Its official, the state of Wyoming has banned the practice of scouting for wildlife using either a manned or unmanned aircraft during prescribed hunting seasons.
According to the recently approved regulations by Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, the use of aircraft, including drones, will be prohibited between August 1st and January 31st of each and every year.
These regulations follow the suit of many other states now moving to ban the use of drones for scouting and hunting wild game. With the rise in popularity of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), legislation has come charging out of the gates from many state legislators, initially protecting the public interest and personal privacy.
Of recently, the legislation has turned toward the outdoors with more organizations, law makers and hunters calling for this type of legislation.
Toward the end of January, Jeff Muratore with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers highlighted the organization’s vital role revising the regulations at the time pertaining to the use of aircraft in the state of Wyoming.
Working closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the proposed regulation in Chapter 2 Section 12 was eventually revised to read as follows:
Section 12. Use of Aircraft to Spot or Locate Wildlife. No person shall use or operate any aircraft with the intent to spot, locate and aid in the taking of any game animal from August 1 through January 31 of the following calendar year. Nothing in this Section shall apply to the operation of an aircraft in a usual manner where there is no attempt or intent to locate any game animal, such as aircraft used for the sole purpose of passenger transport.
Initial opponents were those involved in commercial flight operations for transportation and a small group of anglers and hunters. The consensus from the majority of outdoorsmen and women seems to be that prohibiting these types of aircraft from harassing wildlife falls under the ethical and fair chase principles we are all so proud to exhibit.
