12/15/2025
We'll have a whole lot more on this in the next issue of LSON, out Friday, Dec. 26.
Update (12/9): The Federal Airborne Hunting Act falls under the administration of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the federal level. There has not been a new regulation enacted or any changes made at the state level. Our intent with publicizing this information and updating the Texas Outdoor Annual was to inform the public of the federal statute (AHA/50 CFR Β§ 19.11). If someone chooses to use an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, to deploy bait while bank or surf fishing, it is a federal, not state level violation, and no state charges would be incurred. However, we do not condone or authorize violating federal law.
Questions or concerns regarding the AHA and what is considered legal or a violation should be directed to the USFWS at 281-876-1520.
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Due to technological advancements with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has noticed an increase in questions connected to their use in relation to fishing and wildlife. Some of the most frequent questions have been about the legality of using drones for deploying bait by surf or bank fisherman.
To address this, TPWD staff reviewed the Federal Airborne Hunting Act, and also sought guidance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The result of that analysis and discussion is the determination that AHA prohibits the use of aircraft, which includes UAS or drones, to take or attempt to take wildlife, or aid in the act of fishing.
More information β‘οΈ tx.ag/UASfishing