Drone harrassment...

[NoBark]

No offense intended. This would have pissed me off too. But to be honest, I've had squirrels barking at me in the woods for that long and kept on hunting.  I would think the guys battery is only good for maybe 20 minutes. 

If he had a video camera of the drone doing what it was doing for that long, I think a prosecutor could make the case for 'intent'.

[popeshawnpaul]

Report it.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.210

RCW 77.15.210

Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife—Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of obstructing the taking of fish[, shellfish,] or wildlife if the person:

(a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish, shellfish, or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or

(b) Harasses, intimidates, or interferes with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife or lawful predator control with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof.

The big problem with WA's "hunter harassment" law is the intent requirement.

WDFW (and later the prosecutor) would have to prove that the drone operator harassed/interfered with a hunter WITH THE INTENT of disrupting the lawful hunt.

A two day old defense attorney could quickly say his defendant didn't even know the individual he was flying the drone by was hunting and thus didn't know/intend on disrupting the hunt.

No reason not to do it though.  There is always the chance they could have a bad lawyer or take a deal though.  There is an even better choice they will open their mouth and admit it like so many of my clients do.  Perhaps one of our bad apple game wardens could violate someone's rights and threaten them to admit it or else as they have many times before...  A smart prosecutor could stack the jury with hunters also...

[pianoman9701]

Who do you recommend reporting this type of thing to?

911 as game/hunter harassment.

[fishnfur]

I agree with NoBark - the batteries are going to wear down sooner or later - wait it out awhile.  Tactic II - A few random target practice shots at a nearby log would probably have the perpetrator scrambling to get out of there.

[Alchase]

He should have videoed it with his cell phone,




Then shot it down. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

This has to be the guy on the internet searching for Squatch. It was just a miss judged Squatch siteing......









I'd have shot the stupid thing!

[howlow]

Shooting one down can be considered a felony since they are no different than an shooting down a aircraft they are regulated by faa   but if he was chasing wildlife he could be called in for harassment

[Bob33]

Shooting one down can be considered a felony since they are no different than an shooting down a aircraft they are regulated by faa   but if he was chasing wildlife he could be called in for harassment

Drones used for recreational purposes are not currently regulated by the FAA unless they conflict with regulated aircraft.

[KFhunter]

Report it.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.210

RCW 77.15.210

Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife—Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of obstructing the taking of fish[, shellfish,] or wildlife if the person:

(a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish, shellfish, or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or

(b) Harasses, intimidates, or interferes with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife or lawful predator control with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof.

The big problem with WA's "hunter harassment" law is the intent requirement.

WDFW (and later the prosecutor) would have to prove that the drone operator harassed/interfered with a hunter WITH THE INTENT of disrupting the lawful hunt.

A two day old defense attorney could quickly say his defendant didn't even know the individual he was flying the drone by was hunting and thus didn't know/intend on disrupting the hunt.

No reason not to do it though.  There is always the chance they could have a bad lawyer or take a deal though.  There is an even better choice they will open their mouth and admit it like so many of my clients do.  Perhaps one of our bad apple game wardens could violate someone's rights and threaten them to admit it or else as they have many times before...  A smart prosecutor could stack the jury with hunters also...

It could also help develop a pattern of harassment, that is if his drone lasts long enough.

[Gunitharvester]

I also asked why he didn't just wait it out, he said that he only had about 1/2 hour of legal shooting light left and the drone was so loud, there was no way anything would have come out into the clear cut until it was long gone- best he could figure.  I agree with a lot of your guy's suggestions, especially bringing law enforcement into it. Most agencies take this violation seriously. I have had my fair share of hunter harassment- only while waterfowl hunting- but none the less, the law did show up and chewed some serious @$$, resulting in the perp either being ticketed or a seriously warned.

[CAMPMEAT]

Who cares......why is it that hunters act like they have all the rights and nobody else does ?......It gets old listening to guys whine about such an inconvenience to them.

[Gunitharvester]

Who cares......why is it that hunters act like they have all the rights and nobody else does ?......It gets old listening to guys whine about such an inconvenience to them.

Oh really? Maybe because hunters have a small window to (possibly) harvest quarry that we pay dearly for in this state and few areas to hunt, while some one with a remote control toy has 365 days a year and just about anywhere to play with it. I care.

[MtnMuley]

I would have shot it down and welcomed an altercation.

[CAMPMEAT]

Who cares......why is it that hunters act like they have all the rights and nobody else does ?......It gets old listening to guys whine about such an inconvenience to them.

Oh really? Maybe because hunters have a small window to (possibly) harvest quarry that we pay dearly for in this state and few areas to hunt, while some one with a remote control toy has 365 days a year and just about anywhere to play with it. I care.

Yes really. I hunt, but maybe I'm a little more mature than some hunters. It's life is the way I look at it and I just deal with it accordingly.

[2labs]

Drones don't eat so good.. Kinda like a sea duck, you shot it you it it