Idaho Hunters Call for Ban on Drones, Thermal Imaging, and Cell Cameras

A 23-member citizen committee tasked with examining Idaho’s regulations concerning the utilization of technology for hunting has come to a unanimous decision. suggested a set of limitations Among the most transformative types of hunting equipment, the state’s Fish and Game Commission instructed agency personnel this week to incorporate these suggestions into regulatory proposals. These proposals will be open for public feedback later this year.

Specifically, The Hunter-Technology Task Force The group unanimously suggests prohibiting all aircraft (including remotely operated drones) for activities such as spotting, identifying, or assisting with the hunting of large game animals between July 1st and December 31st. Additionally, they recommend keeping Idaho’s present ban on "smart optics" – weapons equipped with sights that offer an adjusted aim based on distance – but permit the use of rifle scopes powered either by batteries or tritium-based lighting.

The task force suggested keeping Idaho’s present rules for primitive weapons permitted during the state’s muzzleloader-only seasons as well as the restrictions on optics outlined in the current archery guidelines. Additionally, the state presently prohibits any battery-operated devices connected to hunting bows.

Three more suggestions will be circulated for public feedback during the regulatory procedure. However, since these proposals didn't receive unanimous approval from the task force—each missing unity by a single vote—they were not part of the final agreement endorsed by the commission. The proposed guidelines pertain primarily to emerging technologies; they suggest banning thermal imaging equipment and night vision gear used for hunting, reconnaissance, and recovering large game animals between July 1st and December 31st. Additionally, HAT proposes limiting the use of transmission-enabled trail cameras within this timeframe. Commissioners at Fish and Game have the discretion to modify these specific periods as needed to align with established big-game hunting schedules.

The exemptions hold considerable interest akin to the prohibitions. Majority of the technological constraints pertain exclusively to hunting seasons for species such as deer, elk, moose, antelope, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats, excluding predator and black bear hunts. Furthermore, should they be implemented, rules against using aircrafts and drones would forbid these tools during both reconnaissance and hunting activities; however, their usage in tracking down harvested animals remains unaddressed.

Read Next: Survey: Idaho Big-Game Hunters Want to Prohibit Drones and Thermal Imaging but Wish to Retain Most Other Technologies

Nevertheless, the team explicitly prohibits using thermal and night-vision devices for game retrieval.

The public will have several chances to provide feedback on the Fish and Game Committee’s endorsement of the HAT recommendations. Please check the details for these opportunities. HAT Working Group website for notifications about chances alongside detailed suggestions and proposed wording.