I can see issues with invasion of privacy, but I don't see a problem with using a drone as a scouting tool. That is, assuming it is legal. I have heard of laws that pertain to flying an hunting on the same day, but I don't know if there is a law that may restrict one's scouting from being "aided by an aircraft". Also, I don't really think it would be all that useful. Sure you could see deer out in the open, but you can probably see those same deer another way.
I mean absolutely no offense, oldhoyt my friend, but IMO only, I see a huge problem with such as a scouting "tool".
To me, it would be yet another addition of "new and improved" gizmos CREATED TO remove any and all effort required to have a "successful hunt" (unfortunately, mostly viewed today only when game is taken) by replacing age old, and for a lack of a better word "traditional" method of true hunting, aka getting off one's keister and putting in the leg work, time, effort and sweat to accomplish something that is supposed to be FUN.
Most of us older folks recall when "the challenge" of hunting was viewed as a positive thing and not something to overcome.
Not a direct quote, but Jay Massey once said that "Satisfaction of taking a game animal is directly proportional to the amount of effort mandatory to take it."
I feel that is applicable and accurate for anything a person desires to do or obtain and it is even easy to see where, for something NOT intended to be enjoyable the extra time and effort makes such a bigger PIA.
All our lives we have been geared towards making jobs or tasks at work somehow less difficult or more quickly accomplished. Everything from mowing the yard to re-roofing the house we would LOVE to find ways to take any of the time and effort away from getting it done and this is justifiable and greatly desired.
What, to me, appears to have happened is we have stayed in that "gear" and applied such to things we do for entertainment, as a hobby, or literally anything meant to be enjoyable. People and manufacturers keep coming up with any kind of technological product or method to remove as much of these same two factors (time and effort) as possible.
Why learn HOW to do something and spend the time required and put in the effort when one can just spend the bucks and never have to. <------ That is a curse to hunting's future.
The heritage of hunting once handed down from generation to generation included many hours together afield, teaching, learning, sharing God's gift of the outdoors together. Each step of the process the youngster successfully accomplished was a proud moment in both party's eyes.
As an example of how hunting being too easy takes away from the satisfaction allow me to share two scenarios.
You have spotted a "shooter" buck (in your opinion) and will hunt the season attempting to take THAT buck. A very honorable quest, I might add.
In scenario #1 you have located him, watched him, know his habits, and photographed him and have done all of this sitting in front of your computer through purchased instrumentation to do so........and you shoot him opening morning.
In scenario #2 you have located him, watched him, know his habits and photographed him as best you could without spooking him, all on foot spending numerous hours in the field doing so. You hunt hard but are only able to take him the very last day of season through dedication, time and sweat.
To each of YOU.........WHICH of these scenarios would be the most memorable, most satisfying and most enjoyable hunt.......and in which scenario would that SAME buck be a "bigger" trophy?
I myself have been trapped in the "buy this and make it easier" advertising snare but, fortunately, I have also lived long enough to recognize the fact that most, if not all, of the ones purchase......TOOK AWAY from the satisfaction and in the long run reduced the true "goals" that were taught to me by my Dad, and his Dad to him years before and have stopped using them, limiting myself to what items I happen to like best and are legal.
The day I am unable to scout, and plan and endure the required time and effort mandatory to really hunt grows closer each year and even though I dread the arrival of that inevitable point in time I just don't see how any number of purchasable gadgets to make it "easier" could ever replace such and provide me with anything close in satisfaction.
There are many alterations of this semi-quote but for me, for hunting, nothing could be more accurate.
"It's not the destination (or goal) that matters, it's the journey or path you follow to get there".
God bless, My apologies for any unintended hard feelings this may create. Please don't allow for such. If this only reaches ONE new hunter, and opens his eyes, I am a happy old hunter.
Steve
