Drone Operator Charged by Pennsylvania Game Commission in St…

An undercover operation by the Pennsylvania Game Commission has led to several charges filed against the owner of a drone deer recovery business.

The Game Commission filed four citations against Joshua Wingenroth of Downingtown for an incident that occurred Dec. 6 at the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve in Lancaster County.

Wingenroth was charged with two counts of unlawful devices and methods and one count each of disturbance of game and wildlife and restrictions on recreational spotlighting. The charges combined carry a maximum of $2,500 in fines and up to three months in jail.

According to citations filed by the Game Commission, Wingenroth operated an unmanned aircraft system, or drone, to locate game. Several reports indicate he was contacted by a hunter who claimed to have wounded a deer and asked Wingenroth to use the drone to locate the animal. Game Commission wardens arrived on the scene as Wingenroth was operating the drone, which was seized as evidence.

Also, according to citations, Wingenroth is alleged to have disturbed an antlered deer while operating the drone and used an artificial light from the drone to locate deer. The incident took place during the statewide firearms deer season when the use of spotlights are prohibited.

When contacted, Wingenroth referred questions to his attorney, who did not return a call seeking comment.

Wingenroth’s business, Wingy Drone Services, is listed on the Drone Deer Recovery website. Mike Yoder, who owns the Ohio-based Drone Deer Recovery, said Wingenroth isn’t associated with his business but lists his name on the website the same as other independent drone operators.

Still, Yoder said he is familiar with the incident and said the legality of using drones to recover a deer carcass is a “gray area” in several states, including Pennsylvania.

“They (PGC) set up a sting operation to get Josh,” Yoder said.

While using a drone to locate dead or wounded deer is legal in Ohio, other states, including Pennsylvania, prohibit the practice. According to Travis Lau, communications director for the Game Commission, the agency considers drones to be electronic devices, which are prohibited for hunting.

Wingenroth’s case is the first instance of the agency filing charges for use of a drone to locate game, Lau said.

Yoder said application of the law regarding drones for hunting or carcass recovery are inconsistent in several states, including Pennsylvania. There have been instances, he said, where one game warden will allow the use of a drone to recover game, while another warden will issue a citation.

“Each warden has discretion,” he said. “This is a tool that is truly helping hunters and it should be allowed in carcass recovery.

“It makes no sense that you tell a hunter to use all means necessary to recover a carcass, but not a drone.”

In the past, the Game Commission has approved exceptions to the law, making it legal for hunters to use types of electronic calls, decoys, scent dispensers and night vision optics for predators. As technology advances, Lau said, it’s always possible the Game Commission board could add other exceptions to the list.

Yoder said he has reached out to the Game Commission in the past and he remains willing to meet with the agency to discuss the drone issue. Demand from hunters for drones to assist in carcass recovery has grown tremendously in multiple states, Yoder added, including Pennsylvania.

As a result, he urged state wildlife agencies to address the issue and allow their use.

“Drones in the hunting space have gained so much traction, you can’t stick your head in the sand,” Yoder said. “It’s here to stay. Let’s talk.”

In regard to Wingenroth’s case, Yoder said it could provide clarity on the issue depending on how it plays out in court.

“Even if they say it’s illegal, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has to take a look at this technology that is truly helping hunters,” he said.