Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Arizona? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. Arizona bans using drones to take wildlife, and to locate wildlife in a hunt unit from 48 hours before a big game season until it closes. What the rule says.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. Arizona bans using drones to take wildlife, and to locate wildlife in a hunt unit with an open big game season. The rule doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer. Here’s what it says.
What Arizona’s rule says
Arizona’s rule, “Use of Aircraft to Take or Locate Wildlife” (R12-4-319), says:
“A person shall not take, or assist in taking wildlife from or with the aid of aircraft, including drones.”
And, except in certain special-season units:
“a person shall not knowingly locate or assist in locating wildlife from or with the aid of an aircraft, including drones, in a hunt unit with an open big game season. This restriction begins 48 hours before the opening of a big game season in a hunt unit and extends until the close of the big game season for that hunt unit.”
Holders of special big game tags, and anyone helping them, also can’t use drones to locate wildlife within 48 hours before and during a special season.
The rule doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
Which animals does this cover?
Arizona’s rule covers all wildlife, and the locating ban applies in any unit with an open big game season. In Arizona, that includes elk, mule deer, Coues whitetail, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, black bear, and javelina.
How Arizona defines hunting
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 17-101) defines “take” as:
“pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring or netting wildlife or placing or using any net or other device or trap in a manner that may result in capturing or killing wildlife.”
Finding a pilot
Drone Deer Tracker is adding pilots in the West. Check the map for the closest pilot to your hunt. Are you a thermal drone pilot in Arizona? Apply to be listed.
Other states: see drone deer recovery laws by state.
Verify before you fly
Drone rules change, and how they apply can depend on your situation. Before any drone recovery, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-319. Rules can change, so check with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.