On the "airplane scouting" post there was a mixed bag of opinions as to whether or not it's ethical to scout game from the air. So what do you guys think about the use of drones? I hear they are being used in the Greys by some guys for locating deer.
Should drones be legal?
- Thread starter WY ME
- Start date
I believe that they are already illegal to use in Colorado, we just banned their use in Alaska as a hunting/scouting tool.
With their ability to "haze" game, I suspect the federal guys would say they are illegal if an animal demonstrated harassment in any way.
Ethical? It's difficult to say. It would be the way they are used I guess.
With their ability to "haze" game, I suspect the federal guys would say they are illegal if an animal demonstrated harassment in any way.
Ethical? It's difficult to say. It would be the way they are used I guess.
Timberstalker
Veteran member
I would hope they would be illegal in every state, we have too much technology for hunting as it is IMO.
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hoshour
Veteran member
I don't think drones are even a close call when it comes to ethical hunting. What's next - shooting elk out of a helicopter?
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Guys, just a heads up on this issue. A meeting was just held recently with sportspersons along with G&F personnel regarding various technology advancements, etc. and from what I understand drones was a big part of the discussion. WYBHA (Wyoming Backcountry Hunters & Anglers) is leading the push to ban them from scouting , hunting, etc. and a Bill (HB0030) has already been prefiled with the Legislature in this years session. Click on this link to read it: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2014/Introduced/HB0030.pdf
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,216
- 797
Just my opinion, but seems way over the line to me! I'm a little old school as far as technology though! I don't have the money to afford all that cool stuff,so I'm trying to drag everybody back to my level
Musket Man
Veteran member
I think they should be completely illegal. Scouting with them would only be something rich hunters could do and it would make scouting to easy. Its hunting not find from air and shoot!
Squirrel tail
Member
+1 for banning them for hunting and scouting ...although im unsure how it would be enforceable to catch people scouting and try to prosecute with someone being able to say im just practicing or making a movie of the animals and landscape...to me its kind of like catching people who bring "non weedfree hay" into the wilderness yes the forest service and game wardens should check people like outfitters and private they see but how do they know where everyone is or if they fed there stock weed free hay before the trip ...the only way i know of would be to be actively watching whole states from satellites to me that just seams unrealistic to me....
extreme minnesotan
Member
I read through the airplane scouting and recognized that well over half the people are ok with that, but find it really interesting so far no one agrees to the use of drones. Are they not very similar?
To me flying airplane, helicopter, or drone would be considered rich mans scouting and very similar type of results could be had from these three ways. I feel drones would be more for the not as rich hunters to have some what of the same playing field as the ones that fly around with a plane or hire a plane to fly them around. What if some of the same laws of using a drone were the same as flying. Couldn't hunt the same day ect.?
I would imagine a drone that a hunter could buy wouldn't be nearly as efficient as scouting from a plan because of the ground that could be covered and from the camera quality vs seeing it first hand from a plane. I can't imagine the drones that someone could buy could be flown from a miles away? I am curious what type of range they do have now though.
I am just surprised on the difference in feelings people have from drones to planes.
In the airplane thread most hunters are fine with technology advancements but drones are the line where its too much.
I guess my first thought when I heard Colorado banned them was good, but after reading how guys say airplanes are fine for scouting why shouldn't drones be if your held to some of the same laws as flying?
To me flying airplane, helicopter, or drone would be considered rich mans scouting and very similar type of results could be had from these three ways. I feel drones would be more for the not as rich hunters to have some what of the same playing field as the ones that fly around with a plane or hire a plane to fly them around. What if some of the same laws of using a drone were the same as flying. Couldn't hunt the same day ect.?
I would imagine a drone that a hunter could buy wouldn't be nearly as efficient as scouting from a plan because of the ground that could be covered and from the camera quality vs seeing it first hand from a plane. I can't imagine the drones that someone could buy could be flown from a miles away? I am curious what type of range they do have now though.
I am just surprised on the difference in feelings people have from drones to planes.
In the airplane thread most hunters are fine with technology advancements but drones are the line where its too much.
I guess my first thought when I heard Colorado banned them was good, but after reading how guys say airplanes are fine for scouting why shouldn't drones be if your held to some of the same laws as flying?
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Fink
Veteran member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I think it should be illegal for drones to fly ABOVE 100' 0ver the ground....then I could practice my lead with my shotgun, getting ready for goose season!
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Fink
Veteran member
The old Kicks Hi flier choke, with some heavy shot #2's would do a serious number on a drone!
So I wonder how it will affect the TV shows that use drones to film their hunting shows? Most of the "fly over shots" are filmed with drones. It's not hunting but who is to say while they where filming part of the show they were or were not scouting. Sounds like the gray area.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
With the technology improvements in drones and miniaturization of High Def cameras, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Kevin Root
Very Active Member
If they are not already illegal in all states, they should be when used for a hunting or scouting tool. It kind of takes away the fair chase of it all.
I’ve seen some awesome videography though using them. One of the guys I follow for fly fishing, Todd Moen with Catch Magazine uses one of those Quadrocopter for his films now and it does add some creative pop to his films seeing the angles and such from the air. Pretty cool technology but I’m not sure I’m wanting to see them flying around the mountains while I’m hunting. There are just better ways out there to hunt and explore new places.
https://vimeo.com/84242483
[video=vimeo;84242483]https://vimeo.com/84242483[/video]
I’ve seen some awesome videography though using them. One of the guys I follow for fly fishing, Todd Moen with Catch Magazine uses one of those Quadrocopter for his films now and it does add some creative pop to his films seeing the angles and such from the air. Pretty cool technology but I’m not sure I’m wanting to see them flying around the mountains while I’m hunting. There are just better ways out there to hunt and explore new places.
https://vimeo.com/84242483
[video=vimeo;84242483]https://vimeo.com/84242483[/video]
I work in high tech and enjoy all types of technology. I think they would be fun to play with, just like setting out trail cameras or a plot watcher. Wouldn't it be great to not have to climb that mountain to only see nothing? That said, I really don't want them being legal for scouting. There's a point where it's not hunting any more.
extreme minnesotan
Member
I agree, I think they would be fun to try out. But I don't truly think a drone will produce that great of images and have that great of video. Now maybe I am wrong cause I have not used one or seen what kind of images they can produce, but depending on size and weight are there going to be that many that get packed into the field to get used a few miles back?