The first time I used my drone for scouting, I flew it over a cornfield that had been ravaged by bears chowing down to fatten up for winter. I wanted to assess the damage, see where they were coming from, and update the farmer. I was floored by the scope of the damage. Acres of corn were flattened.
The next shocker was the actual bears. I flew a drone for 10 minutes over half of the field and saw eight bears actively feasting. No wonder there was so much damage.
Drones provide significant benefits for hunters, when used ethically and legally. My drone has become a key part of scouting for a variety of different hunts. It provides me with a bird’s eye view of hunting areas – letting me assess terrain, roads, access, water, and a variety of other key habitat features when planning hunts. I can do this quickly, from one location. I limit time spent banging my truck or ATV down rough, wet roads, or walking into areas that can’t be accessed with a vehicle. While it is hard to beat a boots-on-the- ground scouting approach, this is the next best thing. A drone can make your scouting trips highly efficient.
You can’t see things like tracks, beds, browse, and other sign, but the view from above gives you a general idea of an area before you narrow in on key spots that warrant a second look on foot.
Planning hunts
It is also nice having real-time images and video of the hunting area, especially when creating hunting strategies. Satellite imagery is nice but often not up to date. With drone imagery, you can prepare strategies and plans before deciding who will go where, and how you will approach a certain cut system.
The primary times I use my drone is when scouting and planning for moose hunting, and when scouting for bear hunts in standing corn. I do a lot of bear hunting in corn. It is a unique, exciting hunt in areas where bears are concentrated.
Some corn fields get hit harder than others, and those that get hit can have certain areas bears are drawn to. Whether the crop in one section ripens quicker, or they have different varieties, some areas remain untouched while others are nearly levelled. A drone lets me look at the areas with the most damage, see where bears are likely accessing the field, and helps me decide where I am going to set up to watch the edge of the corn.
For moose scouting, I use a drone a lot to scope out areas off main logging roads. It helps me be more efficient, covering more area in a shorter period of time. I may have a long list of areas marked off on my map to check, and it’s generally impossible to drive or walk into them all in a day.
Modernized scouting
The drone has modernized my scouting. I can stop on the main road and fly into these areas for a look-see. It can be tough to determine the height of vegetation, but with some practice, you will understand what you are looking at. Drones give you a look at where the cut is, along with skidder trails, small ponds, pockets of cover, and other key features. If it looks good, it might be worth a closer look on the ground. Drones also help you determine if any roads are blocked, or washed, or dug out. Some cut systems may have been cut in winter via roads that are not driveable. Flying a drone in first lets you see what potential the area has, or what could be challenging — like spotting where a road has become a wetland.
I like to access dirty, rough areas to hunt. To get off the beaten path where moose may be more comfortable, and where hunters may be limited. In these situations, however, getting a moose out can prove challenging. A drone can help assess these conditions before you invest the time walking in on a scouting day. Ideally, I will find a piece of high ground to launch from, where I can keep the drone in view as I scope out or photograph areas.
No drone hunting
You cannot use a drone to actively hunt, and this is where things get a little tricky. You certainly cannot use the drone to locate an animal, and then go and target it. This is where hunters need to ensure they are being responsible, ethical, and legal, since this tool has great potential to be abused. As tempting as it could be to locate a moose, then try and sneak into range, it is illegal, unethical, and not a way any true hunter should want to find success.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Provincial Enforcement Specialist William Johnson shared more on the matter, including how it is illegal to use an aircraft while hunting under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA). “Hunting includes lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed,” he says. “The prohibition on the use of aircraft is intended to promote wildlife conservation and reflect ethical, safety, and conservation concerns.”
By law, drones are considered aircraft.
“As a result, aerial drones may not be used by hunters while hunting. The prohibition on the use of aerial drones is consistent with Ontario’s policy approach for hunting with other types of aircraft,” Johnson adds. “While drones may be used for other recreational activities like wildlife viewing and photography, aircraft may not be used in direct connection to the hunting activity, such as to search for a game animal which is subsequently pursued by the hunter.”
What links the use of the aircraft, and the more traditional understanding of hunting will be situation based – much like pre-season scouting is different than hunting, Johnson explains.
