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I just read a tweet that a bill legalizing hunting feral hogs from hot air balloons is on its way to Governor's desk. Had no idea this was in the hopper.

Yep. Guess I need to start a new business.

However, before I let ANYBODY hunt from my balloon, I would require some background info and make them go through a safety course with me. Will be a VERY expensive proposition for someone.

Keith B wrote:Yep. Guess I need to start a new business.

However, before I let ANYBODY hunt from my balloon, I would require some background info and make them go through a safety course with me. Will be a VERY expensive proposition for someone.

What is the minimum Altitude you can fly and maintain flight in a ballon ( and a helicopter) above private land?

What is the minimum Altitude you can fly and maintain flight in a ballon ( and a helicopter) above private land?

I thought 500 AGL was a rule of thumb over sparsely inhabited areas.

WTR wrote:

Keith B wrote:Yep. Guess I need to start a new business.

However, before I let ANYBODY hunt from my balloon, I would require some background info and make them go through a safety course with me. Will be a VERY expensive proposition for someone.

What is the minimum Altitude you can fly and maintain flight in a ballon ( and a helicopter) above private land?[/quot

Legally it is the same as fixed wing; 1000 foot over congested, and 500 over sparsely populated. However, over areas where hogs would be hunted, the FAA never cares due to it being unpopulated.

And a helicopter is different rules. Their altitude minimums are listed as 'safe and reasonable'

Do you have to kill the sow to get a 'fetal' hog?

ScottDLS wrote:Do you have to kill the sow to get a 'fetal' hog?

I knew of Government hunters who hunted coyotes out of a helo up by San Angelo. They would slit open preg. females and count the unborn pups as kills..... They were paid by the head.

ScottDLS wrote:Do you have to kill the sow to get a 'fetal' hog?

Whoops! Ok ok, I was typing on my phone, which is always a hit-or-miss proposition.

ELB wrote:

ScottDLS wrote:Do you have to kill the sow to get a 'fetal' hog?

Whoops! Ok ok, I was typing on my phone, which is always a hit-or-miss proposition.

I was thinking it might be autocorrect. There are some really funny ones out there...

My Sister and BIL bought land up by Salado. There is a helicopter hog service close by. The last time they were at their property they found 15 carcasses . They don't mind the killing of hogs while the land is not stocked with cattle. However, no permission has been asked or granted and hogs are left to rot.

Wonder if they are talking about tethered balloons. Can't imagine doing this with free floating balloons. I don't think it is legal to shoot any animals while flying over private land without the landowners permission. What we need is discount night vision equipment or thermal equipment. Really big discount needed.

Ok is it currently illegal to hunt from a ballon?

suthdj wrote:Ok is it currently illegal to hunt from a ballon?

Yes. Not an FAA thing, but a Texas Parks and Wildlife restriction on hunting from aircraft unless authorized by the department.

I guess this is just something I never considered to be an issue. I guess it could be fun to hunt from a balloon, but retrieving any game would be a little inconvenient, I would think. Oh well, probably not something I will be rushing out to do anyway. But to each their own.