man holding a hunting drone

Thermal Drones for Hunting: What You Need to Know Before You Fly

Thermal drones for hunting have been gaining traction lately—and it’s easy to see why.

With how far drone tech and thermal imaging have come, hunters in some states now have access to a tool that can seriously shift how they scout, recover, and, sometimes, even hunt game.

While some see this as a groundbreaking step forward, others argue it walks a fine ethical line.

In Arizona, where I hunt, using a thermal drone for hunting is not allowed. Yet, I think about how helpful it would be every season—especially when recovering a wounded animal.

I’ll share some thoughts on the topic based on my experience, explore current regulations, ethical considerations, and why hunters across the country would consider using a thermal drone for hunting.

Let’s break it down.

hunting drone in the woods

Drones have increased in popularity with some hunters… here’s why…

Why Hunters Are Using Thermal Drones

  • Game Recovery: A thermal drone for hunting is often used after the shot to locate a wounded animal. This tech can detect heat signatures even in thick cover or at night.
  • Scouting: Some hunters use drones to identify bedding areas, find possible trails, or view groups of animals from above.
  • Predator Control: In certain states, a thermal drone for hunting is allowed for invasive species or predators like coyotes and even hogs.

In my case, I could’ve used one during an August archery hunt. I took a close-range shot on an archery buck—up in a tree at just 15 yards.

The shot hit high and right, and I knew right then that finding this deer would be tough. I spent hours tracking with no luck. Had a thermal drone for hunting been legal in Arizona, that recovery might have gone very differently.

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Real-World Advantages of Thermal Drones

  • Heat Signatures: Much like their use in law enforcement (think helicopter chases with FLIR cameras), drones with thermal imaging can pick up a heat signature through thick brush or even under snow.
  • Quick Recovery: For ethical hunters, fast recovery of an animal increases the chances of salvaging the meat.
  • Low-Light Visibility: Drones help overcome low-light challenges at dawn, dusk, or during overcast days.

I remember a police chase video where a suspect hid under a child’s plastic pool. Officers on the ground didn’t see him, but thermal mounted on a helicopter picked him up instantly. The same principle applies to game recovery.

Legal Considerations: Where Are Thermal Drones Legal?

hunting drone flying over countryside

You must do your due diligence and research state and local regulations before considering buying a drone for hunting. Understanding local laws is critical, as a thermal drone for hunting might be legal in one state and banned in another.

Common State-Level Restrictions:

  • Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish does not allow the use of drones (thermal or not) to hunt or recover an animal.
  • Colorado & Alaska: Similarly, drones are not permitted for hunting to preserve fair chase ethics.
  • Texas: Allows drone use for certain invasive species but requires a permit.

Always check with your local game and fish department regarding the use of drones. Regulations can shift, especially with rapid tech innovation.

To learn more about regulations, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers helpful resources on federal-level hunting laws. At the same time, the Arizona Game and Fish Department provides detailed guidelines for residents like me.

Ethical Concerns: Do Drones Undermine the Hunt?

Many hunters argue that using a thermal drone for hunting crosses an ethical line.

  • Fair Chase: Traditionalists believe hunting should remain a ground-level sport that involves tracking, scouting, and skill.
  • Overreliance on Tech: The concern is that as gear becomes more advanced, the skill element of hunting gets diluted.
  • Slippery Slope: Just as trail cameras became heavily used (and ultimately banned in Arizona), drones may follow a similar pattern.

I’ll be honest—when Arizona banned trail cameras, I wasn’t too upset. On one trip, we hiked deep into a canyon to find a water hole we thought was too remote for others. We found five trail cameras already set up. It felt like a technological arms race, not a hunt.

When Would I Use a Thermal Drone?

I wouldn’t use a thermal drone for hunting during the actual pursuit of an animal. I prefer to keep things challenging and traditional—spot and stalk, tracking signs, and glassing—because that’s what I love most about hunting. However, I might consider one strictly for recovery if it were legal.

I’d also consider using a thermal drone in a survival situation. It could help locate animals and water sources or enhance home security on large rural properties. But, for now, I’m content doing things the traditional way.

What I Would Look for in a Thermal Drone

Key features if you’re considering purchasing a thermal drone for hunting and only after checking your local regulations:

  • High Thermal Resolution: Better target identification.
  • Flight Time: 30 minutes or more is ideal – with a spare battery pack and mobile charger.
  • Range: Look for at least 1.5 to 2 miles.
  • Durability: Weatherproof and field-ready.
  • Ease of Use: Simple interface and reliability in the field.

Companies like DJI Enterprise and Autel Robotics are leading the way in drone and thermal imaging technologies.

Hunting With Drones: Is the Future Already Here?

The topic of using a thermal drone for hunting is controversial and evolving.

While I don’t currently use one due to legal restrictions in Arizona, I understand why others do.

These tools can be a massive advantage for ethical recovery and wildlife management. However, they must be used responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.

What are your thoughts on thermal drones for hunting?

tom guzman author

Tom Guzman is the founder of Trophy Pursuit ( https://trophypursuit.net/ ), a blog focused on hunting, backcountry preparedness, and outdoor gear. With a background as a Marketing Director and expertise in SEO, he combines field experience with digital strategy to deliver practical, well-researched content for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

 

muzzy trocar ti 100 grain review header image2

Quiver-Worthy? | Muzzy Trocar Ti 100 Broadheads Review

You can’t have too many broadhead tests. So, I’ve got another broadhead that I tested that I want to share with you… it’s a classic head with a twist. It’s the Muzzy Trocar TI 100 grain.

