Drone Stalking - A Modern Option?

[EddieArran505]

Hello All - I`ve recently started to use a drone to locate deer both for stalking and for observation/census purposes.
I can quickly check the land out almost silently without disturbance to the deer who generally are completely unaware I am observing and recording them in stunning 4k.

Scenario : You think there may be deer over the brow of a large hill and you need to confirm this and quantify what you have.
Do you;
a) Prepare yourself for a possibly fruitless and tough slog up the mountain for an hour or more in the traditional way.
b) Send your drone up in minutes and take a thorough look around identifying numbers, sex, location etc. in rapid time to justify the climb for you or your client or your deer manager.
Discuss

 

[PaulCat]

Oh this is going to end well.

 

[StephenToast]

I can't see a problem with it. I'm not enough of a nerd to want a drone so I won't be doing it but good luck to you if it works and is legal.

 

[Corvid]

4k hope it's got thermal capabilities as well

 

[EddieArran505]

No thermal as yet and no aerial gun platform either!

 

[Corvid]

No thermal as yet and no aerial gun platform either!

Joking aside sounds like it could be very useful for deer count's etc.

 

[sh1kar]

A. And smell the roses along the way. Enjoy the view. And spot the gold medal that has wandered into view 59 minutes and 58 secs into my fruitless stalk .....

 

[ColinBr]

Can see this being a useful tool for estates to gain numbers of deer.

I wouldnt use it for stalking though. Things are already being made easier with the use of thermal on the ground, never mind in the air. At least give them a chance, or it might get boring.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Great idea for counting/research etc and call me old fashioned but I really do not think it is ethical to use a drone on recreational stalking. As an aside I wonder if the contractors are using them?

 

[sh1kar]

All stalking success is only ever a function of two things
Time and Space
There may well be zillions of deer over brow that drone spots But when you get there?
There may be none drone spots. But when you get there?
Experience, mood and outlook is all. After all. We are enjoying wandering through through T and S. Deciding when to stop. Spot. Scan. Change route. Encounter. Stalk

S

 

[starr shot]

Why not cut the middle man out,meaning the drone and pay somebody to go out and stalk the deer for you at least then somebody will get some exercise and enjoy the experience of pitting your wits and senses against Mother Nature and you can go off and enjoy flying your drone.Bargain Two happy people

 

[sikamalc]

Not on my watch you wouldnt.

If you can be bothered to walk the ground and get to know where your deer are and the terrain you will never make a stalker. I had a client ask me once if he could bring his drone on a booked stalk. Sure, no problem I replied, and I will bring my shotgun, to blow it out of the sky.

Drones might have their place, but not for stalking and finding deer.

 

[slider]

Joking aside sounds like it could be very useful for deer count's etc.

Drones with thermal cameras are already being used for deer counts in the Highlands

 

[Cumbrian 1]

I suppose the real question is why do you stalk and the answers will be as varied as the individuals asked. I stalk for a hobby, it’s not all about getting a deer but a holistic experience that encompasses many things.

I like the fact that the outcome is far from certain, I.e. the element of lady luck, my mental well being benefits from escaping from the day to day routine, exercise, solitude, self discipline, time with the pooch, being awake at the best time of day as the rest of the world sleeps, being out in all weathers, seeing other wildlife, witnessing events in nature you would never see from your couch and many other reasons.

The most memorable stalks are when you to stalk to a head of a valley after seeing nothing, thinking the morning stalk is finished and then a lovely old buck just appears as by magic.

I had a friend with me who brought a thermal and it really opened my eyes but it wasn’t for me, I could see its use if you were a professional or for fox control.

In summary what I mean is pulling the trigger is a small part, for me hunting is the memories and experiences that define us as individuals.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hello All - I`ve recently started to use a drone to locate deer both for stalking and for observation/census purposes.
I can quickly check the land out almost silently without disturbance to the deer who generally are completely unaware I am observing and recording them in stunning 4k.

Scenario : You think there may be deer over the brow of a large hill and you need to confirm this and quantify what you have.
Do you;
a) Prepare yourself for a possibly fruitless and tough slog up the mountain for an hour or more in the traditional way.
b) Send your drone up in minutes and take a thorough look around identifying numbers, sex, location etc. in rapid time to justify the climb for you or your client or your deer manager.
Discuss

I think you need to find a new hobby

 

[jimmy milnes]

It's a natural progression an a good representation of society today...
Everyone wants it easy and everyone wants it now......

 

[bowji john]

I can see it employed in surveys and in an anti poaching role where it would be a real force multiplier

Remember though, in this country commercial use of drones requires a commercial pilot’s licence and insurance

 

[Jamouk]

Whats next... locate the deer from your sofa at home by remote control and then call in an air strike ?

 

[Freeforester]

Drones with thermal cameras are already being used for deer counts in the Highlands

For sure a cheaper airtime option than a helicopter, and the wee thermal cameras deployed are certainly very clear in showing what is there, and permit amy user to count up numbers at the fireside or even the office.

 

[Chris J]

I have thought about this myself - but for flying our rides looking for fallen trees. We get a lot of windblown stuff and it makes getting down a ride very difficult at times. It would be great to be able to do a fly over and see where blockages are then just go in with the chainsaw and clear them up rather than come across them right in the middle of a stalk. Our patch is 300 miles away so it's not like we can just take a wander one afternoon and see what's what. Sometime the blockage can be 20 or so trees at a time. Using it to survey would be a useful thing. I don't mean fly the drone 300 miles for a look before some smart Alec asks.