Hunting with Drones (2015, neighborhood, cheapest)

[Glitch]

As a result of the FAA ruling on civilian drones last week (FAA proposes widespread civilian drone use in US airspace by 2015 ? RT USA), I began thinking of some of the areas where they may be applied. One possibility that occurred to me would be to assist hunters. Now I am aware that Alaska hunting regulations prohibit hunting on the same day that the plane as landed. However, if the hunter never leaves the ground, but uses a UAV to spot game, would that be in violation of the regulations?

The Keii UAV includes a thermal imager, and a range of 5 miles. Built in self-stabilization make it very easy to fly.


The INFOTRON, IT180 is powered by a 46cc two-stroke engine and can carry a 5 kg (11 pounds) payload, plus it includes a gyro-stabilized camera (daylight optics, infrared, or dual optical sensor) with a 36x zoom. It is also much more stable in high winds and rain, with a range of 10 km (6.2 miles).



The AirRobot, AR100B, includes infra-red and low light cameras and a maximum payload of 200 grams (0.5 pounds). It is almost completely silent, and has a range of 5,000 feet for a duration of 28 minutes. It is also the cheapest of the three UAVs costing around $2,380.80.

All three of these UAVs could prove very useful to a hunter, particularly with infra-red or thermal sensors. However, should hunting with drones be allowed in Alaska?

[Dakster]

Forget the law, isn't that considered cheating?

If I gotta catch something to survive, you take whatever advantage you can get though.

[AK76]

Should UAV's be legal?

HELL NO!

Would they be effective?

Absolutely.

Will ADFG act before someone has success with one?

Good question.

[Rance]

As long as my own government does not use them to find and shoot at me I'm game!

[Dakster]

Too late Rance. They already do.

[Rance]

Well I haven't been hit yet so I guess they missed! I think using drones would be beneficial for locating and counting herds, maybe even driving herds what ever they might be. I would hate to see anyone using them for actual hunting tho.

[Dakster]

You use them for hunting by having them locate the herd for you. Isn't that why hunting the same day you flew in is illegal?

Locally, they are not armed - just used to locate.

I agree that an armed UAV would be scary.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Forget the law, isn't that considered cheating?

If I gotta catch something to survive, you take whatever advantage you can get though.

Why would it be cheating?

Do you use a rifle to hunt? Is that considered cheating?
Do you use a scope on your rifle to hunt? Is that considered cheating?

The reason why I brought up hunting with a UAV is because Alaska regulations prohibit flying, landing, and hunting on the same day. I am not entirely certain what the reason is behind the law, but presumably it was to prevent hunters from using aircraft to target their prey, landing, and then killing their prey on the same day. If that was the purpose behind the law, then it needs to be expanded to include prohibiting UAVs from doing the same thing.

If that was not the purpose behind the law, then perhaps UAVs should be allowed to spot game. As AK76 posted, it could certainly prove to be very effective.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Dakster

You use them for hunting by having them locate the herd for you. Isn't that why hunting the same day you flew in is illegal?

Locally, they are not armed - just used to locate.

I agree that an armed UAV would be scary.

That is the question I would like answered. I do not know the intent behind the regulation that prohibits landing and hunting on the same day. It could be something with a lot of careful thought behind the regulation, or it could be petty legislation enacted because some Alaskan Rep. did not like aircraft landing in their neighborhood. I do not know either way.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Glitch

That is the question I would like answered. I do not know the intent behind the regulation that prohibits landing and hunting on the same day. It could be something with a lot of careful thought behind the regulation, or it could be petty legislation enacted because some Alaskan Rep. did not like aircraft landing in their neighborhood. I do not know either way.

I am pretty sure it was enacted in order to ensure fairness in the hunts. Same day airborne hunting would give a huge advantage to those that could afford it.