For all the performance testing of the Muzzy Trocar TI 100, I used my Elite Era compound bow. But, for the accuracy testing, I’m using this Killer Instinct SWAT X1 Crossbow, because it eliminates so much human error.

The Muzzy Trocar Ti 100 Grain Broadhead Up Close

muzzy trocar ti 100 profile view

Here’s a good look at this head. It’s just a nice, proven design. It has a lot of cool features. I’ll start with the materials.

muzzy trocar ti 100 ferrule

It’s got a titanium ferrule, which is lighter than most steel and allows for putting weight into some other parts, even though this is just a 100-grain head.

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muzzy trocar ti chisel tip

It also has a nice chiseled tip, which I really like.

Muzzy trocar ti threaded retention collar

And it has a type of threaded retention collar, if you will (I believe it’s aluminum).

muzzy trocar ti blade thickness

The blades are, of course, stainless steel and a stout 0.0408″ thick, so relatively thick blades there. The cutting diameter is 1.25″, even in this 100-grain model. So, the total cut is 1.875″.

Muzzy Trocar Ti offset blades

Another cool thing about this head is that the blades are offset, meaning they don’t all just point toward the center of the ferrule. They’re a little offset. What that does is that it creates a really nice rotation, both in flight, as well as within a medium or animal, to make an even more wicked wound channel.

Another neat thing is that you have a choice of whether you want the blades to rotate left or right by changing the offset. Now, you want to make sure, just like with a single bevel head, (though this is a double bevel head), that the blade offset matches your fletching. So, for example, if you have a right helical or right offset fletching, then you’d want to be sure you put the blades in the right rotation position. And, vice-versa if you have a left helical or left offset fletching.

For resharpening, I would use the Stay Sharp Guide Replaceable Blade Kit. That works really well with broadheads like this.

I was really eager to put this head to the test and see how it performed. So, let’s see how it fared in the various tests…

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Flight Forgiveness Test  

For the flight forgiveness test, I shot one field point and then one broadhead, at 30 yards, out of a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 Crossbow, with a 675 grain Bishop Bolt, at 300 feet per second.

Muzzy Trocar Ti flight test

The Trocar got the 9-ring.

Edge Test #1: Initial Sharpness Test

In this test, I checked how many grams of force it took to to cut copolymer wire.

Muzzy Trocar Ti initial sharpness test

It took 132 grams of force to cut through the wire, which is a 10 on a 10-point scale, plus a bonus for going under the threshold of 200.

Penetration Test #1: Ballistic Gel and MDF

In this first penetration test, I , shot the head into ballistic gel, fronted by 2/3″ Rubber Foam Mat and 1/2″ 1/2″ MDF.

Muzzy Trocar Ballistic gel mdf test 1

It penetrated 8-1/2″.

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Edge Test #2: Edge Retention

In this test, I checked the sharpness of the blades after penetration test #1.

Muzzy Trocar Ti sharpness test 2

It took an additional 57 grams of force to cut through the wire, which is an 8.86 on a 10-point scale.

Penetration Test #2: Layered Cardboard

Muzzy Trocar Ti cardboard penetration test

It penetrated through 56 layers, which is an 8 on a 10-point scale.

Durability Test #1: 3 shots Into 1/2″ MDF

Muzzy Trocar Ti after mdf test

The head is in perfect shape after the 3 shots through the MDF.  

Durability Test #2: Two Shots Into 22 Gauge Steel Plate

Muzzy Trocar steel plate test

And here is the Muzzy Trocar Ti after just one shot through the steel plate. I didn’t shoot it a second time, because on the very first shot, all the blades came out. And, if you look closely at the base of the ferrule, you can see where the blades have made a little divot back into that retention collar that I feared was a weak point. And, indeed it was, because it backed up just enough to then fall out of the little locking mechanism at the top. So, that’s unfortunate. Now, it did make a nice hole, that you can see here. You can also see that rotation from the offset blades. But, it just lacked the durability to stay together.

Retention Test: Clear Ballistics FBI Gel

muzzy trocar ti ballistic gel penetration

It rotated 90 degrees at 12″. Really good rotation.

Durability Test #3: One Shot At Cinder Block

Muzzy trocar ti after cinder block test

Here is the head after all the durability testing. You saw that the blades all fell out in a steel plate, because this retention collar is just so soft. The blades backed in and cut into it, and then there was nothing to hold them in place. But, I went ahead and shot it into the cinder block like this, and you can see that the ferrule held up well.

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Final Thoughts On Muzzy Trocar Ti Broadhead

So what do you think about the Muzzy Trocar Ti in 100 grains?

Man, there’s a lot of great strengths to this broadhead. It performed well in a lot of different areas, including cut size, blades, and the ability to change the rotation of the blades. Additionally, I love that rotation of the offset blades, the ferrule, and chiseled tip.

But man, I’m concerned about that retention system. When all the blades came out, that was a shocker to me.

Muzzy Trocar Ti Lusk Score

Maybe I got a bad batch or something, but that’s just something to keep in mind before you use them. I know shooting them in the steel plate, that’s a pretty big shock, but still, most fixed blade heads breeze through that like butter.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Be sure to check out all the other broadhead reviews.  

John Lusk archery goat
John Lusk of Lusk Archery Adventures

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