I'm considering getting a drone to help 'scout' some land to buy as well as to use afterward for a little recon and security.

Anyone have any experience using them that way and what is the floor cost to get into it?

Well,dove loads seem to work best,but d**n if I can find enough meat on one to make it worth the shell.

Why would a law abiding gun owner want to shoot down an “aircraft” under federal law

I have a Holly Stone drone ($225) and I think it would fit your intended uses perfectly. It's easy to operate, goes a very long distance from the receiver and takes great pics/video you can view or download on your smart phone.

Dji mavic mini is your best bet to start with

Talk to VAMan. He does drones.

Amazon drones are the best. Skeet shooting with prizes.

Spend some time with Google Earth. Learn all the features. There is a 3D feature which is pretty amazing. Also if you know gis you can overlay topos.

Not discounting a drone, but the Topo map and good Google Earth images are pretty darn amazing. I can pick out individual trees on my land in West Virginia.

I don’t have any experience with the mini, but the Mavic Pro is fantastic.
I put mine up maybe ten to thirty times a week, and I honestly can’t imagine life without it at this point.

There is no comparison between what your speaking of and the amazing footage you can get from these drones. Some of the video quality is like a movie. You should try it. Great for seeing nature, hell I use it for contracting jobs. If someone’s roof is leaking I can send up the drone to look around.

Federal law states these are “aircraft”. So how many of these “aircrafts” have you shot down? You may have a big prize waiting for you

I use both Google Earth and Topo maps whenever I look at land. I also use the prevailing winds maps to understand weather patterns, etc. They are fantastic resources, but I want the drone to get more perspective and then the follow-on purpose for scouting and security.

My cousin has the Mavic Pro which he does some 'silly' stuff with at his property in Central NY (I'm surprised they haven't put new restrictive rules on them yet in NY).

He's got a setup that it comes out of a fake chimney and flies a preprogrammed route at various times and then returns and lands to give him a quick look around at his feed plots for game...etc.

Federal law states these are “aircraft”. So how many of these “aircrafts” have you shot down? You may have a big prize waiting for you [/quote]


Never have understood the mindset of someone so obsessesd with themselves and their own prim nature that they can't get parody.

Never have understood the mindset of someone so obsessesd with themselves and their own prim nature that they can't get parody. [/quote]


Dusty didn't you know there has to be one in every crowd ? Not saying one what.

Never have understood the mindset of someone so obsessesd with themselves and their own prim nature that they can't get parody. [/quote]


Dusty didn't you know there has to be one in every crowd ? Not saying one what.
[/quote]

Sure I’ll be the one. But the op asked a legitimate question about drones and regardless of parody you 2 come in talking about shooting them down. I thought you were serious so I’m just trying to inform

To add some real content here, depending on usage, where you'll flow, etc, you may:
1 - need to pass FAA tests similar that a pilot would
2 -follow certain flying restrictions (height, where to fly, etc)

I'd advise performing some research. Just 1 link below, however, search out more.
https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-virginia/

You only need to pass a knowledge test and get Part 107 certificated if you're planning on selling footage or using the drone for hire.

Keep in mind you can only LEGALLY fly line of sight.

Get a DJI drone. Mavic, Phantom, etc. They're the best.