We present data on two thermal-assisted aerial operations in Australia that utilised thermal imaging technologies in this specific TAAS/C crew configuration.  We describe the efficacy of the method for two vertebrate pest species: a low-density (< 0.2 animals km-2) feral pig (Sus scrofa) and high density (> 6 animals km-2) feral fallow deer (Dama dama) populations. We measured several aspects of the approach to test the following hypotheses: (i) the number of shots taken and shots impacting an animal do not vary relative to vegetation-density category (open, sparse, dense) or species (pig, deer), (ii) four temporal welfare indicators (time from start of pursuit to first bullet impact (chase time), time from first bullet impact to death (TTD), time from first shot to death, time from pursuit to death) do not vary among vegetation-density categories and species, and (iii) no wounded animals escaped (WR). We also discuss the impact of crew configuration on target acquisition and tracking and the use of thermal technologies to mitigate negative animal welfare outcomes.