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H.R. 3663 -- The "Protect America’s Wildlife (PAW) Act" -- introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) would prohibit hunting on the same day that you fly in an aircraft other than a regularly scheduled commercial flight.

You can find the bill on http://thomas.loc.gov. I don't know how to provide a permanent link to it.

If adopted, it would modify 16 USC Sec. 742j-1(a) to read as follows:

Any person who -

(1) while airborne in an aircraft shoots or attempts to shoot for the purpose of capturing or killing any bird, fish, or other animal;

(2) uses an aircraft to harass any bird, fish, or other animal;

(3) shoots or attempts to shoot any bird, fish, or other animal before 3:00 a.m. following a day on which the person has traveled by aircraft other than on a regularly scheduled commercial aircraft;

(4) knowingly participates in using an aircraft for any purpose referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or

(5) knowingly violates any regulation issued under this Act;

shall be fined not more than $50,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

This bill was introduced in September 2007 and is in the Committee on Natural Resources. It has 111 cosponsors.

Here's the Congressman's version of the story: http://georgemiller.house.gov/news/2007 ... _life.html

I can't believe we didn't hear about this earlier.

- Jim

Though I've never shot a gun from an aircraft in flight and cannot for the life of me think of why one would want to do so, what is the point of this Bill and when is it coming up? There has to be some ulterior motive in the wording that covers something that isn't in the title of the Bill. This looks suspiciously like a stealth or Trojan Horse Bill. Any ideas?

locknload wrote:This looks suspiciously like a stealth or Trojan Horse Bill. Any ideas?

Actually, this is a safe hunting bill. They want to make sure that people are completely rested after a long day of flying before they go out the next day to hunt.

This is a bill to control some aspects of big game hunting. Some hunters will hire a pilot to fly around an area to spot some game, particularly big trophies, and then land and take the game. Putting a time limit between flying and hunting would allow the game to move to a different area. I believe that some states already prohibit this type of activity.

Edited: Alaska has the same restrictions as this bill.

WildBill wrote: I believe that some states already prohibit this type of activity.

This begs the question why not just ban hunting from aircraft?

John

KC5AV wrote:

WildBill wrote: I believe that some states already prohibit this type of activity.

This begs the question why not just ban hunting from aircraft?John

Some people think that spotting game from an airplane and then landing close by to shoot them is not sporting and should be outlawed as well.

Hunting from aircraft has been prohibited at the federal level for decades.

This bill would make it illegal to fly your private plane to your private property and hunt the same day (assuming you were in a position to do so). That may be an unintended consequence. We all know how those work.

- Jim

WildBill wrote:

KC5AV wrote:

WildBill wrote: I believe that some states already prohibit this type of activity.

This begs the question why not just ban hunting from aircraft?John

Some people think that spotting game from an airplane and then landing close by to shoot them is not sporting and should be outlawed as well.

That's fine, but it took me 2 seconds to think of a way around this law.

Hire an outfitter to fly around an area where you are. You got there by ATV, snowmobile, sled, whatever, anything but an airplane. The guy in the plane tells you via 2 way radio where the game is and the stalking begins.

frankie_the_yankee wrote:That's fine, but it took me 2 seconds to think of a way around this law.

They're already two steps ahead of you Frankie! At least in Alaska. They forbid the use of "communication equipment" in the taking of game, or to aid in the taking of game.

I don't hunt, but it seems one should locate the hunted via the ground. Just my uninformed opinion regarding it being sporting.

While hunting in South Texas near Freer I shot wild feral pigs from a helicopter. It was a hoot then, I'd do it today, and I see nothing wrong with it. Banning all hunting from aircraft is a stupid infringement.

The reasonable restrictions will get you every time.

Anygun

lawrnk wrote:I don't hunt, but it seems one should locate the hunted via the ground. Just my uninformed opinion regarding it being sporting.

Here's the problem: You don't like people hunting from aircraft. The next guy doesn't like hunting with semi-automatic rifles. The next wants you to use a shotgun. Then it's bows and arrows. Finally, there are people who want hunting to be a capital offense.

Where do you stop on the slippery slope?

- Jim

Trying to actively hunt anything from a light airplane is a good way to crash and die. There are more than a few plane crashes that occurred just that way. Both the shooter and the pilot were watching the coyote (or whatever) while the pilot flew into the ground.

LarryH wrote:Trying to actively hunt anything from a light airplane is a good way to crash and die. There are more than a few plane crashes that occurred just that way. Both the shooter and the pilot were watching the coyote (or whatever) while the pilot flew into the ground.

Why waste time on legislation. It sounds like a self correcting problem.