Locate and GPS collar 100 neonatal fawns in south-central Minnesota study areas (Figure 1) via drone with thermal imaging camera between 15 May 2025 and 15 June 2025. Figure 1 Contractor’s Responsibilities: The contractor will be responsible for developing flight paths for each GIS shapefile received prior to beginning the field work. The UAS contractor will create flight routes (with 10% overlap) to ensure 100% coverage for each capture site. Use drone with TIR and RGB cameras to locate and confirm neonates at designated WMA’s. The Contractor will restrict use of their drone equipment to study areas designated by the State. The Contractor will be responsible for the security of all State furnished property (e.g., external hard drive) provided to them. Items to be determined and listed in contract. Upon completion of the project, State furnished property will be returned to the State prior to the Contractor departing the area. The Contractor must record all relevant flight information or make information available (e.g., flight altitude [AGL], area covered, swath, etc.) at each study site location. Flight paths need to be available in an exportable kmz or line shapefile so DNR can determine total area covered. Flight paths need necessary metadata such as altitude, swath, etc.
