to pack his rifle while tracking a bull he wounded on the last evening of the season. Warden said, "season's over dude."

Having a history in research, I've seen IR drone images where one can spot nesting sparrows and mice along with coordinates in the dead of night. Great tool, but I speculate such would be abused. I could sure save a lot of leg work if such were legal in Or/Id,s Snake River Canyon.

We hunters are our Own worst enemies. Seems like a lot of people projecting here.

In most states you CANNOT cross a property line. If your deer crosses1 or multiple properties he is lost.

If you can find the deer laying in farmer joes woodlot, you can go right to his door and ask permission to recover a deer that would 100% rot otherwise.


It’s no wonder our country is where it is .

BINGO! I have a close friend that was a commissioner on our Pa. Game Commission. It is a 9 member panel for about a 10 year stint. He did a lot a of good things for us, for being a city boy, but he probably hunts more days than a lot of us do. Avid deer hunter, a rabid pheasant hunter, & keeps two Brittany's. From what he saw in the new day game warden is that they all want to be cops.

dog = remote controlled machine ?

Ah, no they can't !

We have fewer and fewer judges who would agree the burden of proof should be on law enforcement and if they can’t prove beyond reasonable doubt the decision should favor the citizen. January 6 and game recovery using drones comes to mind.

both lungs, more like 40-60 yards,

Possibly 100 -150 for 1 lung & liver.

More, if gut shot & pushed.

But, we are using the far superior, .243, 25-06 & 7mm-08.

Dude has a legit biz helping ppl I see nothing wrong

Bingo. Half the hunters will carry drones into the woods, and most of them will use the drone to scout for new deer to shoot.

Maybe require that the drone operator call the F&W cops before searching. He can give them a description of where the animal was shot and last seen, and the license number of the hunter. They then can tell him area allowed to search and times.

Wouldn't work in remote areas where cell coverage is spotty. Probably not allowed in wilderness areas.

You obviously have not done much deer hunting.

Even that .243 is putting more than a .30 caliber hole in lungs.

Recovery isn't scouting or taking.