IA HF2112

Licensed deer hunters who wound a deer, or licensed companions assisting them, may use a registered unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to track and retrieve the wounded animal.

Hunters may dispatch the wounded deer using any legal method of take authorized by their deer hunting license, but cannot hunt or kill any other animal during tracking except in self-defense.

Drones used for wounded deer retrieval must be registered with both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Use of registered drones on private property for deer retrieval is permitted at any hour with the property owner's consent.

Violations of these provisions carry a scheduled fine of $250.