Kentucky Implements Statewide Ban on Drone Use in Hunting and Fishing

Kentucky has enacted a new regulation, 301 KAR 3:140, that prohibits the use of aircraft, including drones, for hunting, fishing, or harassing wildlife. This regulation defines "take" broadly to include actions such as pursuing, shooting, trapping, or otherwise capturing wildlife, and bans using drones to drive or herd animals for hunting purposes. The law aims to ensure fair, safe, and responsible outdoor recreation and provides guidance for enforcement by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife wardens. Exceptions to the ban include use by agency employees for safety, law enforcement, research, or management, authorized landowners for wildlife damage control, and commercial fishers targeting invasive species. The regulation applies statewide on both public and private lands. Officials emphasized that the law has been needed to address the growing use of drone technology in hunting and fishing and that enforcement officers will evaluate drone use on a case-by-case basis, such as for wildlife photography.