WONDERING what role a drone played in efforts to estimate the deer population at Wild Basin?
These graduate students were set out to find the most successful and feasible method to estimate the deer population at Wild Basin. They tested three methods camera traps, driving surveys, and a drone to estimate deer population. The group observed more deer conducting driving surveys than any other method. Deer were also observed on the camera traps distributed throughout Wild Basin. Unfortunately, many factors didn’t allow for the group to observe any deer using the drone. The hot weather didn’t allow the infrared camera to identify any deer. Other possible limiting factors consisted of the speed of the drone and the varying altitudes of Wild Basin. Further research would have to take into consideration these factors to optimize the observance of deer at Wild Basin.