Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Louisiana? (2026-27 Rules)
Yes. New for 2026-27, Louisiana allows a thermal drone to recover a mortally wounded deer or bear on private land, outside hunting hours. All the conditions, from the LDWF rule.
2026-11-03
Yes. New for the 2026-27 season, Louisiana allows a drone to recover a deer or bear that’s reasonably believed to be mortally wounded. The rule is detailed, so here’s what it says.
What Louisiana’s rule says
From the 2026-27 Louisiana deer hunting regulations:
“An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) may be used for the recovery of a deer or bear, reasonably believed to be mortally wounded by a licensed hunter utilizing legal hunting methods…”
When you can use a drone
All of these have to be true:
- Tracking failed first. It can be reasonably concluded the deer is mortally wounded and can’t be found after traditional tracking.
- No weapons. The drone pilot and hunter can’t have a firearm or weapon that could be used to hunt deer or bear.
- Outside legal hunting hours only. A drone may never be used during legal hunting hours.
- Private land with permission. Drones may only be used over private property that the hunter and pilot have permission to be on.
Tip: since the drone can only fly over private land you and the pilot have permission to be on, line up permission for the land the pilot will search, not just your hunting spot.
Drone requirements
- FAA-registered.
- Thermal imaging, plus a light strong enough to see whether the deer is alive, mortally wounded, or dead. The light may only be used to check the animal’s status.
- No calls or noise makers that could scare or lure deer.
- No mounted weapon or netting system.
Pilot rules
- The pilot must have an FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) Certificate.
- The drone may never be used to hunt, harass, chase, drive, flush, attract, pursue, or follow deer or other wildlife during a recovery.
- If it’s not clear the deer is mortally wounded, the pilot may not tell the hunter where it is, and the search must end immediately. Helping locate a deer that’s alive, or not reasonably believed to be mortally wounded, counts as hunting and is illegal.
- If the deer is dead or mortally wounded, the pilot may give the hunter its location or coordinates.
- The pilot is responsible for property access and for following all federal and state drone laws.
Which animals does this cover?
Louisiana’s rule names deer and bear. It doesn’t cover other animals.
Finding a pilot
Drone Deer Tracker is adding pilots in Louisiana. Check the map for the closest pilot to your hunt. For tips on what to tell the pilot, see how to find a drone deer recovery pilot fast.
Are you a thermal drone pilot in Louisiana? Apply to be listed so hunters near you can find and call you.
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 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against the 2026-27 Louisiana Hunting & WMA Regulations (Use of Drones for the Recovery of Wounded Deer or Bear). Rules can change, so check with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.