Wildgame Recovery
Find Your Game with Cutting-Edge Technology
We offer professional thermal drone services using the advanced DJI Mavic 3T to help hunters recover deer and elk across Central Montana’s landscapes. Our thermal imaging technology enables us to locate animals swiftly and effectively, even in dense forests, low-light conditions, or rugged terrain. For optimal results, we recommend scheduling searches at night, when thermal imaging performs best due to cooler ambient temperatures and clearer heat signatures. Daytime searches are possible but can be more challenging due to higher temperatures and environmental interference.
Being hunters ourselves, our experienced team is committed to assisting you in recovering your game, saving you valuable time and effort.
How It Works
Our recovery process is designed to be efficient and effective:
Initial Consultation: Contact us to provide details about your hunt, including the location and circumstances of the lost game.
Drone Deployment: Our skilled operators deploy the DJI Mavic 3T, equipped with high-resolution thermal imaging, to scan the area. The drone’s advanced sensors detect heat signatures, with the best results achieved during nighttime operations when animals’ heat signatures stand out more clearly.
Recovery Guidance: Once located, we provide precise coordinates or guide you directly to the animal, ensuring a quick recovery.
Benefits of Using Thermal Drones
Superior Nighttime Performance: Night searches yield the best results, as cooler temperatures enhance the clarity of thermal imaging, making it easier to detect animals’ heat signatures against the environment.
Enhanced Detection in Tough Conditions: Thermal imaging excels in low-visibility settings, such as fog, darkness, or dense vegetation, where traditional tracking methods often fail. Daytime searches, while feasible, are less effective due to environmental heat interference.
Time Efficiency: Drones cover large areas quickly, reducing search time compared to ground-based tracking, which can take hours or days.
Higher Success Rates: The DJI Mavic 3T’s advanced technology, especially during nighttime operations, increases the likelihood of locating your game.
Pricing Details
Base Fee: $150 per recovery mission
Mileage: Charged at the current federal mileage rate
Success Fee: $500 additional fee if the animal is successfully located
Why Partner with Us?
State-of-the-Art Equipment: The DJI Mavic 3T’s thermal imaging delivers exceptional results, particularly during nighttime searches.
Skilled Drone Pilots: Our operators are expertly trained to navigate Montana’s diverse terrains and optimize drone performance in varying conditions.
Prompt and Dependable: We prioritize rapid response times, with flexible scheduling to accommodate nighttime searches for maximum success.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Reach out today to book your deer or elk recovery mission in Montana! For the best results, we recommend scheduling your search at night.
Understanding Montana’s Drone Regulations for Hunting
Legal Guidelines for Drone Use in Game Recovery
The use of drones for hunting-related activities in Montana is governed by a dynamic set of regulations designed to balance ethical hunting practices with modern technology. According to Ron Howell, head of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ (FWP) Enforcement Division, drones play a valuable role in game recovery under specific conditions.
Howell clarifies, “Our guidance to wardens is clear: if a drone locates a deceased animal, hunters are permitted to recover it, as the hunt has concluded. Our priority is preventing meat waste and ensuring hunters can responsibly retrieve and process their game.”
However, the rules are more complex when a drone identifies a live animal. Howell notes, “If the animal is found alive, hunters cannot pursue it again on the same day,” due to regulations classifying drones as “aircraft” in Montana’s hunting laws.
Key Regulations for Compliance
To ensure compliance with Montana’s drone laws, hunters and operators must follow these guidelines:
Recovery-Only Purpose: Drones may only be used to locate animals that have been legally shot and are either wounded or deceased. Using drones to scout or pursue live game during an active hunt is prohibited.
Same-Day Restriction: If a live animal is located, further hunting of that animal is not allowed on that calendar day.
Ethical Conduct: Drones must not harass wildlife, disturb other hunters, or disrupt the environment, maintaining the principles of fair chase.
FWP Oversight: FWP wardens enforce these rules to promote ethical recovery and prevent misuse, with potential penalties including fines or license suspensions for violations.
FAA Compliance: All drone operations must adhere to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, including airspace restrictions, registration requirements, and maintaining visual line-of-sight.