Give the operator an elk description
Start with where you last saw the elk and what you could identify: bull or cow, visible antler features and any other distinguishing details. If it was with other elk, describe which animal you were following and where you lost sight of it.
Save any photos you already have and note which observations are uncertain. A sighting of an elk during the search still needs to be matched to the animal you are trying to recover.
Describe the timber and slope
An elk’s size does not overcome an obstructed view. Dense foliage and tree trunks can hide it from a thermal camera.
- Mark whether the last sign was in a clearing, on a slope or inside timber.
- Identify nearby drainages, ridges and openings on your map.
- Note which areas have been searched on foot and which could not be reached.
- Describe the cover at the last sign, rather than just calling the whole area wooded.
Work out the meeting point and access
Give the nearest town and the road or trail used to reach the area. Mention gates, seasonal closures and the point where vehicles must stop. A meeting point on an accessible road is easier to coordinate than a hunting-location pin alone.
Mark property boundaries along a possible retrieval route. Idaho’s 2026 rules require written or other lawful permission to enter private land to retrieve game. Confirm permission before relying on a route across neighboring property.
Source: Idaho Fish and Game: 2026 Big Game Seasons & Rules ↗
Plan the pack-out before the flight
Decide who will reach the elk, carry the meat and bring the equipment. The drone search does not include physical retrieval or packing out. Discuss the route, communication and available help before booking.
Penn State Extension notes that elk may need halving or quartering to help with transport and cooling. Have the necessary equipment and a cooling plan ready, and check Idaho’s tagging and transport requirements before moving the animal.
- Who is available for the ground retrieval, and how will you contact them?
- Where can meat be carried to a vehicle?
- What packs, game bags and cooling arrangements will you need?
- What will you do if the location cannot be reached safely?
Source: Penn State Extension: field dressing and handling wild game ↗
If a possible elk location is found
Ask what the operator can identify and how the location will be shared. Discuss any visible landmarks that could help the ground team. A map location is useful, but it does not establish a safe walking route.
Our $100 location fee applies when your animal is positively identified and its location is provided. A possible heat signature alone does not trigger it. The full pricing guide explains the $400 search fee, included travel and additional time.
Need help finding your animal?
Call 208-696-1128, send a text or request a callback. Include your county, nearest town and the animal you are looking for.
Based in Sandpoint. See our service area and search pricing.