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Drone Rules for Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

Jackson County, Mississippi (MS) • United States
Mississippi Sandhill Crane Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi, USA
Lat: 30.4586 • Lng: -88.7542
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR. The refuge exists solely to protect the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (fewer than 120 individuals) from human disturbance.

Drone Rules - Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, Mississippi

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 and ESA Section 9 for Mississippi sandhill crane (endangered).

Airspace / Site Context

  • Fewer than 120 Mississippi sandhill cranes exist; each individual bird is banded and tracked -- any drone encounter is documented as a disturbance incident
  • Gulfport-Biloxi International (GPT) Class C is ~10 NM south; Biloxi Regional Approach Control monitors the area
  • Pine savanna habitat is actively managed with prescribed fire; fire management aircraft create periodic TFRs

Key Rules

  • LAANC required near GPT Class C for any flight within ~15 NM of the refuge (southern boundary)
  • Crane nest monitoring season (February-June): 1-mile no-fly buffer around all occupied territories (USFWS policy)
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; all research involving this species requires USFWS Southeast Region Crane Recovery Coordinator approval

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