Clear answers.
Realistic expectations.

Use the recovery request form to share your county, the animal, when it was last seen and the general search area. Your inquiry starts a review of availability and the search conditions. A flight is scheduled only after the provider, pricing, access and arrangements are confirmed with you.

A drone-mounted thermal camera detects differences in surface heat. In suitable conditions, an operator may use that information to help locate wounded game. Thermal images still require interpretation, and a heat signature is not confirmation of an animal’s identity or condition.

A thermal camera cannot see through solid objects such as tree trunks or thick vegetation. It may detect a heat signature through gaps in cover, but dense canopy and terrain can hide an animal. Weather, temperature contrast and timing also affect the search.

Idaho Fish and Game’s September 2026 guidance describes an exception for retrieving wounded game within restrictions on certain hunting technologies. That is not blanket permission to scout or hunt using a drone. The operator and hunter need to verify current state rules, the specific circumstances, land access and FAA requirements before a search. See the official guidance linked below.

Based in Sandpoint, we accept recovery inquiries across Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties. For Latah, Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis or Idaho counties, send your general location to check options. Availability and travel are confirmed for each search.

The operator and service arrangements are confirmed with you before any search. If your request involves a referral to an independent provider, we will explain that and ask permission before sharing your contact details. Submitting an inquiry does not assign a pilot or schedule a flight.

The search fee is $400, including up to two hours on site and travel within 30 road miles of Sandpoint. A $100 location fee applies when your animal is positively identified and its location is provided: $500 total before agreed extras. Additional search time is $100 per hour with your approval. Travel beyond 30 road miles is quoted before dispatch. There is no payment required to send an inquiry.

Yes. The $400 search fee covers the search and applies even if the animal is not found. The additional $100 location fee only applies when the animal you are searching for is positively identified and its location is provided. A possible heat signature alone is not enough. Recovery cannot be guaranteed.

No. The service covers the drone search and, when successful, providing the animal’s location. Physical retrieval and packing out are not included. Ground access, permissions and retrieval arrangements must be handled separately.

Include your county, the animal, the time it was last seen, the general location and what you know about terrain and property access. Share precise coordinates and sensitive access details directly when discussing the search, rather than in the initial inquiry.

Land access and aviation rules are separate. The relevant landowner or land manager permissions and any required operating authorization must be checked before a search or retrieval. Permission to search one property does not establish access to neighboring land.

Yes. If you are an established thermal drone operator interested in North Idaho, select Operator partnership in the form. Tell us your general operating area and experience. We will use your inquiry to discuss a potential working relationship; no affiliation is implied by submitting it.