Use of unmanned aircraft authorized to assist in locating and recovering deceased big game, and report required.

HF 1301 authorizes hunters with a Federal Aviation Administration remote pilot certificate to use small drones to locate and recover deceased big game (like deer or elk) after hunting, effective January 1, 2027. It amends Minnesota Statutes § 97B.115 to permit this drone use while maintaining the existing ban on remote-controlled hunting. The bill requires the Commissioner of Natural Resources to submit a report by January 1, 2026, with recommendations on licensing, insurance, equipment rules, property rights protections, and potential fees for implementing the drone program. This directly affects hunters, wildlife managers, and landowners in Minnesota. The bill focuses on practical logistics for drone-assisted game recovery, not on changing hunting regulations.