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Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: trapper4002] #6828390
04/03/20 01:45 PM
04/03/20 01:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 524
Pa,
T
trapper4002 Offline
trapper
trapper4002  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 524
Pa,
Government overreach again


Cpl USMC. 1989-1993
Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828398
04/03/20 01:49 PM
04/03/20 01:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
WV
G
garymc Offline
trapper
garymc  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
WV
I have a Mavic Mini. I have been really pleased with it. I can see where it would be a good scouting tool and a nice check tool where legal. It takes some practice and if the winds approach 20 MPH+ with the Mavic Mini fly at you own risk because it can get hairy. The same with snow/rain. I can do both still pictures and video. Mavic offers insurance I think it was around $40 and it would replace the drone twice a year in the event you would crash it.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828448
04/03/20 02:35 PM
04/03/20 02:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Kanabec Cty, MN
D
Drakej Offline
trapper
Drakej  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Kanabec Cty, MN
I've used my sons to preseason scout those heavy cattail ponds that are a pain to access by water or wade to inventory houses built that can't be seen from ground level - what a time/effort saver! Can't see how it could be illegal as most electronic use laws are "prohibited in the taking of game", not getting an aerial view of landscape. Of coarse the M'rat pop in our area has crashed about 95% now(not related to trapping or drone use) so last fall out of several dozen waters checked only a hand full of houses found. Also tried it to confirm possible otter crossing locations found on goggle earth but having checked a few that didn't show from the air on foot I did find good ones hidden under cover.


I've learned enough thru the years to now know that I don't know enough. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOM.
Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828557
04/03/20 04:21 PM
04/03/20 04:21 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
Jumperzee Offline
trapper
Jumperzee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
I did some pretty extensive field testing of a Mavik Pro Platinum this year on the trapline. They are a great and fun tool to rapidly scout an area, with a few limitations. Depending on terrain, tree heights and your skill level, getting tight-in imagery (e.g. for trap checking) can be difficult. Few other things I learned:

- Buy the extra insurance/replacement plan. It's worth it. I've crashed mine more than I care to admit and for $90 "handling fee" I got a new one. It doesn't take much to make one stop flying and although they're pretty durable you have to have the crashed one in order to get the replacement. (Something to think about if flying over water)

- They don't save a whole lot of time for trap checking. They're fragile enough you can't have them bouncing around your pickup all day. By the time you set up the machine and your device(phone/tablet) on the controller, launch, acquire home point, fly back, put away safely, etc., etc it adds up. Again, they'll cover a whole lotta ground fast for scouting big areas, but a whole bunch of short range flights take time.

- Limited to good flight days - not many during our trapping season! So you'll have to hike in regardless some (most days). Open country or consistent nice weather would obviously change this.

- Need a good launch/recover place free from metal (magnetic interference). Rotor blades are pretty close to the ground and grass, snow won't work. The launch pad mats might be worth it depending on your situation, but it's one more thing.


Recommend a decent system to keep it safe/organized (drone, not the cow head):
[Linked Image]

Portable launch platform - trap bin!
[Linked Image]

Dropping down thru the trees is a challenge. Can get a lot of signal interference too. Had some wolf traps down around this meadow.
[Linked Image]

Crashes happen! Had to use a canoe to get it back this time. Some broken blades, but otherwise undamaged.
[Linked Image]

Can get some cool pics and footage though. Here's what happens when you're a doomas and try to drive the truck and fly the drone at the same time. Stuck!
[Linked Image]


Here's some messing around the house:



Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828558
04/03/20 04:23 PM
04/03/20 04:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 639
Jackson, Missouri
Greg / MO Offline
trapper
Greg / MO  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 639
Jackson, Missouri
Originally Posted by GoGitter
Pretty cool Greg! What kind do you have and is it easy to learn to use?


I have a DJI Mavic Air... and yes, it's SUPER easy to learn!

