I recently bought the new DJI phantom 4 for recreational purposes and video projects. Almost every time I show it to someone that knows I hunt, they ask if I'm going to use it to hunt or scout with, which I never had intentions of or plan on doing. Being a pilot I know the restrictions of flying and hunting shortly after but now someone can buy a drone for much cheaper then getting a pilots license and go find that monster buck. What do you guys think? Do you think drones are going to cause problems and make poaching easier and more effective or will people remain honest and avoid using them while hunting? Also, Do you think non hunters or other people will use them to harass hunters who are legally participating in the sport?
If someone used one to harass my hunting efforts, my carry piece just might be pulled and I'd have a little fun target practice... Probably not, but it'd be tempting.
The sad thing is, is I think it's illegal to shoot them down too. So you are at their mercy. I would be tempted to blast one out the sky as well but I wouldn't want someone to shoot mine. Although, I wouldn't be harassing anyone intentionally anyways. Shooting on down may get you in more trouble then the person would get in that was harassing you. I never thought drones would be a problem until I witnessed the amount of people that asked if I was going to which makes me think more people would purchase a drone with intentions of using them for locating animals and going to hunt them.
Illegal in MI to use drone during any hunting season weather scouting or not. My buddy has used his to get better views of propertys but we have never seen a deer on film.
Drones are a huge concern with forest fire response with detection/spotter planes over a fire and if you bring in a helo or water dropper. All air operations must go to an elevated platform till the drone is cleared. Every briefing and safety refresher involved drone warnings. Horrible idea to allow the public to have access to an aircraft that has the possibility to interfere with air traffic.
I agree. I think forest fires and surrounding area should be a no fly zone except for emergency personnel. I wouldn't think it would be safe to fly a drone near a major fire regardless of if it allowed or not. They should put little anti drone water cannons on the water dropping air craft.
Can a person with no interest in hunting operate a drone while its deer season? Say if I visited and had no hunting license would it still be illegal?
From what I found, it looks like the law only affects those who are hunting or pursuing game. • Hunt or pursue wild animals or birds from a car, snowmobile, aircraft, drone, motorboat, personal water craft, ORV, or other motorized vehicle, or by a sailboat. ......and you have to register your drone in MI with FAA -Drones over 0.55 lbs. and under 55 lbs. are required to enroll. -Registration cost is $5 per individual drone unit. -Individuals already in possession and use of a drone must register the unit by February 19. -Devices purchased after December 21 must be registered before their first flight. -Those registered between December 21 and January 20 will be reimbursed their $5 fee. -Failure to comply with registration guidelines could result in civil fines near $27,000, criminal fines up to $250,000 and up to three years in prison.
They can do all the TFR's they want the drone operators would never know. My point is an aircraft without communications is a hazard.
are they just worried about collisions with aircraft? If I responded to a fire and saw a drone it would be getting wet!
Very true. Maybe they should add a radio for communication on the transmitter and you have to state your intentions when you fly just like when flying out of a non towered airport.
I do not believe we have the camera technology to make using a drone very beneficial as a tool while actively hunting. I could see using one to get a more current overhead view of the land than available through Google. I could see using one to try and locate trespassers. If one could be hooked up with wifi so they can be flown in and pull trail cam pics without having to walk onto the land would be neat. I wouldn't be concerned about somebody shooting one down, if you fly one close enough for somebody to hit with a pistol, you are way too close in the first place.
I've got a DJI Inspire and there are a lot of regulations to make it hard to even legally fly it. Not that that has ever stopped people from doing things.
