Can You Use a Drone for Hunting?

Is it legal to use a drone to assist with hunting? Can you use a drone to scout or locate a downed animal?

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[billk]

This is what I found in Illinois

Illinois is a prime example. The Land of Lincoln has a law on its books that prohibits the use of drones to harass hunters or interfere with hunting and fishing activities, but no regulations that specifically address the use of drones for monitoring, scouting or hunting purposes.Sep 26, 2017 closet year that came up on google

[upload]

great video man, I cannot believe this search term actually brought back a video for this. I was thinking about buying a thermal drone for no reason at all and then started to think of reasons and here I am

[RecoveryoneDrone]

Another good info video, I been seeing on Youtube more and more of drone assisting hunts taking place. People just assume it's GTG without checking with local/state agency's. In addition to the hunting issues, I viewed the other day as the pilot used the screen recording showing his telemetry. Video starts with the AGL at 900 before he realizes how high he was. He was flying zoomed (Mavic 3t), so he was not aware of his "situational awareness" only focused on the prey he was following. So, there are other reason/issues that can occurred when using a drone during hunting activities.

[triceburgess]

Great topic and video Russ. Thank you sir.

[roystonehill]

Love the 51 Drone show, great info and insights.. I live in the state of NSW, Australia. the following is aloud in State Forests
Use of drones, You are permitted to use drones to assist in hunting in the State forest.

When using a drone for hunting in the State forest you must operate in accordance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licensing and regulations.

You must not fly a drone within 200 metres of a harvesting operation or interfere with any other forestry management operations when hunting in the State forest.

You must not fly within 5 nautical miles of any fire or other emergency service operation.

You must not harass, impede or unnecessarily disturb any other hunter, State forest user or forest neighbour when using a drone to hunt in the State forest.

[tommydyess]

I don't have the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting Regulations booklet at hand but I do remember that it is illegal to use a drone to photograph wildlife. That is very disappointing in that some Wildlife Management plans encourage the periodic taking of a wildlife census. The fastest way to get a very accurate census would be with an appropriate drone.

[CGatesPhotography]

If you really think about it, it makes sense. Imagine the Pandora's box that opens up when there's four or five drones in the air flying around performing both scouting and recovery. And still others using it to steal a recent kill. Then the forest service is left to try and sort through what was really going on. Additionally, with thermal, scouting becomes unsportsmanlike. In a controlled space like a private land used for hunting, it makes sense to allow drones if the land owner so chooses. Very interesting topic! Thanks Russ!

[Michael]

I live in Missouri and I was looking at the Springfield Leader and Press Newspaper dated, February 9, 2019. It that article it says that, "Hunters already are barred from using drones to spot or track game, and there are penalties in place if drones are used that way in Missouri." This is talking about Missouri Department of Conservation.
For now, Battson Warren said there are no penalties if a Recreational Drone flyer is discovered using Missouri Department of Conservation Land.
I don't know if you can find the article or not.
Hope that helps. Of course it doesn't say anything about private land...

[billsteiert]

Never thought about using my drone specifically for hunting here in SC. I do avoid flying in areas that are known for hunting so as not to spook the animals in the area. I did try to find any restrictions concerning the use of UAV's for hunting and there doesn't seem to be any. I have toyed with the idea of using my drone to spot and drop a baited line while fishing for Spadefish offshore (but haven't done it yet because I am a big chicken about flying over water). Near as I can tell, there are no restrictions concerning this issue as well.

[fm]

One of my first thoughts was regarding how to keep the drone within eyesight when scouting/hunting/recovering in wooded mountainous areas.

[caleb]

This is a really wonderful video, Russ!! Here in Michigan using drones is prohibited for all aspects of the hunt, recovery included.

[kennywheelus]

An also on the subject with drones an hunting an or fishing, what makes using your drone ok to take a baited line out off shore to drop so you can fish for certain fish or in certain spots, I agree on here, too many Grey areas.

[dronedeerrecovery]

Looks like this conversation came up because of Drone Deer Recovery. Let’s do a Collab I’m very passionate about this.

[Leonardokite]

Wow Ruskel (as my dad would call his brother Russ 🙂, you definitely did your homework on this video. And indeed it is an interesting subject and I understand where you are coming from but their problem no doubt is how can they determine that you are using the drone for recovery or hunting purposes. One is noble, that is harvesting the animal that would otherwise suffer and die and never become part of the food chain.
It was probably 40+ years ago when I shot an absolutely beautiful buck. His doe stood by watching as I took care of the post dispatching business. It broke my heart and I have never intentionally killed an animal since then. That said, I 100% support hunting for either pest control or food. And really, when it comes to organic, there is nothing better than natural game.

[seankosha]

I was considering using my M3P to get a Birds Eye view of decoy placement for waterfowl hunting, glad I ran across this video, I would assume it would take speaking and contacting your congressional members to try and get the law changed in order to record your hunt or scout out a hunting spot.

[josephfischer]

The reason I’m sure some won’t let you use it for recovery is because an unscrupulous hunter would always be “looking” for a injured or harvested animal while illegally scouting for game.

[Frank-ufvn]

I have thought about this in the past but till now have had no need to even look into if it was legal or not, and to be honest Im in no way surprised that it's not. One thing that I always fall back on is regardless of what (in my case) the DEC. rules are If you're not taking off or landing from their property can they stop you? From what I understand only the FAA has that kind of strong hold on airspace? I do agree with your takes on the subject. 🚁

[jlp]

Here in Michigan use of a drone is illegal to hunt or recover. I have contacted the Michigan dnr. They say you can not use the drone to in anyway "take" a deer, either dead or alive. I told them I was looking to start a business in deer recovery. That's when I was told it would be adding in the " take" process. But reading the law, using a fish finder with the intent to " take" a fish is ok. Not sure I understand the difference

[FLYANDRIDE]

Super interesting topic and thank you. I’ve not done the research in NJ but I’m sure it’s not allowed 🤦‍♂️ Any additional info would be great. I will also look into.

[Axemanagement]

Indiana is the same way. No use of a drone 14 days before season. I don’t see why locating a deer I shot is a problem. Seems to me it would be better to recover it as opposed to letting it go to waste.