Do any of you use a drone to search swamps and waterways for beaver sign? I've never played with a drone but just stumbled across the idea while surfing youtube. It got me thinking maybe a drone could be helpful. What kind of drone do you have, you high tech rednecks?

I’ve never used one but I read an article that Tracy Truman(Lazarus)wrote about using them to scout. Seemed like in certain circumstances it would be quite handy

I wonder if it is legal in your state? If you construe trapping to be hunting it is illegal here in Oregon.

Did a lot of aerial beaver surveys over the years,but never with a drone.

Got to love the irony of someone going by the name" Gogitter " asking about an easier way .

They would work good for scouting .imo

I'm not as young as I used to be Art! My wife says work smarter, not harder!

Lol right there with you .

I would think they would come in handy to check traps that are a good hike into where you can't drive. If legal of course...

I bought one to add a different dimension to the videos we're starting to make for our YouTube channel... but I did use it one especially cold morning to check a small line from the truck instead of having to unload the 4-wheeler. Check out the opening scene in our intro video in the link in my signature line... they can definitely produce some awesome footage!

Pretty cool Greg! What kind do you have and is it easy to learn to use?

This is the last beaver pond I trapped took 8 beaver and 2 otters the owner pulled down the dam the week before we got there. The pond had been there for 15 years the drone helped by knowing what traps to carry in where.

I think its a great idea and thought about using mine for just that in the future.

many of us use Google Earth before ever leaving the house.

Several years ago, I was ask to take out problem Beaver.
Nephew came along to scout and brought his drone.
What a time saver and I didn't have to walk far to confirm two dams and how much equipment to carry.
We didn't have to tramp around, disturbing things while scouting. Only time I used a drone. I saw the benefits with drone and scouting.

I know a beaver trapper who flies his drone down every ditch looking for beaver dams before he even puts on his waders. He tells me he won't trap beaver without flying the area first. Know I don't know If It's legal or not but It's not my problem.

I can understand where using a drone to hunt deer or similar animals would be illegal when it comes to fair chase. But, using a drone to look for beaver activity is different, IMO. But, just because I don't think it should be illegal doesn't mean it isn't.

I know here in MN you can't use one to check your traps but not sure about scouting. I don't see how it couldn't be legal for scouting but agrwith Trapper7.

Wisconsin just says that you can't use for hunting. Scouting or looking at potential area to hunt/trap in the future is no problem. I have used mine many times for this reason. Scouting a duck pond that is a hefty walk back to see if it's being used. Flying hard to reach river bottoms or deep public land to see what changes have occurred such as logging, wind storm damage. Certain times of the year you can see trails, escape routes in real time that may or may not be different from the google maps. If you hunt the same day you scouted that's when the legality comes into play. At least that is our wardens take on it.

If your using a drone for damage control you would need a Part 107 license to legally fly the drone because your being compensated. might even be iffy using it for a regular trapline because you well the furs. I can't legally fly my drones to take pictures of my dads farm fields for him because its considered commercial even if I don't make money because it is helping his business