[Balgair]

I agree, birdshot is very unlikely to harm anyone. All missed shot are unlikely to harm, in fact. Larger things like buckshot would be more likely to harm others, though still it's very low. Actual bullets like 45, 223, 22, or 9mm, accounting for ~50% (1/2) of most sold calibers in the US in 2015 [0], will do some real damage. Shotgun gauges only account for ~12% (1/8) of the calibers sold.

All said, it is still MUCH safer to not shoot at a drone at all. Let the local police take cafe of it.

Heck, get a super-soaker or something kind of water-ballon slingshot, if you must.

[0] http://knowledgeglue.com/what-are-the-most-popular-calibers-...