CHARLESTON, WV – A proposed law in West Virginia could significantly alter how hunters track down wounded game. House Bill 2043, which has already cleared the legislature, is now waiting for Governor Patrick Morrisey to sign it into law.
New Rules for Drones in Hunting
Under current regulations, hunters are prohibited from using drones or other aircraft to locate wounded animals. If the bill is signed into law, that restriction would change—but with limitations. Only those with a licensed drone pilot certification would be allowed to use drones to aid in tracking down injured game.
Shon Butler, owner of Longspur Tracking and Outfitting, supports the move, emphasizing that drones would help prevent unnecessary waste of wounded animals.
“I don’t think drones should be used to locate animals before hunting them. But once an animal has been shot, every effort should be made to recover it. That way, it’s accounted for and put to use rather than being wasted,” Butler said.
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Stricter Rules for Tracking Dogs
The bill also introduces new restrictions on hunting dogs. If passed, hunters would be limited to using only one dog per hunter to track wounded deer, bear, turkey, boar, and elk.
While Butler enjoys working with multiple dogs, he acknowledges the reasoning behind the rule.
“I love watching my dogs work, but I understand the concern. West Virginia has small hunting areas, not vast open lands. We need highly trained tracking dogs, and a one-on-one approach makes sense,” he explained.
Boosting Conservation Efforts
Butler believes the proposed law would significantly aid in wildlife conservation.
“In the past six years, my company alone has helped recover over 1,200 animals in West Virginia that otherwise would have been lost. If we combine tracking dogs with drones, we could triple or quadruple that number. Hunters won’t just give up on a wounded animal and move on to the next one,” he said.
With House Bill 2043 awaiting Governor Morrisey’s final decision, hunters and conservationists alike are watching closely to see if these changes will soon take effect.