Drone vs. Helicopter: Thermal Drone or Helicopter Game Surveys?
When it comes to managing wildlife and land in Texas, precision and efficiency are crucial. Many landowners and wildlife managers traditionally turn to helicopter game surveys to count and monitor their animal populations. However, with the advent of advanced technology, there's a new player in town: thermal drone surveys. In this blog, we'll explore why thermal drone surveys are rapidly becoming the preferred method over traditional helicopter game surveys, and why choosing Sky Senderos for your survey needs can make a significant difference.
The Rise of Helicopter Game Surveys in Texas
For years, helicopter game surveys have been the go-to for wildlife management in Texas. These surveys involve flying over large tracts of land to count and monitor game populations such as deer, hogs, and other wildlife. Helicopter surveys provide a bird’s-eye view, allowing for extensive coverage in a short amount of time.
Limitations of Helicopter Game Surveys
Helicopter game surveys come with several limitations:
- Cost: Operating a helicopter is expensive, and the costs can quickly add up, especially for large properties. For smaller properties, significant overhead costs mean high minimums that often make an aerial survey untenable.
- Safety: Helicopter surveys pose safety risks to both the crew and the wildlife. Low-altitude flying can be dangerous, and the noise can stress and scatter animals, affecting the accuracy of the survey.
- Environmental Impact: The noise and disturbance from helicopters can negatively impact the environment, disrupting not just the target species but also other wildlife in the area. Loud rotor noises run the risk of scaring animals off your property or running them into fences which can lead to injury and death.
Enter Thermal Drone Surveys
Thermal drone surveys are transforming the way Texan ranchers conduct wildlife monitoring and game surveys. Here’s why they are superior:
1. Improved Accuracy and Precision
Our ability to capture video from entire surveys allows for multiple reviews, minimizing human error and offering a more reliable approach to deer population assessment. We typically identify between 60-90% of the total population on a given property. Compared to the most popular alternative, helicopters, which vary from 30-70% accuracy (according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), our drone surveys are significantly more accurate in estimating total population and come with a smaller margin of error.
2. Safety First
Drones eliminate the risk to human and animal life associated with helicopter surveys. Our pilots operate the drones from a safe distance, ensuring no one is put in harm’s way.
3. Minimal Disturbance
Drones are much quieter than helicopters, causing minimal disturbance to the wildlife. This leads to more accurate data as the animals behave naturally, undisturbed by loud noises. This can also help mitigate chances of double counting animals as they move between transects.
4. Advanced Technology
Our drones are equipped with state-of-the-art thermal imaging cameras. These cameras can detect and count animals with exceptional accuracy, even in dense vegetation or at night, conditions where traditional visual surveys might fail.
5. Cost-Effective
Thermal drones are often cheaper compared to helicopters. This cost efficiency allows you to conduct more frequent surveys, providing better data about your population trends.
Conclusion
While helicopter game surveys have served Texas landowners and wildlife managers well for years, thermal drone surveys offer a more cost-effective, less intrusive, and more accurate alternative. By choosing Sky Senderos, you’re not only opting for advanced technology and superior data but also partnering with a team with more experience than any other company in this space.
Switch to thermal drone surveys today and experience the future of wildlife management in Texas. Click here to request your free quote. Your wildlife management efforts deserve nothing but the best.
