authorize the use of a drone for the location and recovery of mortally wounded deer and elk and to provide a penalty therefor.

SB 201 permits hunters to use drones to locate and recover mortally wounded deer or elk when standard tracking methods fail, directly affecting hunters who meet specific conditions. The bill requires hunters to reasonably believe the animal was mortally wounded during a lawful hunt and that it cannot be found with conventional methods. Drone use is restricted to private land, outside September-November, with pilot permission from landowners, FAA compliance, and adherence to rules set by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission. Violating these rules would be a Class 1 misdemeanor. The law does not change general hunting regulations but adds a specific exception for drone-assisted recovery under strict parameters.