DRONES and WDFW Law enforcement

[KFhunter]

FAA would beg to differ

[JakeLand]

FAA would beg to differ

you are correct! It changed in 2018

[Angry Perch]

Something makes me think that if a drone was hovering outside my daughter's window, I wouldn't contemplate the legality of taking it out! 

[Jake Dogfish]

Their is nothing more annoying then a drone buzzing above your head while float tubing.   

[jrebel]

We had a drone flying over us on a late hunt this year.  We assumed it was super lazy people breaking the law while locating deer.  Wonder if it was WDFW??  If so it was super annoying and pretty loud.   It was on public land surrounded by private.  Not a fan of drones during the hunting season at all.  Definitely not a fan of drones for locating or harassing animals.   I own a drone and use it for a rials of my property and photos when no one else is there to take them. 

[Bareback]

FAA would beg to differ

you are correct! It changed in 2018

Care to share a link to verify this?

I had a drone hovering over our daughter several years ago. Fortunately, for myself, it was gone by the time I got my shotgun. I did Look into this several years ago, maybe 2018ish possibly early, shooting at a drone was a direct FFA violation. Along with that, you would more then likely be cited for reckless discharge of a firearm too. If you want to keep you guns think twice.

From what I gathered, over private property, if you found out the person flying the drone there was a potential for trespass. The tough part about that is getting law enforcement to pursue anything.

[pianoman9701]

It’s also legal here to shoot any drone over your private property , if any drone was flying above my property it would get a load of 2 shot

Nope, not legal and it's a federal charge. Drones of any type are considered aircraft and are controlled by the FAA. They're protected by some of the same rules that protect manned aircraft. Save your #2 shot for ducks.

[pianoman9701]

Bruce, I guess I'd be asking more questions like 'under what circumstances will these be used?' or 'will they be used during hunting season, possibly scaring off game?'.

[GWP]

There is a video of a woman that knocked down a drone and took it, while denying she took it. Tracker and video (still on) led the owner and cops to her. SHE was the one in trouble.

[Bareback]

It’s also legal here to shoot any drone over your private property , if any drone was flying above my property it would get a load of 2 shot

Nope, not legal and it's a federal charge. Drones of any type are considered aircraft and are controlled by the FAA. They're protected by some of the same rules that protect manned aircraft. Save your #2 shot for ducks.

Question ..... manned aircraft falls under FAA regulations, piloting requires a certificate, should operating a drone require a certification?

Is it plausible to consider drone use by WDFW violating 77.15.210. Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife?

[Practical Approach]

While I do not like the idea of a drone interfering with my recreating.  I do appreciate its effectiveness at documenting criminal behavior in the woods.  I would hope that drones are only deployed when suspected criminal behavior is taking place.  If drones eliminate criminal behavior in the woods and are not too intrusive, I am all for them.  However, I could be convinced otherwise if their use is abused. 

[Taco280AI]

It’s also legal here to shoot any drone over your private property , if any drone was flying above my property it would get a load of 2 shot

Nope, not legal and it's a federal charge. Drones of any type are considered aircraft and are controlled by the FAA. They're protected by some of the same rules that protect manned aircraft. Save your #2 shot for ducks.

Question ..... manned aircraft falls under FAA regulations, piloting requires a certificate, should operating a drone require a certification?

Is it plausible to consider drone use by WDFW violating 77.15.210. Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife?

Drones that weigh 250 grams or more have to be registered with the FAA. Commercial operations fall under Part 107 regulations. And there's general regulations to follow for all drones.

[fishngamereaper]

You don't have an expectation of privacy on public land... drone's, spotting scopes photography etc...

There are restrictions already in place for Leo use of drone's directly over private property. But if the drone stays over public right of way looking into private property it's fine..

[pianoman9701]

It’s also legal here to shoot any drone over your private property , if any drone was flying above my property it would get a load of 2 shot

Nope, not legal and it's a federal charge. Drones of any type are considered aircraft and are controlled by the FAA. They're protected by some of the same rules that protect manned aircraft. Save your #2 shot for ducks.

Question ..... manned aircraft falls under FAA regulations, piloting requires a certificate, should operating a drone require a certification?

Is it plausible to consider drone use by WDFW violating 77.15.210. Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife?

That's a good question BB, for which I have no answer.

[kentrek]

Lol are you against the warden using a drone on the mud flow ?? If they are in pursuit then is it illegal?

Honestly chillin up by the highway with a btx 115 helping a warden with a drone sounds pretty fun...those elk have been getting pushed hard