How do I build a drone with an infrared camera for tracking deer?

Seeking Advice
21

What’s the budget for this? You might want to look into a Mavic 2 EA or 3T.

22

Vince said:
What’s the budget for this? You might want to look into a Mavic 2 EA or 3T.

Exactly. Building one from scratch will be more effort and won’t match the quality of something off the shelf. FPV drones aren’t ideal for this either.

23

Using drones for deer recovery is common where I live in the Midwest. It’s much faster than using dogs. I doubt anyone is trying to use it to find live deer since that’s illegal.

24

For infrared, the Caddx system works well and can be adapted for thermal use. Infrared is great for night vision, but if he wants thermal, it’ll cost more.

25

Qi said:
Can your boss fly FPV? It’s not as easy as it looks, and FPV drones aren’t ideal for scanning the ground. A ready-made thermal drone would be better.

He’s been practicing with my drones, so he can fly.

26

The rules depend on the state. In some places, even using a drone to find a carcass is illegal. On private property, it might be allowed though.

27

I built an infrared drone recently. Works great in low light with IR flashlights. Used the RunCam Link Digital Night Eagle camera for the setup.

28

In many states, this is illegal. You can look up examples like this case: https://placehold.co/600x400.png

29

Tracking deer this way is tricky. Some areas are stricter than others. You should always check local laws first.

30

Kai said:
Tracking deer this way is tricky. Some areas are stricter than others. You should always check local laws first.

True, and I told him that too. But he insists he’s fine since it’s private land.

31

He’ll need a Part 107 license to fly legally. And thermal cameras aren’t as effective in dense forests as some think.

32

Micah said:
He’ll need a Part 107 license to fly legally. And thermal cameras aren’t as effective in dense forests as some think.

I tried explaining that, but he thinks private land means no rules. I’ll show him all this to make my point.

33

@Peyton
Remind him that private land doesn’t exempt him from FAA airspace rules. Flying indoors would be the only exception.