Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Colorado? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. Colorado bans using a drone to look for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in hunting, but doesn’t specifically mention recovery. What the rule says and the leashed-dog tracking permit.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. Colorado bans using a drone to look for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in hunting. The rule doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer or elk. Here’s what it says.
What Colorado’s rule says
From Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Chapter W-0 regulations (approved March 2026):
“It shall be unlawful to use a drone to look for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in the hunting or taking of wildlife.”
Colorado defines a drone broadly, as any unmanned or remotely guided device designed for flight.
The rule doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
Which animals does this cover?
Colorado’s rule covers all wildlife. In Colorado, that includes elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn (antelope), moose, black bear, and bighorn sheep. Its dog-tracking permit covers wounded big game except black bears.
How Colorado defines hunting
Colorado law (C.R.S. 33-1-102) defines “hunt” as:
“to pursue, attract, stalk, lie in wait for, or attempt to shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or take wildlife.”
What you can do instead
A leashed dog, with a tracking permit. Per the same regulations, a leashed dog may be used to help locate and recover wounded big game (except black bears) with an annual tracking permit ($40) from any CPW office. Before using it, the handler must notify CPW with the handler’s and hunter’s names, the hunter’s CID number, the location, the species, and the time. Within five business days, the handler must report whether the animal was recovered. Dogs may only be used during legal big game hunting hours.
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 Colorado? 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 Colorado Parks and Wildlife to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against Colorado Parks and Wildlife Chapter W-0 regulations (approved March 2026). Rules can change, so check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.