Idaho Legislature votes to make hunting with drones illegal - East Idaho News
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Idaho Legislature votes to make hunting with drones illegal

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BOISE — A bill to make drones an illegal tool while hunting has passed the Idaho House and Senate and is now in the hands of Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.

The bill would add five words — “including any unmanned aircraft system” — to several sections of Idaho’s Fish and Game statute (Idaho Code 36-1101). The section of the statute where the changes are proposed deals with the protection of wildlife and ethical hunting practices in the Gem State.

“Hunting isn’t what it used to be,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, told EastIdahoNews.com. “When I was younger, we didn’t have all the high-definition camouflage, our rifles weren’t even camouflaged. Keeping drones out of hunting is keeping the chase ethical. It gives the animals a fair advantage, and it keeps us to our roots.”

The addition would prohibit hunters from using drones or unmanned aerial vehicles to track animals. But Bateman said once a animal is ethically shot, a drone can be launched and used to determine the animal’s location.

“No communication between ground and air is allowed,” he said. “If someone were to launch a drone, take photos and then review the photos while on the ground, that’s fine as long as the drone wasn’t used to locate the animal prior to the hunt.”

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Photo by Stephan Rockefeller, EastIdahoNews.com

Bateman wasn’t aware of any situation where a drone has been used to hunt, but says amending the law is proactive.

“This is about honoring ethics and keeping the spirit of the hunt true,” he said.

Idaho residents who have passed the Idaho hunter education programs already know that hunting from motorized vehicles, helicopters or other aircraft is illegal. This bill clarifies that existing law, and removes any question regarding the use of unmanned aircraft.

After the bill passed the Senate on Feb. 15, it moved to Otter’s desk. Should Otter sign it, it will become a crime to use a unmanned aircraft for the following:

  • To molest, stir up, rally or drive in any manner any of the game animals or game birds.
  • To spot or locate game animals, game birds or fur bearing animals.
  • To locate any big game animal for the purpose of hunting those animals during the same calendar day.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game spokesman Michael Keckler said the legislation is supported by the department.

“We routinely review the latest technology available, if any of that technology has the potential to give an unfair advantage, or could be used to violate the fair chase ethic, we move to eliminate it,” Keckler said.

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