It's weird because the more expensive drones are WAY easier to fly than the $100 4" cheapies I used to play with … the technology is amazing, and it uses GPS satellites to help it hover and position itself. If you get in trouble, you can just let go of the sticks and it'll hover in place -- not crash wildly like the little toys. do.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828569
04/03/20 04:33 PM
04/03/20 04:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,691
Nevadafornia
L
Lazarus Offline
trapper
Lazarus  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,691
Nevadafornia
I have the Mavic Zoom so I have a 4-6 power lens to zoom in on things. I literally zoom in on my trap pan to tell if the trap is set or not. Saves lots of crashes as well. Incredible images and clarity. Saves tons of miles and hours. Not for everyone but until you start flying one, you probably won't believe what they will do and how you could use one.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: Lazarus] #6828580
04/03/20 04:48 PM
04/03/20 04:48 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
Jumperzee Offline
trapper
Jumperzee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
Originally Posted by Lazarus
I have the Mavic Zoom so I have a 4-6 power lens to zoom in on things. I literally zoom in on my trap pan to tell if the trap is set or not. Saves lots of crashes as well. Incredible images and clarity. Saves tons of miles and hours. Not for everyone but until you start flying one, you probably won't believe what they will do and how you could use one.


If I had to do it over again I'd go with the zoom for these reasons.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828600
04/03/20 05:08 PM
04/03/20 05:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
T
Trapper Don Offline
trapper
Trapper Don  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
I added a drone to our beaver control business about 4 years ago. I can check culverts on rail lines without crossing the tracks. I do flood control dam inspections with it. We check the impoundment area behind dams for beaver activity. Saves dragging a canoe off the truck each time. We have 28 chronic sites to check 4 times a ear. Power companies and pipelines prefer contractors not drive into wetlands. Use to inspect right of ways by utv with tracks fir smaller footprint. Now i get close then shoot hd video of the whole area. Then check on computer later. Can check traps across a pond and save time. We checked out legal status in MA,CT &NH all legal. I do have a commercialization drine operator lic. We carry a million dollar ins. Policy.
Saves time so charge additional fee. Companies live the photos in reports
Don LaFountain

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828642
04/03/20 05:54 PM
04/03/20 05:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,035
wyoming southeast
D
danvee Offline
trapper
danvee  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,035
wyoming southeast
How do they work in the wind 15mph

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: danvee] #6828789
04/03/20 07:50 PM
04/03/20 07:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
T
Trapper Don Offline
trapper
Trapper Don  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
15 mph would be my drones top wind speed. I would suggest starting flying into the wind so when your battery is low your not fighting the wind. In a cross wind of 15mph only fly short flights, it will be fighting it full flight.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828899
04/03/20 08:51 PM
04/03/20 08:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 113
NC
G
GoGitter Offline OP
trapper
GoGitter  Offline OP
trapper
G

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 113
NC
Then it's settled, I'm getting one! Technology is unbelievable these days.


Forgiveness is just a prayer away.
Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6828967
04/03/20 09:17 PM
04/03/20 09:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
B
Bigbrownie Offline
trapper
Bigbrownie  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,122
Pa.
I found a drone while checking traps two years ago. High end model, undamaged. Got the memory card out of it, watched it on my computer. Was able to see where it took off from....recognized the house and got it back to the owner.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6829149
04/03/20 10:45 PM
04/03/20 10:45 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
Jumperzee Offline
trapper
Jumperzee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
That's cool Bigbrownie. Super nice of you to do that.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6829661
04/04/20 10:59 AM
04/04/20 10:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,144
Ohio
BuckMink Offline
trapper
BuckMink  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,144
Ohio
which is the better one maverick air or zoom? have my commercial but still havn't bit the bullet.

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6829670
04/04/20 11:04 AM
04/04/20 11:04 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
How long and how far can they fly?


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: Boco] #6830069
04/04/20 05:14 PM
04/04/20 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
T
Trapper Don Offline
trapper
Trapper Don  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
Depending on model. Flight time is about 15 to 25 minutes on cheaper models.
Distance is in US. Line or sight. How far can you see? Must be able to see it at all times. Drones can fly miles. My old one can fly about a mile no problem. It can transmit video to my monitor at that distance.
In the future it will be legal to set way points and send it on its way. It will fly the course, take video the return to starting point, land and shut its self off. If drones today loos contact with the controller, they return to start point and land. Very cool to see.
Hope this helps
Don LaFountain

Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: GoGitter] #6830247
04/04/20 08:20 PM
04/04/20 08:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
Yep,thanks.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Drone use for trapping [Re: Aix sponsa] #6830304
04/04/20 08:56 PM
04/04/20 08:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
T
Trapper Don Offline
trapper
Trapper Don  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
I trap beaver full time year round. Getting paid for what you know, not the catch.
Drone just another tool in the box. I suggest charging your regular hourly fee to fly. You give client photos of their site. If just for regular trapping think increasing your catch decreasing time at site. You can do more locations in less time.

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