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Lawmakers weigh bill to ban drone use while hunting and extend aircraft-scouting wait period; pilots and outfitters clash
Summary
House Bill 202 would ban possession of drones while hunting and extend the waiting period between aerial scouting and hunting to 24 hours. Hunting groups backed tighter rules; pilots and outfitters warned of enforcement problems and impacts on livelihoods. The sponsor offered draft amendments to narrow scope.
House Bill 202 would extend the post‑scouting waiting period to 24 hours and ban possession of drones while hunting or attempting to hunt. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Courtney Sprunger, presented draft amendments intended to narrow the measure’s scope to avoid unintended impacts on pilots and agricultural users.
Why it matters: The bill aims to protect fair-chase hunting traditions by reducing technological advantages from aircraft and drones. Opponents said the bill’s wording as drafted would unintentionally prohibit routine travel by private‑plane pilots and could materially harm commercial guides, ranchers and outfitting operations.
Sponsor’s proposal and amendments
- Sprunger said the amendments would clarify the scope by specifying “locate or spot any game bird, game animal or fur‑bearing animal” and by carving out a narrow exception for flights “supporting an agricultural operation.” She handed out a draft amendment to address pilot and agriculture concerns.
Support and opposition
- Proponents included the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Montana Outfitters and Guides, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Montana Wildlife Federation. They said aircraft and drones increasingly erode fair-chase hunting and that stronger penalties and a 24-hour wait would deter unethical behavior.
- Opponents included small charter and ranch pilots, the Montana Pilots Association and individual outfitters and ranchers who said the bill’s 24-hour waiting period would disrupt legitimate travel and guide operations. The Montana Pilots Association said the proposed language would treat ordinary transportation as scouting; pilots urged a narrow amendment or “same-day” standard instead of 24 hours.
Enforcement and practicality
- Phil Kilbreth, a Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden captain, provided informational testimony and told the committee enforcement is difficult under any standard; he said a 24-hour rule “adds an additional element and is a bit harder to enforce.”
- Committee members debated whether same-day or 24-hour restrictions are more enforceable and asked whether technology such as ADS-B could be used to track aircraft movements for enforcement.
Committee process
The sponsor said she was open to work with pilots and other stakeholders and offered the draft amendments as a starting point. The hearing closed without a final committee vote in the transcript excerpt provided.
Ending
The bill drew strong support from hunting organizations and strong opposition from pilots and some ranching and guide interests. Lawmakers signaled they will seek narrower language to avoid unintended consequences, balancing fair-chase protection against legitimate aviation and agricultural uses.
