Illinois could become latest state to

ban hunting with drones

By Chicago Tribune, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.28.15
Word Count 860

In this Sept. 17, 2013, file photo, a drone is flown over the Statehouse in Montpelier, Vermont, in support of
legislation by the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union that would regulate surveillance of
private citizens by law enforcement agencies. Photo: AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File

When it comes to hunting, Illinois already takes several steps to preserve what is
known as "fair chase," or giving animals a chance against hunters. The state
bans using bait to lure wildlife, dogs to kill and certain lights to see animals at
night.
Now to those and other do-nots, a state lawmaker would like to add one more:
drones, or unmanned aircraft, that might be used to track or even kill animals.
State Senator Julie Morrison introduced legislation this month that would bar the
use of drones to hunt and fish. The proposed law would build on existing Illinois
law that prohibits using drones to interfere with hunters or fishermen and
restricts their use by law enforcement.

Morrison decided to propose the legislation after talking to officials at the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources. If it passes and becomes a state law, it would
make it illegal to use a drone to kill fish or any species of wildlife protected by
Illinois law.

Nipping The Drone In The Bud

Chris Young, a spokesman for the department, said the Illinois conservation
police have not yet received complaints or reports of anyone using drones while
hunting. Young described the legislation as a proactive measure. The goal is
to get ahead of any potential problems, as drones have now become more
affordable to people.
Young said he could envision hunters using drones to drive wildlife to them or to
locate wildlife beforehand and then go to that spot to hunt.
So the use of drones would basically reduce the element of fair chase, which is
an important principal of hunting, Young said.
Other states, including Montana, Alaska and Colorado, have already restricted
the use of drones in hunting. The moves have been widely embraced by animalrights activists and hunters in those states.
John Bostic, who owns a business guiding hunters, has been hunting for more
than 40 years. He said he favors banning the use of drones in Illinois.
I believe in doing things the old way, and its not hunting to me if its too easy,
Bostic, 56, said. Get out and do your legwork, thats what hunting is about.
Linda Estrada, director of Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, said
she also agreed with banning drones to hunt.
The animal wouldnt have a chance whatsoever, she said.

Is Scouting With Drones Cheating?

Some hunting guide businesses, however, are in favor of being able to use
drones to scout for animals.
Scouting involves exploring a possible hunting area ahead of time to gather
information on animal whereabouts, herd or flock sizes and best spots to hunt
from. Currently in hunting, that is the most likely use for a drone. The aircraft can
be outfitted with video equipment to transmit images and information from the
wilderness back to an operator flying the drone by remote control from the
ground.

Jason Parent, a New Hampshire state legislator who owns a hunting guide
service, has been a vocal proponent of being able to use drones for scouting in
his state. He said using drones to scout would potentially be good for business,
saving customers time and money and increasing the chances of coming into
contact with animals.
He likened using drones for scouting to other devices. Parent said hunters
already use stand-alone cameras to watch for animal activity and tree stands
that allow hunters to see an area from a better point.
Tell me, where does the cheating start? he said.

Protecting Fair Chase

As written, Morrisons legislation would not prohibit the use of drones to scout for
animals before hunting, according to officials at the Department of Natural
Resources.
But Morrison said that was her intent and that, if needed, she would amend the
legislation so that it speaks directly to that.
Young said the department is in favor of adding details to the legislation that
would ban scouting with drones within 24 hours of hunting. Under that
framework, drone scouting would still be allowed outside that time period as
long as it was not being used to bother wildlife, he said.
In keeping with the fair-chase doctrine, Illinois already outlaws such conduct as
using ferrets to frighten or drive mammals from their dens or hiding places;
having dogs pursue, bother or kill deer; using lights connected to a vehicle to
hunt at night; baiting deer and turkey; and shooting most birds when they are
not flying.
Using any computer software or service to remotely control a weapon that takes
wildlife is also banned.

Asian Carp Is Another Story

Morrison said she also plans to consider an amendment to allow the use of
drones to hunt or fish for invasive species like Asian carp, that take over land or
bodies of water and kill native species.
Some have thought that existing Illinois law restricting the use of vehicles
already prohibited drones in hunting. Young said the legislation would clarify the
issue.
This would be specific to unmanned vehicles pursuing animals, he said.

Morrisons legislation would allow the Department of Natural Resources to take

away drones that are used for hunting. The hunter could be charged with a
crime for breaking the law.