Really not much of an encounter but I wanted to share. I was flying at a park that I normally fly at. Its a long park next to a small river (creek). It has a walking path around it that goes for miles. It also has about 10 5 story work buildings next to it as well as houses that flank the opposite side. I'll post a photo. So I just got done flying over the park area, making a video on waypoints. I'm around 50% battery so I figure I'll fly and follow the river to get some personal flying time in. I'm at 175' and following the river for about 1/4 mile. I come back and as I'm coming down, a man is walking up to me with 2 dogs. Here is the conversation:
Me: Hello!
Him: Would you please not fly over the deer, you are spooking them.
Me: I was at 200 feet.
Him: I saw where you were.
Me: I did not see any deer.
Him: You were spooking them.
At this point I figure he's just giving me a hard time about flying, period. While there are deer in the area, it's a populated location with 5 story office buildings on one side and house on another. It's flanked on all sides by busy roads. I'm _sure_ the deer could care less about my drone. I don't take the high road... which I should have.
Me: Where are the deer.
Him: (he turns away a little in disgust). Just don't fly near them
Me: How can I not fly near them if I don't know where they are?
Me: If you won't tell me where they are, I don't think I'm going to be able to avoid them.
Him: He walks away.
Me: have a good day.
Him: You too.
Here is a photo of that particular run:
Here is a photo of the surrounding area:
To the right is a small river/creek and some woodlands that are about 800m wide or so. Past that are some more office buildings. I just don't see deer in this area getting "spooked".
It's the following day and I'm just finishing this post. At this time I really wish I would have responded better. I should have said something like, "I'll do my best" or "I'll fly higher as not to cause an issue". I think I was a little predisposed to be offended and a little on the defense. There was simply no reason not to just say something to appease this person and then just do what ever.
Me: Hello!
Him: Would you please not fly over the deer, you are spooking them.
Me: I was at 200 feet.
Him: I saw where you were.
Me: I did not see any deer.
Him: You were spooking them.
At this point I figure he's just giving me a hard time about flying, period. While there are deer in the area, it's a populated location with 5 story office buildings on one side and house on another. It's flanked on all sides by busy roads. I'm _sure_ the deer could care less about my drone. I don't take the high road... which I should have.
Me: Where are the deer.
Him: (he turns away a little in disgust). Just don't fly near them
Me: How can I not fly near them if I don't know where they are?
Me: If you won't tell me where they are, I don't think I'm going to be able to avoid them.
Him: He walks away.
Me: have a good day.
Him: You too.
Here is a photo of that particular run:
Here is a photo of the surrounding area:
To the right is a small river/creek and some woodlands that are about 800m wide or so. Past that are some more office buildings. I just don't see deer in this area getting "spooked".
It's the following day and I'm just finishing this post. At this time I really wish I would have responded better. I should have said something like, "I'll do my best" or "I'll fly higher as not to cause an issue". I think I was a little predisposed to be offended and a little on the defense. There was simply no reason not to just say something to appease this person and then just do what ever.
