Why It Matters: Drone technologies present an opportunity for lawful hunters to minimize harvest loss and increase recovery rates. Recognizing this, states like Iowa and South Dakota have introduced legislation to allow the use of drones to recover mortally wounded game, which the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been active in supporting.
Highlights:
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation submitted written testimony in Iowa and South Dakota in support of legislative efforts to allow the use of drones in game recovery.
- Iowa House File 2112 (HF 2112) would allow hunters who had mortally wounded a deer to use a drone to track and locate the wounded deer so they can recover it.
- South Dakota Senate Bill 201 (SB 201) would allow the use of a drone to recover deer and elk if the hunter reasonably believes that the animal cannot be located by commonly used methods.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has been active in supporting legislation in Iowa and South Dakota that would allow hunters to use drones in game recovery. The use of drones in game recovery helps hunters fulfill their ethical obligation to successfully recover and fully utilize their harvested animal.
Iowa House File 2112, which would allow for the use of drones to recover mortally wounded deer, was introduced and referred to the House Natural Resource Committee. CSF submitted written testimony in support of the bill to the Natural Resources Subcommittee, highlighting the proven effectiveness in locating wounded animals and explaining that, when used in combination with other recovery methods, drones can increase recovery rates. The Subcommittee recommended the passage of HF 2112, which will be scheduled to be heard in front of the whole Committee.
South Dakota Senate Bill 201 is like Iowa’s bill, except that the use of drones would be allowed to recover both mortally wounded deer and elk. SB 201 was heard in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where CSF submitted written testimony in support of the bill. CSF again highlighted how drones can minimize harvest loss and increase the overall success rate of recovering a deer or elk.
Iowa HF 2112 and South Dakota SB 201 both clarified that the use of drones cannot be for the purpose of hunting, locating, or tracking game. This clear distinction between drone-assisted recovery after the hunter has attempted to take an animal, rather than drone-aided hunting, upholds the principle of fair chase by ensuring hunters do not gain an unfair advantage over game. CSF will continue to support the passage of legislation that ensures hunters have improved capabilities to successfully recover lawfully hunted game.
