Drones, scouting, and recovery in Oklahoma
Two rulebooks apply to drone operations near wildlife in Oklahoma:
1) FAA Part 107 is the federal regulation for piloting of unmanned arial vehicles (UAVS) nationally.
2) Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) defines what a drone can be used for in regard to wildlife of Oklahoma. Read the current ODWC General Hunting Regulations and call your local game warden for additional information.
Q: Is it legal to fly drones over private land?
A: Yes, as a commercial job. I hold an FAA remote pilot certificate under 14 CFR Part 107. That is the certificate to fly a drone for hire in the national airspace, including at night with anti-collision lighting and the required night training (14 CFR 107.12, 107.29). It is not a hunting license and it does not let me take game from the air. ODWC still runs the hunt.
Q: Can I hire you to find a buck before I hunt?
A: On private land, ODWC allows a drone to be used to scout. Then: "Hunting is prohibited in the same area on the same day the drone is used." The drone may not be used to spot and stalk or plan hunting setups for that day. If you want a scouting flight then it must be treated as a scouting day, not a hunt day (24 hr. period).
Q: What about after the shot?
A: ODWC allows a drone to recover wounded wildlife on private property. Before I launch, we notify the local game warden. After the search, we notify them again. I record the flight and control screen for evidence of recovery operations. Call 918-645-1891 for recovery support as soon as you know you need it. every minute counts.
Q: Can I still hunt while you are in the air?
A: No. "While drone/UAV is in use, no method of take is allowed in the present area while recovering the animal with the exception of constitutional carry."
Q: What if the animal is still alive?
A: ODWC: if the animal is alive, the game warden must be notified, the drone must land immediately, and hunting may not resume for at least four hours.
Q: Will you fly a WMA or other ODWC land?
A: No. Takeoff, operate, or land a drone on ODWC-owned or managed lands is prohibited. DMA is blunt: drones may not be used to hunt, scout, or recover wildlife on those lands, and you may not possess a UAV, night-vision, or thermal imaging device there without Director approval. If a recovery effort is needed on ODWC-owned property, the correct action is to call the warden.
Q: How is a wildlife survey different from scouting?
A: A survey is intended to give land owner or wildlife managers the information needed to make educated decisions for managing the herd or habitat improvements. The drone operator will geolocate, pin, verify sex/age of each individual white-tailed deer (or other large animal) and record video/hi resolution pictures of the flight. From this data detailed population density, sex ratios and herd health can be quantified.
Q: What will you not do?
A: I will not harass wildlife or run deer out of a bed so they "show up better." ODWC: it is unlawful to use a drone to harass wildlife or interfere with lawful hunting, and you do not use a drone in a way that causes wildlife to flee or change its normal behavior. I will not fly a neighbor's place because your deer crossed the fence — we need approval from that landowner. I will not fly over ODWC land.
ODWC General Hunting Regulations, Drone/UAV (also Hunting From Motor Vehicles; Landowner Permission). Department-Managed Area Rules, Drone/UAV. FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/regs/general-hunting-regulations
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/regs/department-managed-area-rules