Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Vermont? (2026 Rules)
Not clearly. Vermont bans using a drone to locate a wild animal or communicate its location for the purpose of taking it, but doesn’t specifically mention recovery. What the rule says.
2026-11-03
Not clearly. Vermont bans using a drone to locate a wild animal, or to tell someone on the ground where it is, for the purpose of taking it. The rule doesn’t specifically mention recovering a wounded or dead deer. Here’s what it says.
What Vermont’s rule says
From the Vermont hunting regulations, it’s unlawful to take or attempt to take wild animals with a drone, and unlawful to use an aerial vehicle, drone, or unmanned aircraft to:
- “Attempt to locate, surveil, or aid or assist in attempting to locate or surveil any wild animal for the purpose of taking or attempting to take a wild animal”;
- “Communicate the location of any wild animal to any person on the ground for the purpose of taking or attempting to take a wild animal”; or
- “Drive, harass, or otherwise assist or aid in the taking or attempting to take a wild animal.”
Vermont defines a drone as “any device capable of flying in the air which is remotely, automatically or otherwise piloted without an occupant.”
The rule doesn’t mention recovery or make an exception for it.
Which animals does this cover?
Vermont’s rule covers any wild animal. In Vermont, that includes deer, moose, black bear, and wild turkey.
How Vermont defines hunting
Vermont law (10 V.S.A. § 4001) defines “take” and “taking” as:
“pursuing, shooting, hunting, killing, capturing, trapping, snaring, and netting fish, birds, and quadrupeds and all lesser acts, such as disturbing, harrying, worrying, or wounding … and shall include every attempt to take and every act of assistance to every other person in taking or attempting to take.”
What you can do instead
Certified leashed tracking dogs. A hunter who believes they’ve legally killed or wounded a deer or bear may use a person with a Leashed Tracking Dog Certificate from Vermont Fish & Wildlife to track and recover it, during the season or within 24 hours after it ends. Otherwise, no one may use a dog to track dead or wounded deer.
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 Vermont Fish & Wildlife to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against the Vermont hunting regulations. Rules can change, so check with Vermont Fish & Wildlife before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.