Game spotting seminar comes to H.A. Clark Memorial Field

There was a diverse crowd that comprised of pilots, non-pilots, hunters and non-hunters who attended a Federal Aviation Administration a (FAA) flight safety seminar on Sept. 9, at H. A. Clark Memorial Field Airport terminal.

Marty Merryman welcomed the guests and explained the purpose of this informational meeting.

Merryman is member of Williams Air Adventure, one of the groups that sponsored the seminar. Williams Air Adventure, housed at Williams airport provides fuel concessions and serves as fixed based operator, which includes flight training and airplane maintenance.

The goal of the seminar was to cover what the state and federal regulations are regarding wildlife spotting and game harassment from aircraft. Merryman also covered information about the FAA Wings Program for pilots.

Dave Hunt, chief pilot for Arizona Game and Fish, was the featured speaker. Hunt explained what constitutes game harassment. Flying over herds of wildlife, at any altitude, and causing them to run is considered game harassment.

If you are flying and game run, but you continue to fly onto your destination, it is not considered harassment. But if you continue to circle the game to make them run — this is considered harassment.

A hunter cannot spot game from the air within 48 hours of a hunt. For example, if it is archery season and you have a rifle tag, you cannot spot game during the archery season. You have to wait until that season is closed. Some of the pitfalls of spotting game are that you have to research and make sure that there is no hunting season open.

Ranchers had questions about using aircraft to spot cattle. Hunt advised them that this would not be considered harassment so long as you do not pursue any game.

The FAA regulations specify that if you hire someone to fly you for game spotting, the pilot of the aircraft must have the proper FAA certificates and be approved to do charter flights (Part 135 operation). If the pilot is not a commercial pilot and does not have the proper permits (Part 135), the pilot's insurance would not pay any claims if there were an accident.

Some of the accidents that have occurred from low flying aircraft have been electric wire strikes, stall-spin situations and the pilot being unable to get the aircraft to climb fast enough to clear rising terrain.

If you are charged with a violation under the federal statues, the maximum fine can be up to $100,000, one year in jail and confiscation of the aircraft. If you are spotting game as a commercial entity, the fine is doubled. The state statues are less severe, but still involve aircraft confiscation, jail time and a fine.

If individuals want to report that an aircraft is flying and harassing game, they need to contact their local Arizona Game and Fish office with the aircraft number, time, date and place that this occurred.

FAA personnel from the Las Vegas Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and the Scottsdale (FSDO) were represented along with a representative from the National Weather Service.

The seminar adjourned and attendees enjoyed a barbecue cookout sponsored by Williams Air Adventure, Tyrrell-Marxen Chev-rolet and Northland Beverage Distributor.

For further information about game spotting, contact your local office of the Arizona Game and Fish.

(La Rita Merryman of Williams is a private pilot, a flight safety counselor and is involved in Williams Air Adventure.)