Senate Bill S8863

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8863

SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to aid in hunting

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would allow a person to legally operate an unmanned aerial
vehicle with infrared abilities to locate and recover a legally taken
animal, but no person is authorized to enter the property of another or
recover an animal from the property of another person without the
permission of the landowner. The bill will continue to prohibit a person
from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to search for, scout, locate,
hunt, or detect a wild animal to which the hunting season applies as an
aid to take the wild animal.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: 11-0103 of the environment conservation law is amended by
              

adding subdivision 33 which states the definition of "unmanned aerial
vehicle."

Section 2: 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law is amended by
adding subdivision 18 which states that no person shall use an unmanned
aerial vehicle to search for, scout, locate, hunt, detect, or otherwise
aid in the taking of a wild animal to which the hunting season applies.
A person may operate an unmanned aerial vehicle with infrared abilities
to recover legally taken animal, but no person shall be authorized to
enter the property of another person or recover a legally taken animal
from the property of another person without the permission of the prop-
erty owner.

Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Drone Deer Recovery is a company that specializes in retrieving legally
taken deer using drones operated by independent pilots. Mike Yoder, the
owner of Drone Deer Recovery, emphasizes the importance of legislation
allowing hunters to employ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with
infrared capabilities for carcass recovery.

This legislation serves as a crucial tool in preventing the wastage of
legally taken animals, reducing the risk of attracting scavengers or
disrupting ecological balance. By minimizing wastage, it contributes to
sustainable wildlife management efforts.

Traditional methods of deer recovery, such as on-foot searches or using
hunting dogs, can disturb wildlife habitats significantly. UAVs provide
a less intrusive alternative, minimizing human impact on sensitive
ecosystems while facilitating efficient carcass recovery.

Moreover, the legislation aids enforcement agencies in monitoring hunt-
ing activities and ensuring hunters comply with regulations. By regulat-
ing UAV use in hunting, it mitigates the risk of misuse or abuse of this
technology, promoting responsible and ethical practices. This supports
conservation objectives aimed at preserving wildlife populations and
their habitats.

In summary, this legislation benefits hunters by providing a legal
framework for UAV operation while advancing sustainable wildlife manage-
ment and conservation initiatives in New York State.