The man who wrote an ordinance that would require the town of Deer Trail to issue hunting licenses for drones, has already sold more than 60 of his own licenses online.
"It's been slow getting the word out," the proposal's author Phil Steel said. "But the ball's rolling."
Most of the licenses — printed on translucent 8½ by 11 inch vellum paper with a spot for the signature of Deer Trail's mayor — have shipped out of state. One order came from Australia, he said.
Earlier this year, after reports about increased government surveillance via unmanned aircraft, Steel proposed an ordinance requiring the town to issue licenses for $25 per year to anyone who applies — so long as they read and understand English.
The drones would have to be flying less than 1,000 feet high over private property and shooting would only be allowed during daylight.
The town board split on the ordinance.
Now Deer Trail residents will have the final say on the ordinance in a special election set for Oct. 8.
But the issue won't go away, even if the ordinance fails, Steel says.
He has started Professional Drone Hunters Inc., envisioning the company as a vendor for governments issuing licenses — but he wants his home town of Deer Trail to be first.
"The town will have the choice of reinventing the wheel," Steel said Tuesday. "It's a question of not whether licenses are going to be sold, but a question of whether the town is willing to accept free money."
Steel said he is concerned about the FAA's work to integrate drones into American airspace, and the possibility of redefining navigable airspace to allow craft to fly lower.
Steel has never seen a drone flying near his property, but he intends the licenses to be more than just symbolic.
"My intent is to encourage people to shoot back," Steel said. "We've lost our patience."
The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that shooting at unmanned aircraft could be subject to criminal or civil liabilities and warned that it creates a danger to the public.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yeseniarobles
Comments
Not with acro flyers though.
Business Idea - Open up a Drone shooting range in Deer Park. Hire some hotshot acro flyers and charge the rednecks.....$$$
I have not read the details, but I did not see any details about size...
I do not know about you guys, but I would not dare to even try to shoot this down: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_RQ-4_Global_Hawk#Spec...
Not because of government prosecution, but because I would have to run quite quick to be able to escape that one falling out of the skies...
On the more serious side: This will most likely be stopped by government, as it will limit their use of UAV's in the area. They might need to do that one day for SAR, police or anything else.
Actually, the opposition to this is using the potential costs issue to help dissuade people from voting yes. For example, the cost of investigation, the cost of reward payout, and the potential cost in liability to the town. This is being put out their as an unfunded government mandate, which is unconstitutional, and will cost tax payers money while allowing a few elite to reap the rewards. I hope to be able to give more details regarding the backlash to this later this week, after speeking some more with Deer Creek residents in opposition to this.
As I live in Norway, I am not able to fly above this Phil Steel's property, but for those that live in the area: I suggest flying at 1050 feet on a regular basis if this vote goes thrugh.
This will enable him to target and hopefully shoot down one of the copters or planes.
We are able to document altitude and other data of our flights via telemetry. How should he be able to document how high/low a copter/plane is flying??
Next order of the day would be a lawyer. New copter, new APM, new radio stuff and he would be put in jail for shooting at flying stuff that is outside of his home made hunting licence/endangering public ect...
And if you do not want to spend any cash on this, build an FPV-48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d5QCwWgnAg). Then install the apm and radio vertically to lower the footprint. Maybe a sheet of steel underneth the autopilot, servos and motor to stop shotgun pellets?? (Energy at 1000 feet vertical is low).
I wanted to let everyone know I had the opportunity this weekend to speak briefly with someone from Deer Trail, CO who is in opposition to this, and I was told there is a group of people working to get the ballot issue nullified. I will have more details hopefully later this week.
This is yet another manifestation of the public hysteria surrounding the growing application of unmanned aircraft technology in our skies. The perception that this is a looming spectre is fed partly by the news media coverage of military drones over war zones and of recent whistle blower revelations of national security programs. Combine that with the obsessively suspicious mentality of a portion of the gun culture and the result is "drone hunting licenses." This is just the beginning. Brace yourselves.
it's not a good idea to fly over someone's property especially if he/she doesn't want you there
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