In Episode 35 of the DroneOn Show, Mike chats with Madison Raber, owner of Tree Stand Forestry and a seasoned drone pilot. Madison shares his expertise in forestry consulting, focusing on timber harvesting and habitat improvement for deer hunters. Dive into discussions on using thermal drones for deer recoveries, herd surveys, and the devastating impact of EHD in Ohio. They also explore emerging tech like LiDAR for timber analysis, hunting stories from public lands, and even spray drones for invasive species control. Whether you're into drones, hunting, or land management, this episode is packed with insights! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more DroneOn content.

Hey guys, me and Kevin sit down to discuss and dissect the new FCC Drone Ban rules. 

In this episode of the DroneOn Show, host Mike chats with Melvin Lahmers, an agronomist and seed consultant from TMK Bakersville who's been in the farming game for over 30 years, growing up on a family farm and helping growers feed the world through crop consulting, custom applications, and aerial tech. They dive right into a hilarious cold call from an 80-year-old farmer hunting for a drone to check on his cattle—bashing Walmart models that "only fly 500-600 feet" and skipping licenses altogether—while stressing how drones save calves and boost efficiency without needing Wi-Fi or fancy features. Melvin shares his pilot's perspective on scouting fields from the air, the evolution from satellite imagery to drones for spotting issues like irrigation problems or disease in corn, and why fungicide applications via drones are a game-changer for yield boosts in river bottom ground. They tackle big-picture topics like the potential DJI ban's massive impact on U.S. farmers (with no comparable American alternatives yet), regulatory hurdles, the "air show" crowd who just want to see drones in action, and tips for applicators on dealing with curious onlookers or charging for demos. Melvin opens up about his unique "confidence cards" he hands out for motivation, drawn from coaching youth basketball, and emphasizes the need for perspective in ag's fast-changing world. If you're into real talk on drone tech's role in modern farming, from practical cattle scouting to high-stakes policy fights, this episode delivers.

In Episode 32 of the DroneOn Show, host Mike sits down with Kirk Price, a West Virginia-based hunter, YouTuber, and outdoor enthusiast who tagged out early during Ohio's gun week. They kick things off with a wild story from opening morning: using a thermal drone to spot a trespasser on leased land, complete with a suspicious white truck sporting a Yeti sticker and no hunter orange in sight—leading to a full video reveal on both channels. Kirk shares his journey from filming silly backyard videos as a kid to building a massive YouTube following, including his viral hit featuring a bear born without front arms that's still thriving in the wild. The conversation dives into bear hunting with hounds in rugged West Virginia terrain, drone regulations for scouting and recoveries (including chats with wardens about filming hunts), and why bear meat gets a bad rap—plus Kirk's favorite recipes like Instant Pot roasts and bear burgers that prove it's delicious when prepped right. They touch on everything from Amish diners and thermal drone tips to Kirk's sports fandom and his take on not naming wildlife to avoid humanizing them. If you're into real hunting tales, drone tech in the field, and wild game cooking, this one's a must-listen. Kirk Price Instagram: @kirkprice_ Kirk Price YouTube: @KirkPrice

In Episode 31 of the DroneOn Show, we sit down with Eugene Punelli, a former crop-dusting company drone pilot turned independent operator out of Bakersfield, California. Eugene shares his real-world experience flying DJI T-50s (and soon a T-100) alongside traditional airplanes and helicopters in the heart of America’s breadbasket – California’s Central Valley. We dive deep into why California spray volumes run 5–10 gallons per acre and what that means for drone efficiency on massive fields of almonds, pistachios, carrots, grapes, corn, alfalfa, and cotton. He opens up about how growers are reacting to spray drones, the real tension (and mutual respect) between drone pilots and traditional ag pilots, and the advantages of night spraying in avoiding bees and heat. Eugene also breaks down California’s unique regulatory hurdles, including PCA requirements that make the state slower to adopt drones than the Midwest, and shares his bold plan to go independent with bigger drones, more trailers, and what equipment he’s buying next. Finally, we tackle the big question: Is it too late to start a drone spraying business in California in 2026? If you’ve ever wondered how drone spraying works on the West Coast versus the Corn Belt, this episode is gold.

