# Found drone question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246 "2019-08-26T03:19:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/1 "2019-08-26T03:19:09Z")
I found a drone in my yard the other day. Any idea on how I could return it? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/2 "2019-08-26T06:43:18Z")
You could carry it with a bigger drone. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/3 "2019-08-26T07:16:43Z")
Does it have a video camera? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/4 "2019-08-26T11:42:56Z")
If it’s [one of these](https://www.google.com/search?q=images+of+drones&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjO-_z1uaDkAhULjlkKHUluAAsQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=1920&bih=937), take photos and hang them around the neighborhood asking if anybody lost it. If it’s [one of these](https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+military+drone+aircraft&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=yirIenzMKNVXSM%253A%252CfnNipBY2s8e4JM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTJSXpheoxPvCXvCOWB5nR6cFKJqw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDvbLOuaDkAhVNrlkKHc3nBCAQ9QEwAHoECAIQBg#imgrc=_&vet=1), take photos and hang them around the neighborhood claiming to have shot it down over your sovereign territory. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/5 "2019-08-26T13:19:35Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Does it have a video camera? Yes it does. I’m not sure how to access it. ---
**Author:** ![Acierocolotl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acierocolotl/32/6241_2.png) [@Acierocolotl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acierocolotl)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/6 "2019-08-26T13:24:14Z")
The drone may have an SD card of some sort you could remove and examine. If the owner was recording as they flew, you might be able to reconstruct their flight path. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/7 "2019-08-26T13:53:25Z")
My drone is licensed/registered with the FAA. Maybe contact the FAA with the drone’s serial number? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/8 "2019-08-26T14:01:56Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I found a drone in my yard the other day. Any idea on how I could return it? I hope you didn’t touch it! I’ve heard that once you do that their mothers don’t allow them back into the nests. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/9 "2019-08-26T14:18:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My drone is licensed/registered with the FAA. Maybe contact the FAA with the drone’s serial number? Every drone is supposed to be registered with the FAA and have the registration number written on the outside somewhere. It wouldn’t be surprising however if the drone’s owner failed to do this. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/10 "2019-08-26T15:01:46Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I hope you didn’t touch it! I’ve heard that once you do that their mothers don’t allow them back into the nests. And if you decide to keep it, DO NOT derotor it. It’s a drone’s only defense when outside. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/11 "2019-08-26T15:12:55Z")
I would post on nextdoor or my local area subreddit. These are social sites that are more geographically specific than say, facebook. I may or may not withhold descriptive details and make anyone claiming ownership describe the drone. ---
**Author:** ![FastDan1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fastdan1/32/427_2.png) [@FastDan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FastDan1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/12 "2019-08-26T15:16:22Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > And if you decide to keep it, DO NOT derotor it. It’s a drone’s only defense when outside. It’s much safer to keep them inside. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/13 "2019-08-26T15:23:25Z")
Rick-Roll that SD card. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/14 "2019-08-26T15:40:32Z")
Once you access the SD card, add some additional aerial footage from the internet - say, Mt. Rushmore, the Sydney Opera House, the Kremlin, Big Ben, etc. Make the owner wonder how far off course that thing actually flew… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/15 "2019-08-26T15:43:50Z")
> [@FastDan1](#): > > It’s much safer to keep them inside. Much like a bird, a drone will try to fly through a window. A drone is much happier outside and is safe as long as it stays above your yard. Even if it meets other drones, it’s not a worry. Drones only need fixing if they break. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/16 "2019-08-26T15:48:52Z")
> [@FastDan1](#): > > It’s much safer to keep them inside. You definitely don’t want a drone inside. Once they start talking they just go on, and on, and on… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/17 "2019-08-26T19:22:24Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > And if you decide to keep it, DO NOT derotor it. It’s a drone’s only defense when outside. That’s right–if you feel that you _must_ derotor your drone, it is your responsibility to ensure that they don’t encounter Enrique Iglesias. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/18 "2019-08-27T00:54:52Z")
If it looks like this: [https://www.google.com/search?q=iranian+drone&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjA0bX56qHkAhWOct8KHQ1mDAsQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=iranian+drone&gs\_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.1.0.0l5.29233.33104..34195...0.0..0.93.889.12......0....1.........0i13j0i7i30j0i8i7i10i30j0i67j0i10.6T-pMPMrOVg&ei=wn5kXcDoBo7l\_QaNzLFY&bih=551&biw=375&prmd=sniv&rlz=1CDGOYI\_enUS818US818&safe=off&hl=en-US#imgrc=\_byjujrxmfn8DM&imgdii=9RwTgeIk5Erh8M](https://www.google.com/search?q=iranian+drone&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjA0bX56qHkAhWOct8KHQ1mDAsQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=iranian+drone&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.1.0.0l5.29233.33104..34195...0.0..0.93.889.12......0....1.........0i13j0i7i30j0i8i7i10i30j0i67j0i10.6T-pMPMrOVg&ei=wn5kXcDoBo7l_QaNzLFY&bih=551&biw=375&prmd=sniv&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS818US818&safe=off&hl=en-US#imgrc=_byjujrxmfn8DM&imgdii=9RwTgeIk5Erh8M). Move. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/19 "2019-08-27T01:36:21Z")
If a drone ended up in my yard, I would put it through the wood-chipper. Twice. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246/20 "2019-08-27T01:46:21Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > If it looks like this: [https://www.google.com/search?q=iranian+drone&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjA0bX56qHkAhWOct8KHQ1mDAsQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=iranian+drone&gs\_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.1.0.0l5.29233.33104..34195...0.0..0.93.889.12......0....1.........0i13j0i7i30j0i8i7i10i30j0i67j0i10.6T-pMPMrOVg&ei=wn5kXcDoBo7l\_QaNzLFY&bih=551&biw=375&prmd=sniv&rlz=1CDGOYI\_enUS818US818&safe=off&hl=en-US#imgrc=\_byjujrxmfn8DM&imgdii=9RwTgeIk5Erh8M](https://www.google.com/search?q=iranian+drone&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjA0bX56qHkAhWOct8KHQ1mDAsQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=iranian+drone&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.1.0.0l5.29233.33104..34195...0.0..0.93.889.12......0....1.........0i13j0i7i30j0i8i7i10i30j0i67j0i10.6T-pMPMrOVg&ei=wn5kXcDoBo7l_QaNzLFY&bih=551&biw=375&prmd=sniv&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS818US818&safe=off&hl=en-US#imgrc=_byjujrxmfn8DM&imgdii=9RwTgeIk5Erh8M). Move. [Jedi hand gesture] These is not the drones you’re looking for [/Jhg] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-drone-question/839246.md?page=2)