Aircraft/drone ban passes in Wyoming

[JM77]

The Wyo G&F Commission passed a change in Section 12 regulation that reads as follows:

Section 12. Use of Aircraft to Spot or Locate Wildlife. No person shall use or operate any aircraft with the intent to spot, locate and aid in the taking of any game animal from August 1 through January 31 of the following calendar year. Nothing in this Section shall apply to the operation of an aircraft in a usual manner where there is no attempt or intent to locate any game animal, such as aircraft used for the sole purpose of passenger transport.

Last year the definition of aircraft was changed to read:


(b) “Aircraft” means any machine or device (including but not limited to airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) capable of atmospheric flight.

The Wyoming Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers worked hard to see this through with help from all seven other members of the Wyoming Sportsman Alliance; Wyo Wildlife Federation, Wyo Wild Sheep Foundation, Yellowstone Bear Hunters, Muley Fanatics, Wyo Federation of Union Sportsman, Backcountry Horseman, & Bowhunters of Wyo.

 

[SunnyInCO]

Thanks. This is one of those rules that probably has the most support from ethical hunters than any other rule/reg. Colorado passed its version 2 or three years ago.

 

[CrossCreeks]

Thanks for the up date.

 

[kesand72]

Is aircraft scouting a big issue in Wyoming and Colorado?
What are the arguments on both sides?

 

[SunnyInCO]

Is aircraft scouting a big issue in Wyoming and Colorado?
What are the arguments on both sides?

My gut feeling is this is not an issue now but will become one, specifically in regards to drones. From what I understand they are so much cheaper and improved even vs even a year ago that it will be easy to take one in the backcountry and scout and/or harass animals.

Not sure what the points the opposition could make.

 

[laxwyo]

I thought there was a rule that said you couldn't hunt within 24 hrs of flying. Was this to prevent those guys from flying those ultralights into those land locked areas? Also, I know tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting etc. based on what I read, you can't do this starting August 1st


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[JM77]

I thought there was a rule that said you couldn't hunt within 24 hrs of flying. Was this to prevent those guys from flying those ultralights into those land locked areas? Also, I know tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting etc. based on what I read, you can't do this starting August 1st


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The old rule was 24 hrs between scouting from aircraft to hunting. The new rule prohibits it completely from Aug 1. This regulation DOES NOT prohibit flying for transport, landlocked or not.

 

[BuzzH]

I thought there was a rule that said you couldn't hunt within 24 hrs of flying. Was this to prevent those guys from flying those ultralights into those land locked areas? Also, I know tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting etc. based on what I read, you can't do this starting August 1st


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There was a 24 hour rule in the old regulation, not the new regulation.

There is a ban on flying starting August 1, for the "tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting". I guess its time those with sheep tags make an ethical, fair chase HUNT the priority over filling a tag. If they want to get a look at the area they're going to hunt, google-earth, bing photography are still available.

One of the primary reasons that JM77 and I pushed this regulation was to stop exactly what you say, "tons of people" do. I had a good friend that had a sheep hunt absolutely destroyed by airplanes pushing sheep out of the basin he was hunting with his long bow. Within a couple days of the aircraft spotting those sheep from the air, he had an outfitter camped right on top of him.

I also witnessed the same "ton of people" flying every single day of the deer/elk season in the Wyoming Range looking for big-game.

It was well past time to stop this unethical behavior.

 

[WEST RIVER]

I am you and JM77 were at the commissioners meeting to see this thru.Thanks

There was a 24 hour rule in the old regulation, not the new regulation.

There is a ban on flying starting August 1, for the "tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting". I guess its time those with sheep tags make an ethical, fair chase HUNT the priority over filling a tag. If they want to get a look at the area they're going to hunt, google-earth, bing photography are still available.

One of the primary reasons that JM77 and I pushed this regulation was to stop exactly what you say, "tons of people" do. I had a good friend that had a sheep hunt absolutely destroyed by airplanes pushing sheep out of the basin he was hunting with his long bow. Within a couple days of the aircraft spotting those sheep from the air, he had an outfitter camped right on top of him.

I also witnessed the same "ton of people" flying every single day of the deer/elk season in the Wyoming Range looking for big-game.

It was well past time to stop this unethical behavior.

 

[Gr8bawana]

A few years ago there were some clowns a guide in the AZ strip had flying ultralights and using a radio to lead them to some monster bucks. It would only be a matter of time before the same thing happened using drones. I hope all the states put some kind of regulations in place to prevent this.

 

[laxwyo]

The old rule was 24 hrs between scouting from aircraft to hunting. The new rule prohibits it completely from Aug 1. This regulation DOES NOT prohibit flying for transport, landlocked or not.

There was a 24 hour rule in the old regulation, not the new regulation.

There is a ban on flying starting August 1, for the "tons of people that take a flight for sheep scouting". I guess its time those with sheep tags make an ethical, fair chase HUNT the priority over filling a tag. If they want to get a look at the area they're going to hunt, google-earth, bing photography are still available.

One of the primary reasons that JM77 and I pushed this regulation was to stop exactly what you say, "tons of people" do. I had a good friend that had a sheep hunt absolutely destroyed by airplanes pushing sheep out of the basin he was hunting with his long bow. Within a couple days of the aircraft spotting those sheep from the air, he had an outfitter camped right on top of him.

I also witnessed the same "ton of people" flying every single day of the deer/elk season in the Wyoming Range looking for big-game.

It was well past time to stop this unethical behavior.

Wow, that really is awesome! Thanks for your hard work! I had no idea that this had been changed. I had been thinking the drone thing needed to be done. Next up, cellular trail cameras during hunting season!

 

[Horsenhike]

Wow, that really is awesome! Thanks for your hard work! I had no idea that this had been changed. I had been thinking the drone thing needed to be done. Next up, cellular trail cameras during hunting season!

If they are going to do that they need to make an exception for camp security.

 

[laxwyo]

If they are going to do that they need to make an exception for camp security.

Yeah, that would be difficult to write up. The thought of someone sitting in a stand or at home, getting a pic from a camera and heading to that camera and laying down an animals just doesn't sit well with my instincts. But I could see where people would use them for security purposes

 

[Murdy]

"(b) 'Aircraft' means any machine or device (including but not limited to airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) capable of atmospheric flight."

So you can still use a satellite?

 

[SunnyInCO]

"(b) 'Aircraft' means any machine or device (including but not limited to airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) capable of atmospheric flight."

So you can still use a satellite?

If you have access to a live satellite your one cool dude...and really rich!