summary
Introduced
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that tracking wounded wild birds or wounded wild mammals by use of unmanned aircraft is permissible under certain conditions, including that: (1) the wild bird or wild mammal is wounded when a properly licensed hunter has struck the animal with a projectile fired from a legal hunting device during the open season; (2) any person operating the unmanned aircraft has obtained permission from the public or private landowner, or the landowner's authorized representative, before launching or landing the unmanned aircraft from or on the landowner's property; (3) the person operating the unmanned aircraft does not possess or control a firearm, bow, or other implement whereby wildlife could be killed or taken while afield, whether acting singly or as a group of persons while the unmanned aircraft is in flight, except this prohibition does not apply to a person lawfully carrying a concealed firearm under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act if the concealed firearm is not used to take wildlife; and (4) the unmanned aircraft is operated in a manner that does not harass any wildlife. Exempts an operator of an unmanned aircraft that meets these conditions from hunting permit requirements if the operator is not the taker of the wounded animal. Effective July 1, 2025.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Wildlife Code to permit the use of unmanned aircraft (UAVs or drones) to track wounded wild birds or mammals under specific conditions. These conditions include: (1) the animal must be wounded by a properly licensed hunter during an open hunting season, (2) the UAV operator must obtain permission from the landowner before launching or landing on their property, (3) the UAV operator cannot possess or control any hunting weapon while the aircraft is in flight (with an exception for legally concealed firearms), and (4) the UAV must be operated in a way that does not harass wildlife. The bill specifically exempts UAV operators from hunting permit requirements if they are not the hunter who originally wounded the animal. This new provision aims to help hunters locate and recover wounded game more effectively while establishing clear guidelines for the responsible use of unmanned aircraft in hunting scenarios. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (on 03/21/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1462&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB1462.htm |
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