Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in West Virginia? (2026-27 Rules)
Yes. Since 2025, West Virginia lets hunters use a drone to find a mortally wounded deer. What the law says, the licenses a pilot needs, and who can finish the deer.
2026-11-03
Yes. Since 2025, West Virginia law lets a hunter use a drone to track and find a mortally wounded deer. There are a few license rules that are different from other states, so here’s what to know for the 2026-27 season.
What West Virginia’s law says
The law is W. Va. Code §20-2-5j, and it’s summarized in the 2026-27 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations:
“A hunter may use one (1) leashed dog or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for tracking and locating a mortally wounded deer, bear, wild turkey or wild boar.”
You can fly your own drone, or hire a licensed drone operator to do it for you.
Using a drone to hunt, chase, or herd game is still illegal. The exception is only for finding an animal you believe you’ve already mortally wounded.
Tracking counts as hunting
This is the big difference from other states. In West Virginia, anyone tracking a wounded deer with a drone or dog is hunting, so:
- Everyone involved needs a valid West Virginia hunting license (unless they’re exempt), and all hunting laws apply.
- Only the hunter who shot the deer can finish it. The one exception is a hunter who is physically unable to go along, who can let the tracker do it.
- The deer counts toward the hunter’s bag limit.
What a paid pilot needs
If you’re paying someone to fly, West Virginia requires them to have:
- A West Virginia outfitter or guide license. Anyone tracking for profit, with a drone or a dog, must have one.
- An FAA Part 107 certificate if they’re flying anywhere other than land they own or lease.
The WV Division of Natural Resources posts a list of licensed wounded game trackers. It’s fair to ask a pilot if they’re licensed before they fly.
Which animals does this cover?
West Virginia’s rule names deer, bear, wild turkey, and wild boar, and the law also covers elk.
Permission to go get your deer
The drone can search over neighboring land under FAA rules, so you don’t need anyone’s permission before the search. Ask the landowner where you’re hunting if the pilot can launch from there.
Once the deer is found, remember that recovering it counts as hunting in West Virginia. To go onto land that’s posted, fenced, or marked with purple paint, you need the landowner’s written permission with you.
Finding a pilot in West Virginia
Drone Deer Tracker lists thermal drone pilots in West Virginia. Browse West Virginia pilots, or use the map to find the closest one and call or text them directly. For tips on what to tell the pilot, see how to find a drone deer recovery pilot fast.
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 WV Division of Natural Resources to confirm it’s allowed.
Last checked November 2026 against W. Va. Code §20-2-5j and the 2026-27 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Rules can change, so check with the WV Division of Natural Resources before you hunt. This article is general information, not legal advice.