Commission asks staff to research blood-trailing dogs and thermal drones for wounded-game recovery

Commissioners discussed options to reduce waste when animals are shot and not recovered and directed staff to research whether blood-trailing dogs or thermal-imaging drones could be authorized for recovering wounded or dead wildlife.

A commission member said social media posts from other states show numerous reports of archery animals that were shot and not recovered; the member proposed allowing blood-trailing dogs and, under controlled conditions, thermal-imaging drones to assist recovery. "I think that if we, as a state, focus on making sure that the animals that are shot are not suffering, and we are recovering and not wasting wildlife, I think that would be a good thing for the department to look at," the member said.

Staff and commissioners discussed legal constraints. Commissioners noted some states impose a 24-hour wait period after using a drone or helicopter in a hunting area so that the scouting advantage does not convert to a hunting advantage; one commissioner proposed a similar 24-hour limit if drones are used for recovery. Commissioners also discussed ambiguity in existing language that prohibits using dogs in pursuit of big game; that language may not explicitly exempt post-shot blood trailing. Staff said they would compile statutes and regulations from other states and look for model language to present at a future meeting.

Outcome: No formal motion was taken. The commission asked staff to research other states’ practices and statutory/regulatory language, and to return with options for controlled use and safeguards (for example, a requirement to present a blood trail to a warden or a 24-hour waiting period if a drone is used). The requesting commissioner said they will bring findings to the next meeting.

Why it matters: Allowing targeted recovery tools could reduce waste of harvested animals and reduce animal suffering, but regulators must balance that goal against prohibitions on scouting with aircraft or other equipment during hunting and the potential for misuse of drones or dogs for illegal pursuit.

Follow-up: Staff committed to compiling research and drafting possible regulatory language for commission review at a subsequent meeting; a workshop or formal agenda item was suggested by commissioners.