NEW YORK — Recently, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has received inquiries about the potential use of unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs or drones, to assist with the recovery of hunter-harvested deer or bear. However, ground tracking and recovery of a deer or bear are part of the hunt. New York laws do not allow drones to be used in this way.

Drones are defined and regulated as aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aircraft may not be used to aid deer or bear hunters. This applies to both hobby and recreational drone pilots and drone pilots flying under FAA commercial regulations.

Confusion comes because the same section of law that prohibits use of aircraft also prohibits use of dogs to aid in hunting deer or bear.  However, a separate section of law authorizes DEC to regulate and license the use of leashed tracking dogs specifically to aid in the recovery of deer and bear.  The law does not make a similar provision for aircraft, including drones. DEC cannot regulate or license the use of drones without authorizing statute.

Hunters seeking assistance to locate dead or wounded deer or bear may contact volunteer, licensed, leashed-tracking dog handlers at:

– Deer Search, Inc. serving hunters in central and eastern New York: https://deersearch.org.

– Deer Search FLC, Inc. serving hunters in the Finger Lakes Region: https://www.deersearchflc.com.

– Deer Search of WNY, Inc. serving hunters in Western New York: https://www.deersearchwny.org.