In this episode, Mike and Kevin fire up the mics on the porch outside HQ and unload the raw truth on crushing drone season like a man. Deer recovery is exploding— about 900 leads in just 7 days, 300+ pilots cashing in, and why 2024 is getting smoked 3-4X over. Thermal drone showdown: Kevin officially picks the beefier M4TD over the M4T for speed, flight time, and pro-level feel—rain-proof flying included. Then the T100 beast drops: 45mph, 40ft swath, big acres, night spraying dominance, and 360° situational awareness that makes power lines beg for mercy. Heavy lift future, frost protection hacks, and building 6-figure drone empires. FCC just gave itself power to revoke DJI licenses—here’s why you should still stack DJI iron now before the ban hammer falls. No excuses—just two guys who live this life showing you how to hunt, spray, and bank with drones. Like, subscribe, and share!   Pilot Locator Map: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/pages/pilot-map

In this special episode of The DroneOn Show, the wives—Karen (Mike's wife), Kaley (Jay's wife), and Liz (Kevin's wife)—take the mics to share what it's like being married to drone entrepreneurs. They reminisce on how the business started, their roles in the business, and balancing family life with busy seasons. From navigating their husbands’ relentless drive for drone innovation to supporting Drone Deer Recovery and nuWay Ag, it’s a fun, relatable chat. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to join the drone community!

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, hosts Mike, Kevin, and Jason dive into the start of deer season in Ohio. From epic drone deer recoveries and farming mishaps to US-China drone drama with DJI tariffs, they cover it all. Plus, updates on the Pilot Locator Map, work-life balance for drone pilots, thermal drone scams to watch out for, and future drone tech like heavy-lift hauling. Perfect for drone enthusiasts, hunters, and guys in the industry!   Pilot Locator Map: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/pages/pilot-map Thermal Drones: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/collections/drone-kits Drone Deer Recovery's latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72s6eIrImNk

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike, Kevin, and Dennis explore using thermal drones for private security, inspired by the Charlie Kirk shooting incident. They discuss how drones could enhance security details and Overwatch systems, from spotting threats to aiding recoveries in rural areas. They dive into the potential of drones in modern security, sharing practical tips for integrating aerial tech into protection operations. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to join the drone community!   Drones mentioned in podcast: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/collections/drone-kits#4t https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/collections/drone-kits#30t

In episode 26 of The DroneOn Show, Mike chats with Dennis from Top Cop Spray Drones about his 2-year journey in drone spraying. Wrapping up the season with cleanup, Dennis shares tips on tackling cover crops, dealing with dryness, and developing efficient loading systems for thousands of pounds. He explains why now is the best time to start—don’t wait for new models! Drop your thoughts on Part 108 regulations by October 6th, 2025, to join the conversation! The guide on how to submit your comment is here in PDF format: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yz7kd3Ezp9YAwOH0wxibJmmrkhiMj4qq/view   Submit your FAA comment here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/07/2025-14992/normalizing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-operations   Check out Pilot Institute's video that breaks down Part 108 in full detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_L4ej9rTH4   T50 Drone: https://nuwayag.com/products/dji-agras-t50-nuway-ag-complete-kit   nuWay Ag Trailer: https://nuwayag.com/products/nuway-ag-standard-trailer-2025-edition-with-mikes-loadout

