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2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 127
BY SENATORS CATHEY AND AL LAIN
HUNTERS/HUNTING. Provides for the utilization of unmanned aircraft systems. (8/1/24)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 14:337(G), R.S. 56:116.1(D)(5), and R.S. 56:116.3(I), relative to the use of
3 unmanned aircraft systems; to provide for exceptions; to provide for observation of
4 feral hogs; to provide for recovery of wounded deer; to provide for observation of
5 deer; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 14:337(G) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §337. Unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system
9 * * *
10 G. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to unmanned aircraft
11 systems used with the express permission of the property owner or lessee to
12 assist in observation of feral hogs, as provided in R.S. 56:116.1(D)(5), or
13 tracking and retrieval of mortally wounded deer in the open season or
14 observation of deer in the closed season, as provided in R.S. 56:116.3(I).
15 Section 2. R.S. 56:116.1(D)(5) and R.S. 56:116.3(I) are hereby enacted to read as
16 follows:
17 §116.1. Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; times and methods of taking; penalties
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 127
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1 D.(1) * * *
2 (5) On private property and with the express permission of the property
3 owner or lessee, an unmanned aircraft system may be used to assist in
4 observation of feral hogs.
5 * * *
6 §116.3. Special provisions applicable to deer and bear; times and methods of taking;
7 penalties
8 * * *
9 I. No person shall use an unmanned aircraft system, as defined in R.S.
10 14:337, for the purposes of tracking, recovery, hunting, or taking of deer, except
11 in the following circumstances:
12 (1) Except in wildlife management areas, an unmanned aircraft system
13 may be used with the express permission of the property owner or lessee to
14 assist in tracking and retrieval of mortally wounded deer during or after legal
15 hunting hours in the open season.
16 (2) Except in wildlife management areas, an unmanned aircraft system
17 may be used with the express permission of the property owner or lessee to
18 assist in observation of deer in the closed season. Such use shall not include
19 physical contact with or harassment of deer.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jacob K. Wilson.
DIGEST
SB 127 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Cathey
Present law defines unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and unlawful use of a UAS and
provides for exceptions.
Proposed law retains present law and adds exceptions for UAS's used to observe feral hogs
and deer and to track and recover wounded deer.
Present law provides methods of taking outlaw quadrupeds, including feral hogs.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that UAS's may be used to observe feral hogs
on private property.
Present law provides special provisions applicable to hunting and taking deer.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 127
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Proposed law retains present law and provides that, except in wildlife management areas,
UAS's may be used to track and recover mortally wounded deer during or after legal hunting
hours in the open season.
Proposed law provides that, except in wildlife management areas, UAS's may be used to
observe deer during the closed season. Proposed law prohibits use of unmanned aircraft
systems to physically contact or harass deer.
Proposed law requires the UAS operator to obtain the property owner or lessee's permission.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 14:337(G) and R.S. 56:116.1(D)(5) and 116.3(I))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to
the original bill
1. Requires the UAS operator to obtain the express permission of the property
owner or lessee.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.