summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
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, 2027.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Wildlife Code to permit the use of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, for tracking wounded wild birds and mammals under specific conditions. These conditions include that the animal must have been wounded by a properly licensed hunter using a legal hunting device during an open season, the drone operator must have landowner permission to launch or land on their property, the operator cannot possess any hunting implements (unless lawfully carrying a concealed firearm not used for hunting), and the drone must be operated in a way that does not harass wildlife. An operator meeting these requirements is exempt from hunting permit requirements if they are not the person who wounded the animal. This change will take effect on July 1, 2027.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 01/14/2026)
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