Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Mississippi? (2026 Rules)
Mississippi has no rule that specifically allows or bans drone deer recovery. Its night-tracking rule allows “reasonable means,” naming lights and dogs. What the rules say.
2026-11-03
Mississippi doesn’t have a rule that specifically allows or bans drone deer recovery. Its rule for tracking a wounded deer at night allows “reasonable means,” and names lights and tracking dogs, but doesn’t mention drones. Here’s what it says.
What Mississippi’s rules say
From the MDWFP’s white-tailed deer regulations, under Tracking and/or Retrieval of Wounded Deer after Legal Hunting Hours:
“It shall be lawful for any licensed or exempt hunter or tracker to track or pursue a deer that was legally shot and wounded during legal hunting hours, into the night after legal hunting hours, and to dispatch the deer if the deer is found alive.”
“A licensed or exempt hunter or tracker tracking or pursuing a wounded deer into the nighttime hours may use reasonable means to assist the pursuit, including, but not limited to lights, and blood-trailing/tracking dogs.”
The rule doesn’t mention drones.
Other details from the same rule:
- No more than two blood-trailing or tracking dogs.
- If the deer is found alive, it may be finished with a handgun with a barrel no longer than 6 inches, no larger than .45 caliber.
Which animals does this cover?
Mississippi’s night-tracking rule covers wounded deer.
Before you fly
Because Mississippi’s rules don’t mention drones, check with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) before a drone recovery. Pilots who charge for a search need an FAA Part 107 certificate. If Mississippi adopts a drone recovery rule, we’ll update this article.
Finding a pilot
Drone Deer Tracker is adding pilots in Mississippi. Check the map for the closest pilot to your hunt, including nearby Louisiana and Tennessee, where drone recovery is allowed. Are you a thermal drone pilot in Mississippi? 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 MDWFP to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against the MDWFP white-tailed deer regulations. Rules can change, so check with the MDWFP before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.