Opinions on whether a Part 107 is needed for deer recovery.

[jaja6009]

What is he going to use it to hunt down his prey ? Seems to me if your going to use a drone to hunt, your no longer a hunter...........On the other hand, using it in keeping ones livestock/family safe is another issue

Did you read the first post? He is using the drone to find the deer after it has been shot. So a recovery.
A guy actually made a business doing this that has expanded. Pay him just to show up and then pay him again if he finds your deer where he will then tell you where to find it. I don't hunt but found this deer recovery guy's youtube channel interesting.

 

[KJC Imaging]

Imagine the beautiful doe-eyed dear prancing through the forest. It puts its little dear lips down to take a drink from the babbling brook when suddenly BLAM! Its brains are scattered across the meadow. Do you think it really gives a dang if you are being paid to fly your drone?

(Apologies- the my cousin Vinny scene came to mind!)

 

[CadrePilot]

It may seem ridiculous, but its not hypothetical. A coworker is a hunter and is in the process of buying a thermal drone (M2EA or M3ET). They asked my opinion and I looked at it like this:

He is hunting for sport or you could say recreatioanlly. He does not sell any part of the deer. He is now going to use a drone to support his recreational activity.

We have a person making an honest effort to follow the rules and I am just making sure I give him the right advice. Fly Part 107 or fly recreationally.

My opinion is that hunting is a recreational activity and using a tool to assist in that recreational activity is a recreational use of that tool.

 

[TinajaEco]

My opinion is that hunting is a recreational activity and using a tool to assist in that recreational activity is a recreational use of that tool.

It’s completely against the concept of Fair Chase.

 

[mavic3usa]

My opinion is that hunting is a recreational activity and using a tool to assist in that recreational activity is a recreational use of that tool.

Completely agree with you as well; however, it makes sense that the government does not see hunting as a recreational activity (unlike hitting a golf ball on the green or playing cards on a park bench) because the government won't allow you engage in "hunting" activity without a permit or paying a few or getting a license. I have a feeling whatever drone-related tools are legally allowed while hunting will need to involve part 107 as well. It's not commercial but it's not recreational either and therefore, it's part 107.

 

[CadrePilot]

It’s completely against the concept of Fair Chase.

1. That's a different matter;
2. The OP specifically asked about using a drone for recovery.

 

[CadrePilot]

Completely agree with you as well; however, it makes sense that the government does not see hunting as a recreational activity (unlike hitting a golf ball on the green or playing cards on a park bench) because the government won't allow you engage in "hunting" activity without a permit or paying a few or getting a license. I have a feeling whatever drone-related tools are legally allowed while hunting will need to involve part 107 as well. It's not commercial but it's not recreational either and therefore, it's part 107.

Sorry, but that doesn't make any sense to me. The government regulates and profits from a lot of recreational activities.
I generally have a pretty narrow view of what is technically "recreational use" and this falls within it.

 

[Kilrah]

Hunting and the "unfair advantage" from advanced tech has always been a touchy subject and the take will likely vary a lot depending on who you're talking to (and result in different consequences depending on who's in charge of regulating hunting in your area). Some will argue that if you need a drone to find your kill you didn't deserve it in the first place.

 

[mavic3usa]

Sorry, but that doesn't make any sense to me. The government regulates and profits from a lot of recreational activities.
I generally have a pretty narrow view of what is technically "recreational use" and this falls within it.

Hopefully one day when drones become ubiquitous, then also will the work they perform with regard to commercial activities. I understand how things may have been different a long time ago but it agreed, it has to change.