Find Your Downed Deer: Ohio Thermal Drone Recovery Service
It’s the moment every hunter dreads: you’ve made a good shot, but the trail goes cold. Whether the sun is setting, the blood trail has dried up, or the deer has crossed into impossibly thick brush, the gut-sinking feeling of potentially losing your harvest is real.
Don’t give up. Strategic Air Captures provides a modern, ethical, and legal solution to help you recover your downed game.
Our advanced drones are equipped with high-resolution thermal imaging cameras, allowing us to find your deer quickly, even in complete darkness or dense cover. We serve hunters across Cortland, Warren, Youngstown, and all of Northeast Ohio.
How Thermal Drones Locate Downed Deer
A thermal camera doesn’t see like a normal camera; it sees heat. A downed deer, even hours after the shot, will retain body heat and project a clear heat signature.
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In Darkness: After sunset, the ground cools quickly, making the deer’s heat signature stand out like a beacon.
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In Thick Brush: The thermal camera can detect the heat signature through brush, tall grass, and standing corn that would make a visual search impossible.
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In Large Areas: Our drone can scan dozens of acres in a matter of minutes, a task that would take a ground crew hours.
By using an aerial thermal view, we can systematically search your area and guide you directly to your animal’s location, ensuring a fast and ethical recovery.
100% Legal & Compliant with Ohio Hunting Regulations
We operate with full transparency and in strict compliance with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) regulations. This is not a hunting tool; it is a recovery tool.
The Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) explicitly prohibits the use of drones to hunt, pursue, or locate live game. Our service is designed to operate 100% legally within the specific exception made for game recovery.
The Law: Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-15-02 (B)(4)
This rule states that while it is illegal to hunt with a drone, there is a clear exception:
“Aerial drones may be used to aid in the recovery of a deer after the taking has occurred, provided that no one involved in the recovery is employing a hunting device at the time. If said deer is found to be still alive, the use of the drone will be discontinued before hunting can resume.”
Our Legal Recovery Process:
To ensure we always operate within the law, we follow a strict protocol for every recovery mission:
- Your Hunt is Over: We can only be deployed after you have completed your hunt for the day and have put away all hunting implements.
- No Hunting Devices: No one involved in the recovery process, including you or our pilot, may be in possession of a bow, firearm, or any other hunting device. All implements must be legally cased and stored in a vehicle or at your camp.
- Recovery Only: Our sole mission is to locate a downed deer.
- Live Animal Policy: If we locate the deer and it is found to be still alive, the drone search will be discontinued immediately, as required by law. We can then provide the last known location to you.
- Written Permission Required: Ohio State Law requires you to have written permission to hunt or recover a game animal on property owned by another person. We require a copy or photo of your permission document before flight.
- All State Hunting Laws and Regulations MUST be observed: We will not be a party to violations of state hunting laws or regulations. If you ask us to commit or help you commit a violation, we will immediately terminate services, and may report the violation to law enforcement.
We are committed to providing an ethical, professional service that respects both the hunter and Ohio’s wildlife laws.
For more information regarding the lawful use of drones for Ohio deer recovery, please visit the following resources:
2025 - 2026 Deer Season Rate
Any Deer
Buck or Doe- Deployment of an FAA Certificated Pilot & Advanced Thermal Drone
- Up to 3 hours on-site/search
- Additional hours $50/hr
- An additional mileage fee applies for searches outside Trumbull County
Don’t Lose Your Harvest – Call for Rapid Deployment
The first few hours are critical. A fast recovery is an ethical one, preventing spoilage and loss. We are based in Cortland, OH, and are ready for rapid deployment throughout the region.
Stop the stressful search and let our technology work for you.