Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Montana? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. Montana bans using aircraft, including drones, to spot or locate game for hunting and to communicate its location as an aid to hunting, but doesn’t specifically mention recovery. What the law says.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. Montana bans using aircraft, including drones, to spot or locate game for hunting, or to tell someone where game is as an aid to hunting. The law doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer. Here’s what it says.
What Montana’s law says
Montana’s aircraft law, MCA 87-6-208, as summarized in Montana FWP’s Deer, Elk & Antelope regulations (which note it includes UAVs and drones), says a person may not:
- Kill, take, or shoot at any game animal from an aircraft.
- Use an aircraft to spot or locate any game animal for the purpose of hunting within 24 hours after using the aircraft.
- Use an aircraft to concentrate, pursue, drive, rally, or stir up a game animal.
- Use an aircraft to intentionally interfere with hunting, including flying in a way that disturbs or affects the behavior of a game animal.
- Land an aircraft on private property without written permission while pursuing a game animal.
- Spot or locate a game animal and communicate its location to any person as an aid to hunting, while using an aircraft or within 24 hours after.
The law doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
Which animals does this cover?
Montana’s law covers game animals. In Montana, that includes elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn (antelope), moose, black bear, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.
How Montana defines hunting
Montana law defines “hunt” as:
“to pursue, shoot, wound, take, harvest, kill, chase, lure, possess, or capture …” wildlife protected by state law.
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 Montana? 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 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against MCA 87-6-208 as published in Montana FWP’s Deer, Elk & Antelope regulations. Rules can change, so check with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.