Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Massachusetts? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. Massachusetts bans hunting any bird or mammal by the aid of any aircraft, and defines hunting broadly, but its law doesn’t mention drones or recovery. What the law says.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. Massachusetts law bans hunting any bird or mammal by the aid or use of any aircraft, and it defines hunting broadly. The law doesn’t mention drones by name, and it doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer. Here’s what it says.
What Massachusetts law says
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, Section 65 (“Hunting from motor vehicle, snowmobile, aircraft or watercraft”):
“Except as otherwise provided by law, a person shall not hunt any bird or mammal by the aid or use of any motor vehicle, including a snowmobile, helicopter or other aircraft…”
The law doesn’t name drones, and it doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
Which animals does this cover?
Massachusetts’ law covers any bird or mammal. In Massachusetts, that includes deer, black bear, and wild turkey.
How Massachusetts defines hunting
Massachusetts law (Chapter 131, Section 1) defines “to hunt” as including:
“pursuing, shooting, killing and capturing mammals and birds and all lesser acts such as disturbing, harrying or worrying … whether or not such acts result in taking; and includes every attempt to take and every act of assistance to any other person in taking or attempting to take mammals and birds.”
Finding a pilot
Drone Deer Tracker is adding pilots in New England. Check the map for the closest pilot to your hunt. Are you a thermal drone pilot in Massachusetts? 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 MassWildlife (the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Sections 1 and 65. Rules can change, so check with MassWildlife before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.