Key Takeaways
- The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has acquired an eBee X drone from AgEagle Aerial Systems (EagleNXT).
- The drone will support monitoring and mitigation of crop depredation caused by elk, deer, and moose.
- The eBee X enables large-area, high-resolution surveys with reduced cost and disturbance.
- The technology supports accurate damage assessment, wildlife management, and conflict prevention.
- The acquisition aligns with Idaho’s broader wildlife and elk management strategies.
AgEagle Aerial Systems Supports Wildlife and Agriculture Monitoring in Idaho
AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., operating under the name EagleNXT, announced that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is acquiring an eBee X fixed-wing drone to support its wildlife management activities. The drone will be used to monitor and reduce crop depredation on private agricultural lands caused by big game species, including elk, deer, and moose.
According to the company, the acquisition supports IDFG’s statutory mandate to preserve and manage Idaho’s wildlife resources while addressing conflicts between wildlife and agricultural producers. Crop depredation by big game can result in economic losses for farmers and ranchers due to damage to crops, haystacks, orchards, and pastureland.
AgEagle's eBee X Drone Enables Large-Scale, Low-Impact Surveys
Mapping Crop Damage and Wildlife Activity
The eBee X is a lightweight, NDAA-compliant fixed-wing drone designed for long-endurance missions. It offers up to 90 minutes of flight time and can map approximately 1,250 acres in a single flight. Equipped with high-resolution, multispectral, and thermal imaging sensors, the platform is suited for surveying large and remote agricultural areas that border wildlife habitats.
IDFG will use the drone to identify and quantify crop damage caused by browsing, trampling, and concentrated grazing. The data collected will support accurate damage assessments, reimbursement processes, and improved understanding of wildlife movement patterns near agricultural lands.
The system also enables monitoring of habitat conditions on nearby rangelands, including vegetation health and forage availability, which can inform longer-term mitigation and wildlife management strategies.
AgEagle's eBee X Reducing Costs and Operational Disruption
Alternative to Traditional Survey Methods
Compared with helicopter surveys, ground-based assessments, or short-range multi-rotor drones, the fixed-wing eBee X offers a quieter and more cost-effective solution. The platform allows for frequent data collection with reduced disturbance to both wildlife and agricultural operations.
“Compare the low cost and reduced noise signature associated with operating a fixed-wing drone with the high cost and intrusive noise levels associated with operating a helicopter or a short-range multi-rotor drone,” said Bill Irby, CEO of EagleNXT. He added that these factors are driving increased adoption of fixed-wing unmanned systems by government agencies.
Alignment with Idaho Wildlife Management Goals
The acquisition supports IDFG’s ongoing work under the Idaho Elk Management Plan and broader depredation mitigation initiatives. By improving monitoring frequency and data quality, the drone is expected to benefit landowners, conservation efforts, and rural economies across the state.
AgEagle Aerial Systems stated that the deployment demonstrates how unmanned aerial systems can support balanced approaches to wildlife conservation and agricultural protection.
