How does drone wildlife recovery work?

We use advanced drone technology to search areas that can be difficult or time-consuming to cover on foot. After discussing your situation and property location, we plan a flight path and use aerial thermal imaging to search for signs of harvested game or missing livestock.

Response time depends on weather, availability, and location. During hunting season, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible so we can determine availability and get you on the schedule.

Yes. Our thermal imaging capabilities allow us to search during low-light conditions and improve visibility when recovering game. The drone is also equipped with a spotlight to further confirm a successful harvest.

When we locate the deer, we have to verify a confirmed kill before you’re able to harvest the deer. If the deer is not dead yet, it is illegal to go complete the harvest.

We won’t give up there though. If we determine the shot will kill the deer and we believe it will, we will return in the morning to verify it has passed for no additional charge. At that point, we will give you the coordinates to recover the carcass.

While drone technology greatly improves search efficiency, recovery cannot be guaranteed. Terrain, weather conditions, animal movement, and time since the shot can all affect results. Our goal is to provide the most thorough search possible using professional equipment.

Facts are the FAA controls the airspace. Flying a drone over private property is generally allowed as long as you follow the normal flight rules. Our Pilots carry the Part 107 License and are aware of these regulations.

Property owners do not own the airspace above their land in a way that lets them ban overflight. (Over Flight = Wis. Stat. § 114.04 → Flight is lawful unless it is so low that it intentionally interferes with the owner’s existing use of the land, or is dangerous/damaging.) That being said, property owners DO have a right to privicy and we take every precaution to honor that. (Wis. Stat. § 942.10 - It is illegal to intentionally photograph/record/observe a person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy (backyards, windows, etc.).)

Wisconsin DNR considers these factors when using a drone to assist in a recovery:

• Did the hunter already make a reasonable effort to find the deer on foot?

• Is there a solid reason to believe the deer is already dead (good shot placement, strong blood trail, etc.)?

• Is the flight occurring during shooting hours while people still have weapons?

• Is the drone being used to pursue a wounded/crippled animal?

If the deer is believed dead and you’re only locating the carcass, the DNR views it as recovery.