SD SB201

Hunters may hire a drone pilot to locate and recover mortally wounded deer or elk when the animal cannot be found using conventional tracking methods

Drones may already be used for locating predators and varmints on private land with landowner permission, but not during September, October, or November

Game, Fish and Parks Commission must establish rules governing drone use, including permitted hours, required/prohibited technology, how pilots communicate animal location to hunters, and pilot registration requirements

Drone pilots must electronically provide contact and location information to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks before beginning a recovery operation

Violations of the drone rules or using aircraft to hunt/locate wildlife outside these exceptions constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor