The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said drones count as “aircraft,” and federal regulations enacted in the ’50s prevent fishing using aircraft.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is clarifying rules about fisherman using drones to deploy bait.
The department said it noticed an increase in questions about the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, in relation to fishing and wildlife. Some of the most frequent questions were about whether it’s legal for surf or bank fisherman to use drones to deploy bait.
TPWD staff reviewed Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 19.11, or the Federal Airborne Hunting Act (AHA), which was first enacted in 1956. They also sought guidance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement.
TPWD found those regulations prohibit the use of aircraft, including UAS or drones, to “take or attempt to take wildlife, or aid in the act of fishing.”
TPWD said the regulations also prohibit the department from issuing permits to allow drone use for the purpose of “sport hunting,” including recreational or sport fishing.