Drones for scouting
Using a drone for scouting accessible areas such as corn fields in advance of hunting season would not be considered using an aircraft while hunting under the FWCA. Provided there is sufficient evidence that you are not hunting (not possessing a firearm while using the drone, for example). However, failing to possess a firearm on its own does not necessarily mean a person is not hunting, Johnson says.
“Hunting includes searching for wildlife and therefore using a drone to locate wildlife which is subsequently killed or harassed would be prohibited whether or not the operator is in possession of a gun at the time. For example, the use of a drone to locate or monitor the movements of an animal (i.e., searching for wildlife) while the hunter gets into a position to intercept or shoot the animal would meet the definition of hunting and would be unlawful while the use of a drone to film the activity of the hunt likely falls outside of the definition of hunting. You also must not harass wildlife while using the drone as harassing wildlife is considered hunting.”
Harassing wildlife is another one that can be hard to define, particularly when it comes to how close you can go to animals. I try to fly high, mainly monitoring the terrain, corn damage, and other features while trying to avoid flying right over any animals I encounter. While there is no defined minimum distance, anything that disturbs animals, can, in theory, be construed as harassment. Give them a wide berth.
Timelines
The question of when a hunter can hunt after flying into a location is common at these hunts.
There is no timeline limiting hunters from hunting the same day they fly in, and the same applies for drones. Johnson said that the FWCA does not prescribe a length of time between when wildlife is spotted with a drone and when hunting may occur.
Choosing a drone
Drone technology has grown exponentially. In terms of photo/video quality and price, the options available are incredible. I have a DJI Mini 2. A package with three batteries costs a bit over $600. Its control, reliability, and flight stability are impressive. The platform is easy to learn, and the picture and video quality are impressive. The next generation Mini 3 offers significantly more features. For less than $1,000 you can get the drone with three batteries and a remote with a built-in screen.
Recovery
This is a tricky one, and in relation to searching for downed game, Johnson said doing so would not be considered hunting but searching for game that was wounded would be considered hunting. “The use of a drone would thus be allowed to search for dead game, but the difficulty is often knowing if the game is dead or not.”
Johnson said to be extra careful with how a drone is used.
“Even if the operator stays outside the definition of hunting, other members of the public may not understand what is happening and trigger an investigation, which may not be a welcome part of the hunting experience,” he says, pointing out there are other laws to consider, too. “There are federal laws related to respecting the privacy rights of others when using a drone, and other laws that may apply to drone use,” he says. “It is the responsibility of the operator to comply with all other applicable laws when using a drone. Consult Transport Canada for general regulations regarding the use of drones and flying them safely.”
Mini drones can be a game-changing tool for hunters. I can’t stress enough, however, the need for strong morals and ethics, and an understanding of the law when using them. If used properly, they can greatly assist hunters in becoming more efficient. Drones provide great information and are fun and interesting to use. You will quickly learn a lot more about the areas that you are hunting. Since they can be abused, hunters must ensure that they are responsible and treat our quarry fairly, following the rules regarding drone use at all times.
The rules
The following information is summarized from Transport Canada’s page “Flying your drone safely and legally,” and for those flying or considering a drone, it would be wise to review all the available information from this authority.
Pilots of micro drones (under 250 grams) are not bound by the same requirements as other drones, and don’t need to register their drone or get a drone pilot certificate to fly them. However, you must not operate your drone in a reckless or negligent manner to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of anyone.
While there are no prescriptive elements of the regulations, there is an expectation of the pilot of a micro drone to use good judgment, identify potential hazards, and take all necessary steps to avoid any risks associated with flying your drone.
Quick facts
As a good practice, you should:
- Maintain direct line of sight to the drone
- Not fly your drone above 400 feet
- Keep a safe lateral distance between your drone and any bystanders
- Stay far away from aerodromes/airports, heliports and water dromes
- Avoid flying near critical infrastructure (utilities, communication towers, bridges, etc.)
- Stay clear of aircraft at all times
- Do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
- Keep the drone close enough to maintain the connection with the remote controller
- Avoid special aviation or advertised events
Note: If you choose a drone above the 250-gram limit, the rules change significantly. Your drone must be registered, you must have a valid pilot licence, and there are other restrictions you need to be aware of. For recreational users like this story discusses, your best bet is a micro drone like the DJI Mini series.
Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2023 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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