How Thermal Imaging Helps Find What Matters Most

When every minute counts, drone tech makes a difference

Whether it’s a missing dog, an injured deer, or escaped livestock, locating a heat signature in a large area quickly becomes a race against time. Walking fields, woods, or open terrain on foot is exhausting, slow, and often fruitless. That’s where thermal drones come in.

Using advanced infrared cameras mounted on drones, we scan wide areas from above — detecting body heat even in thick cover, low light, or hard-to-reach spots. In many cases, a single 15–30 minute flight can spot what would take hours to find on the ground.

Real-world uses in Ohio and beyond

At Midwest Drones, we’ve been called in to help with:

• Lost pets like dogs and goats that disappeared into cornfields or woods

• Injured or downed deer after a hunt, to confirm location and reduce spoilage

• Escaped livestock, including cattle and horses

• Wildlife tracking on private property or for conservation purposes

• Search efforts after accidents or natural disasters

Thermal recovery works best within the first 24–48 hours of the incident, especially when the target is still producing body heat or movement.

What to expect from a thermal recovery mission

We deploy from our South Charleston, Ohio location, and arrive on site ready to launch. Each flight includes:

• A high-resolution thermal + RGB drone

• Grid search patterns customized to terrain and last known location

• Real-time viewing and live tracking if a target is located

• Video footage and marked coordinates for follow-up retrieval

• Fast action, often within hours of your call

We operate under FAA Part 107, are licensed and insured, and follow all ethical and legal standards for search and recovery operations.

When to call Midwest Drones

If you’ve lost track of a loved animal, hunting recovery, or want to proactively locate something on your property — don’t wait. Thermal search works best before scent fades, tracks are erased, or body temperature drops.

Even if the case seems tough, it’s worth the flight. Our job is to find what others can’t.