This is something that was supposed to be addressed a few state house
sessions ago, but failed to get enough support.  Here is the general Rule
for all drone activities:

"The laws and regulations applicable to drone flights are almost entirely
federal.  The federal government “has exclusive sovereignty of airspace in the
United States”6 and the FAA sets all standards for flight safety,7 “preempting
the entire field from state and local regulation.”8 "
-
https://www.ohiobar.org/newsandpublications/ohiolawyer/pages/drones-and-the-law-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

However, there are rules on the books about hindering law enforcement, and
normal park activities, and such that if you were being a hindrance, you
would be "asked" or made to stop. Also flying a drone in a nesting site may
be seen as disturbing a nesting site. So there are no state regulations out
there that specifically say "Thou shalt not fly drones", but there are
plenty that say do not disturb (without permission).  SO before you fly,
register with the feds, and stop by the park office, or call the district
in charge of the area to get local rules.  I'm sure if you plan to buzz a
rookery, that you will need permission.

Here is a short video about registering drones in Ohio:
Drone Registration in Ohio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5xALqyULBg

And if you see someone buzzing migratory birds, CALL THE DISTRICT!!! They
can send someone to investigate. Let them make the decision...I have all my
locals on speed dial. :-D

Happy birding and God bless,

Steve J

On Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 12:01 PM, Canterbury, Ronald (canterrd) <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> To add to Bill's queries and comments, there is an article in the April
> 2017 issue of the Auk:
>
> The feasibility of counting songbirds using unmanned aerial vehicles
> Andrew M. Wilson, Janine Barr and Megan Zagorski
>
> - Ron
>
> Ronald A. Canterbury
> Associate Academic Director
> University of Cincinnati
> Department of Biological Sciences
> Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006
> Voice: 513.556.9570
> Mobile: 513.237.7791
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Ohio birds [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Bill Whan
> [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 11:49 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Regulation of drones
>
> I don't know how drones are regulated in Ohio, and seek some
> information. Are there statewide rules, and might they be applied in
> different areas for different purposes? One major concern involves
> public property--refuges, parks, etc. I would appreciate a way to learn
> more about how these devices may lawfully be used there, and how their
> impact on wild birds is recognized and regulated. For example, could a
> hunter--or an armed birdwatcher--be justified in shooting down a drone
> that's disturbing protected wild birds? Can jackasses dive-bomb duck
> flocks with drones just for kicks? More helpfully, might drones easily
> be used to more accurately census certain bird populations?
>         Seems to me this is not a major concern...yet...but it's not hard
> to
> envision some problems. Here on my expansive Columbus estate we have
> always shielded our nude bathing behind the bougainvillea hedges and
> palm trees; while neither we nor peepers have seen any rare waders
> drone intrusion is obvious.
>         Seriously, it is worth looking at the impact drones might have on
> bird
> populations--such as migrant waterfowl--even though they allow us to
> more accurately assess their overall numbers. How are raptor numbers
> affected as well? Drone counts are very handy, but can be sloppy; even
> raptors might be spooked by drones!  I imagine the effect of drones on
> bird presences has been studied, and I'd like to see results. Why
> wouldn't censuses from satellites be more helpful? Who's going to inform
> us about these devices?
>         Just a few half-baked notions as food for thought, and an
> invitation
> for more,
> Bill Whan
>
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