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South Dakota Drones & Hunting (2026)

Restricted: South Dakota (SDCL 41-8-39): a Class 1 misdemeanor to use aircraft to hunt, drive, locate or spot wildlife; a narrow drone exception exists for predators/varmints.

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: sdlegislature.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Drones & Hunting in states bordering South Dakota

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IowaRestricted
Iowa bars killing, wounding, or pursuing wildlife from or with an aircraft in flight; DNR applies this to drones used while hunting (Iowa Code 481A.120).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →
MinnesotaRestricted
Per the Minnesota DNR, state law bars using drones to take big or small game, including recovering dead or wounded game (Minn. Stat. 97B.085 / 97B.081).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: files.dnr.state.mn.us · Full Minnesota rule →
MontanaRestricted
Montana (MCA 87-6-208) bars using an aircraft — which includes unmanned aerial vehicles — to spot/locate, pursue, drive, rally or stir up game, or to shoot game from it.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mca.legmt.gov · Full Montana rule →
NebraskaRestricted
Nebraska makes it a Class II misdemeanor to use any aircraft to harass any bird, fish or animal; drone use to shoot at or harass wildlife is barred (Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-509).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: nebraskalegislature.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
North DakotaRestricted
North Dakota (NDCC 20.1-01-11) bars using any aircraft (incl. drones) to kill, chase or harass wild animals or birds; 20.1-01-31 bars a UAV used to disrupt a lawful hunt.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ndlegis.gov · Full North Dakota rule →
WyomingRestricted
Wyoming (W.S. 23-3-306) defines 'aircraft' to include unmanned aerial vehicles; no person may use any aircraft to aid in taking wildlife by spotting or locating it.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wyoleg.gov · Full Wyoming rule →

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