Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in New Hampshire? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. New Hampshire bans using a drone to locate, surveil, or help take wildlife, but the rule doesn’t specifically mention recovery. What it says and the licensed tracking-dog option.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. New Hampshire bans using a drone to locate, surveil, or help take wildlife. The rule doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer. Here’s what it says.
What New Hampshire’s rule says
The New Hampshire hunting regulations list it as unlawful to:
“Use an unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a drone, to attempt to locate, surveil, or aid or assist in the taking of wildlife.”
The rule doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
New Hampshire also requires hunters to make a reasonable effort to retrieve and use any animal they take (wanton waste, Fis 313).
Which animals does this cover?
New Hampshire’s rule covers all wildlife. In New Hampshire, that includes deer, moose, black bear, and wild turkey.
How New Hampshire defines hunting
New Hampshire law (RSA 207:1) defines “take” or “taking” as including:
“pursuing, shooting, hunting, killing, capturing … and all lesser acts, such as disturbing, harrying, worrying, wounding … and includes every attempt to take and every act of assistance to every other person in taking or attempting to take wildlife.”
What you can do instead
Licensed leashed dog trackers. New Hampshire Fish and Game licenses volunteer leashed dog trackers who help track and recover wounded deer, moose, and bear, including at night. Only a licensed dog tracker may finish a wounded deer at night with a firearm. New Hampshire Fish and Game lists licensed trackers at huntnh.com.
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? 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 New Hampshire Fish and Game to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against the New Hampshire hunting regulations. Rules can change, so check with New Hampshire Fish and Game before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.