Can wdfw fly drones?

Danger Will Robinson !!

will-robinson-robot.jpg
 
rotato said:
So we were out in area 13 fishing blackmouth when a drone flew over the fleet and seemed to hover over each boat. A bit later the wdfw boat just appeared like they do and began to pull a few boats over.
Timing was too coincidental

Anyways, has anyone observed this behavior?
Fishing was decent but I lost mine at the boat
Cheers
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Maybe it is Scones.
 
Mossback said:
The Prisoner was a cult fave from the late 60's, we used to watch it in the early mid 70's and get baked.
:)
It was a TV series, not long lasting.
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Only 6 or 7 episodes I think. Partick McGoohan as Number 6. I have it on VHS tape somewhere - they wanted information, but they didn't get it.

Cheers
 
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I asked because , like Will Rogers said, " Every man is ignorant, just on different subjects". And on this subject, I be igberent
 
Snopro said:
If an individual was working at the time I'd say not exempt. Do you have evidence suggesting otherwise?

From my experience, I feel like the Gov't agency's try to keep their staff properly credentialed. At least the one I worked for.
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Our drone operators were all licensed.
 
Not trying to be grumpy but it seems invasive to me
What stops them from flying a hundred drones at once flying over the fishing grounds?
 
rotato said:
It just feels invasive
One because I feel the I have rights to the air above me for some reason
Two the drone was unidentified

It’s a new world order I guess
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It should be legal to shoot anything out of the sky within shotgun range. People should be entitled to some personal space without invasion. Besides it would be fun to splat a drone like a clay bird.
 
rotato said:
It just feels invasive
One because I feel the I have rights to the air above me for some reason
Two the drone was unidentified

It’s a new world order I guess
Click to expand...
Late to the party, isn't it just using new technology for old school enforcement?

WDFW and other states' agencies have long employed stealth tactics; full camo, blinds, binos and spotting scopes, still and video cameras... to observe and gather evidence on violators. For several decades WSP has used aircraft to observe speeders on roads by using markers painted on the pavement and measuring their speed between the marks.

Is using remote controlled aircraft with cameras over state and federal forests or waterways to observe fish and game violators different?

*edit* This WDFW policy doc is 7 years old, and no telling if I just hadn't found an update
POL-7021 Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Monitor Wildlife, Fish, Other Natural Resources and/or Department Infrastructure

..."This policy does not anticipate nor address the use of UAS for law enforcement activities or Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) regulatory activities. The use of WA Department of Fish and Wildlife UAS for natural resource work addressed under this policy would not include law
enforcement surveillance, criminal detection, or other law enforcement work."


But now there is
www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org

New Support for Game Wardens on Washington’s Coastal Rivers — Wild Steelhead Coalition

Fishery Conservation Groups Join Forces to Provide Crucial Tools to WDFW Law Enforcement. Encouraged by the impact of our previous equipment donation, the Wild Steelhead Coalition reached out to our colleagues at the Wild Salmon Center and Wild Steelheaders United of Trout Unlimited and our friend
www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org

[The WSC and partners have] donated a new collection of equipment that includes a pair of small one-person rafts, multiple sets of waders and boots for game wardens, new oars for an existing drift boat, almost forty trail and security cameras, and a drone. Combined, the equipment has a retail value over $20,000 and gives WDFW Law Enforcement - especially with the drone - the ability to survey a much wider geographical area, and many more miles of river, than might otherwise be possible...
[We] know how much these boats, cameras, and drone will expand their reach and ability to protect wild steelhead and salmon when these key coastal fish populations need it most. Our earlier donation meant more poachers were caught and more fish were protected. We can’t wait to see the impacts of this larger set of tools during the coming years.”
 
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I have absolutely no problem with enhanced technology to apprehend violators.

If you've ever hiked, fished or hunted on a federal wildlife refuge you really appreciate the beneficial impact of improved enforcement of wildlife sustainability regulations, as well as far less litter and dirtbag visitor behavior.
 
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