Drone hunters line up for Colo. town’s ‘license’

It’s September, Colorado bow hunting is underway, and rifle hunters are lining up for a hot new license: $25 to shoot down a government drone over the village of Deer Trail.

Supporters acknowledge the licenses would be only symbolic, and a town election authorizing them is more than a month away. Still, The Denver Post reported Thursday about 1,000 people have applied for one.

Residents of the tiny plains town an hour east of Denver are still split on the proposal.

The scheme is part protest against government surveillance and part promotion to get Deer Trail some attention. It’s working, at least on the second point. The federal government issued a warning against shooting at drones.

Phil Steel, who proposed the licenses, is selling novelty versions. Officials say he’s given part of the income to the town.