Bill > HB2423

This bill, known as the Kansas wounded deer recovery act, allows hunters who are federally licensed drone operators (meaning they have a license from the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, to operate drones) to use drones to find wounded or recently deceased deer, provided they have the necessary hunting licenses and permits, and have legally struck a deer during the open hunting season. Before launching or landing a drone on someone's property, the hunter must get permission from the landowner or their representative, and the use of drones is specifically excluded from the definition of "take," which generally refers to the act of hunting or capturing wildlife. The bill also prohibits using drones to harass any wildlife and prevents hunters from pursuing wildlife that has been harassed by a drone. Additionally, it amends an existing law (K.S.A. 32-1003) to explicitly allow this drone use for deer recovery and repeals the old version of that law.

Government Affairs

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2423/