Drones

[Mark W]

Drones are a lot of fun. I've tinkered with them a little, several friends have them but I have not jumped in. I don't have the bug yet, I'm thinking "wait til the batteries are better".

You mentioned taking the test. I don't know what percent of drone operators take it, but plenty don't play by the rules. Climbing out of airports in a small airplane at over 500' AGL, and cruising at close to 1,000', I've seen them. The little guys like yours might not cause a light aircraft to crash, but there are some heftier ones coming on the market. Kind of the difference between a dove or a turkey hitting your car windshield.

There are different kinds of tests to be a drone pilot. The FAA requires you take a very simple test, very simple. It is called the TRUST test. The FAA also requires you to register a drone over a certain weight. I: think it is 500 grams (or is it 250 Grams. The DJI Min 3,4 and whatver the latest models is meets this requirement. U:nder that weight, no registration required.

And be very cognizant of what is going on between the Feds and DJI. The Feds are trying to, or have already banned DJI because of spying software implanted in the dorne. Also note, the DJI follows the law and its software does not permit you to fly in restricted areas. This is good and bad.

 

[Mark W]

I just learned something. I looked up scouting with drones in Alabama and it is legal on private property. However, you cannot use drones to scout on WMAs without permission from AL DCNR.

For any unauthorized person to launch, land or possess or use any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/drone on any AREA without first obtaining written permission from the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

Because we hunt TVA so much I looked it up. A quick search found this on TVAs website.

Rules for Use of Undeveloped TVA Public Lands​

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or Drones)​

• Unless otherwise posted, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) may be operated on or over undeveloped TVA public lands in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations. Public operation of drones is prohibited on developed TVA public lands as outlined in the Rules for Use of Developed TVA Public Lands section below.
• Operation of drones may not harass, harm or otherwise interfere with any person, personal or real property, natural resources, wildlife or TVA operations or activities on or over TVA public lands.
• Drones may not be abandoned. Unattended drones may not be left overnight. Any unattended drones are subject to immediate removal at TVA’s sole discretion.
• Violators will be subject to immediate removal from TVA property and all applicable civil or criminal remedies. Owners and/or operators of drones are liable for all damages caused by the possession, operation or use of a drone. TVA assumes no liability with regard to the operation or use of drones.

Rules for Use of Developed TVA Public Lands​

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or Drones)​

• Public operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) is prohibited on and over all developed TVA public lands, facilities, or structures—including but not limited to TVA dam reservations and developed recreation areas (such as campgrounds and day-use areas) power plant reservations, power substations, and transmission lines.
• Violators will be subject to immediate removal from TVA property and all applicable civil or criminal remedies. Owners and/or operators of drones are liable for all damages caused by the possession, operation, or use of a drone. TVA assumes no liability with regard to the operation or use of drones.

I'd be interested to see if this is enforceable. The FAA controls all airspzce and for other entities to restrict flying is unlawful. There are many rules. It is very legal to stand on public ground and fly over ares that say you can't fly there. Launching and retrieving from publis spaces is allowable. It is all very confusing.

 

[Mark W]

Given those 2 (or 3) options? I'd rather they slip in (on foot preferably) and glass an area and leave.

You are thinking solely about waterfowl scouting. Consider deer or turkey for a moment... Dude rolls over with a drone, sees a buck bedded down, and "accidentally" bumps it out as he's flying the drone away, right toward his awaiting rifle barrel. FWIW, you can scout your waterfowl pond the evening before to see whats there, and hunt the next morning, legally. You can't roll your drone over the pond as you are walking out to it, to hunt.

I'm also not a big fan of the guys who have cellular cameras set up sending them updates of the buck walking toward them while they are out there hunting. That is happening all the time now.

I beieve this is incorrect. You can be hunting and flying a drone to scout. You cannot rally ducks with the drone however. At leat in MN, where absolutely nothing is allowed, you can do this.

 

[Mark W]

Checking out my boat to see how it looks from the ducks vantage point.

 

[Steven Alexander]

I beieve this is incorrect. You can be hunting and flying a drone to scout. You cannot rally ducks with the drone however. At leat in MN, where absolutely nothing is allowed, you can do this.

I can only speak for Alabama. See post #14. Those are out of the AL DCNR reg book. It is illegal here to be using a drone while hunting to spot, harass, or kill game.

 

[Mark W]

I can only speak for Alabama. See post #14. Those are out of the AL DCNR reg book. It is illegal here to be using a drone while hunting to spot, harass, or kill game.

Got it. Still legal to fly a drone while hunting if you don't do any of what you list. I hate rules/regs like this. To be breaking any of them they would have to prove intent. Like the pic I posted earlier, I just wanted to see how my boat fit in and what the ducks see flying overhead. That was my only intent. Nothing nefarious.

And Alabama cannot control the airspace I know for sure. This is the responsibility of the FAA.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Mark

I've reached out to a friend whose son flies drone's professionally for the Army. I've asked him to comment on the state controlling airspace over WMAs. The rule I posted only covers "launch, land or possess" so like SJ noted if you are flying from adjacent land over the WMA that in and of itself is not against the law. Reading over the posts and thinking about it I can see how they could be a good tool or an abused one. I bet at this juncture few tickets for hunters with drones have been written.

 

[Steven Alexander]

And Alabama cannot control the airspace I know for sure. This is the responsibility of the FAA.

No, but an AL game warden can ticket you for using one illegally.