Eagle Takes Down Drone

by
posted on August 13, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Earlier this year, Field Editor Frank Miniter covered the expansion of the private drone market—and what it could mean for hunters—rather extensively. I'd encourage you to give his "First Light" on the subject a read. Many hunters, of course, have joked that they'd shoot any drones on their property out of the sky. PETA has allegedly used them for "spy" like purposes, after all.

Those hunters may have a friend in one very angry Australian eagle.

In a video that's been making its rounds on the web, a Wedge-tailed Eagle puts the hurt on the drone of a private citizen. The drone's operator was recording some otherwise uneventful, but scenic aerial video of the Melbourne woodlands when the bird of prey decided it was time to eliminate the new visitor to its territory.

Wild animals, obviously, are just as averse to flying cameras as people might be. It's part of why the National Parks Service banned drone use in U.S. parks back in 2014.

The skies aren't always friendly...

Latest

Shooting VX 6HD Lede
Shooting VX 6HD Lede

#SundayGunday: Leupold VX-6 HD Gen 2

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re talking optics—specifically riflescopes—from a company that has defined it’s longstanding American Made reputation by building some of the industry’s best: Leupold. Starting last year, the Oregon based manufacturer began revamping its optics lines, and great news for hunters, they started with the second generation of the incredibly versatile VX-6 HD line, culminating in the VX-6 HD Gen. 2.

Michigan Mayor Looks Down on Guns and Dogs

“If you’ve got a gun, you should be ashamed of yourself,” said Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand. NRA-ILA also noted that in his response to a police K-9 chasing down a suspect, LaGrand said: “It is time that we ask, ‘What are dogs good for?’ Like, if you need a dog to find someone in the woods, get a hound dog. If you need to chase somebody in a backyard, why couldn’t you do that with a drone? If my dog did what I saw in that video, I’d put my dog down.”

A 9-Year-Old Girl’s Effort to Make Hunting the Official Sport of Idaho

While reading her history textbook, Betty Grandy, a 9-year-old fourth-grade student from Twin Falls, Idaho, noticed that Idaho lacked an official state sport. So, she did what any 9-year-old fourth-grade student would do: She ran a poll in a neighborhood newspaper.

Tips to Improve Small Game Shooting & Big Game Accuracy

Sometimes switching from large game—like elk or deer—to hitting a moving squirrel with a .22 or .17 rimfire will tell on you in a hurry. Here are some tips to get your skills back up to snuff.

First Look: Muddy Expands DV8 Apparel and Accessory Line

Muddy Outdoors has expanded its men's hunting apparel and accessory line, DV8, to include several key items scheduled for release later in 2026.

Coyote Tactics: Stay Flexible

The successful hunters I know do not get hung up on one tactic. They constantly float between strategies in an ever-changing hunting environment. Quite simply, they’re flexible. I take that improvising nature to heart even for coyotes, particularly when they shun my calls for whatever reason. When that occurs, I continue the hunt, but modify my strategy to fit the scenario.  

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.