WILDLIFE-DRONES ALLOWED

HB 2740 amends Illinois' Wildlife Code to permit hunters to use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) for tracking wounded animals during a hunt. This change removes a previous prohibition that banned using unmanned aircraft to take, pursue, or disturb wildlife, creating a specific exception for locating injured game. The amendment does not allow drones for general hunting, scouting, or other purposes beyond tracking wounded animals. It directly affects hunters in Illinois who may now use this technology to locate injured game without violating wildlife laws.