Senate says no to drone hunting

Michigan legislators have shot down efforts to use drones in hunting.

The state Senate last week passed legislation that would not only ban hunters from using drones to track game but ban other groups from using drones to track hunters.

The bills passed unanimously with state Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township, voting yes on each.

Banning hunting by drone has been a key priority of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs since last summer.

"It isn't a big issue right now, but it is something we wanted to get ahead of," MUCC spokesman Drew Youngedyke said.

The unfair advantage drones could provide in tracking game "could give all hunters a black eye," Youngedyke said.

The bill has now passed to the state House Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. A full House vote could come as soon as this week.

The Senate bill would ban drone use in hunting any game, but penalties would vary by type of game. Hunters would face jail time of five days to one year. Fines would also vary from $200 to $5,000, with the maximum involving moose hunting.

Banning drone use for hunting is generally supported by both hunting and animal rights groups.

The animal rights group PETA, however, has encouraged the use of drones to track illegal activities by hunters.

Alaska, Montana and Colorado have already enacted bans on hunting by drone.

Bans are also being considered in Illinois and Oregon with other states likely to follow.

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Wayne Peal at 517-548-7081 or at wpeal@gannett.com.