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike, Jay, and Austin reminisce on untold stories with Drone Deer Recovery, using thermal drones to find lost game in rural woods. They share a wild anecdote of a search turning from deer to a lost hunter. From two-hour hunts to the realities of rural ops, it’s a must for wildlife and ag drone fans. Part 108 regulations are shaping drone ops—drone users, drop your Part 108 comments by October 6th, 2025, so that our voices are heard. See links below for more information. The guide on how to submit your comment is here in PDF format: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yz7kd3Ezp9YAwOH0wxibJmmrkhiMj4qq/view Submit your FAA comment here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/07/2025-14992/normalizing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-operations Check out Pilot Institute's video that breaks down Part 108 in full detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_L4ej9rTH4 Herd Census Mastery Course: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/products/herd-census-mastery-thermal-drone-survey-course Thermal drones: https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/products/dji-matrice-4t-drone https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/collections/drone-kits#30t

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike sits with Rhyan Syester of Veteran Drone Services at a drone convention. After 24 years in the Army, Rhyan swapped combat boots for drones, spraying crops and tackling rural challenges with precision in Trigg County. From learning drone tech on YouTube to aiding deer recovery, he’s building a spray drone business from scratch. Bold strategies for ag drone trailblazers!

In episode 23 of The DroneOn Show, Mike, Kevin, and Jason recap their Vegas Commercial UAV conference trip, networking for new products like power washing drones and a $100,000 search and rescue device. They dive into DJI bans, Part 108 regulations, and deer recovery with thermal drones. With T100 release on the horizon, they urge listeners to get on the list. Be sure to check out the blog post (see link below) where nuWay Ag goes into greater detail regarding the possible DJI ban. https://nuwayag.com/blogs/news/the-truth-and-misinformation-about-the-possible-dji-ban

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike sits with Hayden Crum, a 20-year-old Ohio entrepreneur who launched Midwest Air as a high school freshman. From a 7th-generation, 5,000-acre family farm, Hayden’s spraying 100,000 acres with DJI T20s and Zagg drones, outpacing helicopters with better coverage. Despite a power line crash and Ohio’s drought challenges, he’s scaling to 30,000 acres and selling drones to farmers.

In episode 21 of The DroneOn Show, Mike chats with Charles about starting a drone spraying business in New York, targeting fields of onions, corn, carrots, cabbage and potatoes. From picking up drones in March to spraying in April, Charles shares insights on navigating the state's strict pesticide rules and the divide between city regulations and rural farming. With discussions on urban control over rural areas and the potential for state division, it’s a must for ag drone enthusiasts.

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike and Jason chat with Taylor from Agri Spray Drones, the largest agricultural drone distributor. From overcoming a heart attack to scaling a family business with 40 employees, Taylor shares raw insights on growth, training, and the future of drones in ag. With stories of viral trailers and industry challenges, it’s a must for drone entrepreneurs. Bold strategies for ag drone trailblazers!

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike and Kevin dive into the T100 drone's potential efficiencies, Part 108 regulations for ag applications, and the beef between drones and airplanes/helicopters. They explore drone bans, industry challenges, and why drones are reshaping aerial ag. Packed with raw tips, it’s a must for ag drone pioneers. Join the skyward revolution now!

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike sits with Juany Mattson of Vortex Advantage Ag at a drone convention in Alabama. A former Napa Valley winery co-founder, Juany, 54, swapped $300 Cabernet for spraying 20,000-acre Texas ranches. With a viral trailer layout on YouTube, he’s building a one-stop drone shop, tackling prickly pear and rugged terrain.

In episode 17 of The DroneOn Show, Mike and Kevin tackle DJI bans, battery management, and the grind of securing the first thousand acres as a newbie. They dive into Whitetail Research with thermal drones, T100 drone potential, and overcoming startup hurdles like confidence-building and field mishaps. Great advice for aspiring drone entrepreneurs!

In this episode of The DroneOn Show, Mike, his wife Karen, and Kevin share the gritty reality of launching a drone business while balancing married life. Mike and Kevin dive into their hands-on experience with the new DJI T100, a titan drone revolutionizing aerial spraying. They discuss their spraying experience in Kentucky. From outpacing plane crop dusters to integrating drones into ag businesses, they reveal hard-won insights for aspiring drone entrepreneurs.