Frequently Asked Questions.

Q: Do animals respond to fixed wing survey?
Q: Can age and sex classes be distinguished using IR?
Q: Are all group sizes equally sightable?
Q: Does vegetation or cover type affect sightability?
Q: Does terrain affect sightablilty?
Q: Do surveys need to be conducted at night?
Q: Can you differentiate between species?
Q: How do you detect the animal?
Q: What area is viewed on the sensor screen?

Do animals respond to fixed wing survey?
Because of the flight altitudes (1,000 - 2,500 feet) animals don't move in response to the aircraft overflight. No animals have been observed changing behavior during any flights.

Can age and sex classes be distinguished using IR?
Age and sex classes can be determined if there are morphological differences such as antlers and horns. Ability to circle around the animal without disturbing the animal for an optimal view of the horns facilitates determining size class, important in setting harvest.

Are all group sizes equally sightable?
Most sightability research using human observers indicates that larger group sizes have a greater sightability. However, infrared surveys don't require large groups or animals that are moving for detection. Individual bedded animals can be detected.

Does vegetation or cover type affect sightability?
In flat terrain with low vegetation, detection rates can be over 90% in swaths unmatched by human vision. In the eastern and mid-western deciduous forest animals can be detected after leaf drop in the fall. Large mammals have been detected through dense tamarisk and other single layer shrub or tree canopies. Dense, multi-layer canopies can completely prevent detection. Animals can be detected even against dark backgrounds. Snow is not required.

Does terrain affect sightablilty?
Yes. We have researched detection rates in a variety of terrain and cover types. Survey search pattern is modified to provide 80 % or better detection of the animals within the canyons, mountains and other rugged terrain.

Do surveys need to be conducted at night?
Day and night data collection is possible. Infrared sensors today can detect very small differences (0.1 or 0.07 degrees C) in temperature. Our staff has searched for large mammals in Yuma Arizona in July with 80% detection rates.

Can you differentiate between species?
Yes. The morphology or the body shape of the animal is used to determine the species detected. Movement or animal behavior and habitat uses are also used to determine species. Sex of the animal can be determined in species with morphological differences such as horns or antlers. Horn curls size can be used to determine age.

These images of cattle in a feedlot, deer moving through a deciduous forest, and rocks with in deciduous forest were all taken from 1,000 ft above ground level with the same field of view.

How do you detect the animal?
The infrared sensor scans the plot or study area to look for the animal. Only a small portion of the animal body needs to be detected by the sensor. Unlike the human eye, an IR sensor can be used to successfully detect animals as single individuals or when the animals are not moving. Snow is not required to detect animals. Software can be used to enhance detection rates.

What area is viewed on the sensor screen?
The area found on the screen or footprint is calculated by the height above the ground and lens used. A 10 degree lens at 2,000 ft above ground and pointing straight down can provide a field of view of nearly 200 ft wide. The footprint is changed by adjusting the "look" angle to an oblique view. Animals can be detected from over a mile away and with a footprint width over half a mile.

For more information please contact us at wildlife@visionairresearch.com.