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Senate Bill S3542

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to aid in hunting

download bill text pdf

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Environmental Conservation Committee

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2025-S3542 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:
Senate Environmental Conservation
Law Section:
Environmental Conservation Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §§11-0103 & 11-0901, En Con L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:
S8863

2025-S3542 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to search for, scout, locate, hunt, detect, or otherwise aid in the taking of a wild animal to which the hunting season applies.

2025-S3542 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S3542 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3542
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 28, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. BORRELLO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
 
 AN ACT to amend the  environmental  conservation  law,  in  relation  to
   prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to aid in hunting

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 11-0103 of the environmental  conservation  law  is
 amended by adding a new subdivision 33 to read as follows:
   33.  "UNMANNED  AERIAL  VEHICLE"  MEANS  ANY AIRCRAFT THAT IS OPERATED
 WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF DIRECT HUMAN INTERVENTION FROM WITHIN  OR  ON
 THE AIRCRAFT.
   §  2. Section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law is amended
 by adding a new subdivision 18 to read as follows:
   18. A. NO PERSON SHALL USE AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE TO  SEARCH  FOR,
 SCOUT,  LOCATE,  HUNT,  DETECT, OR OTHERWISE AID IN THE TAKING OF A WILD
 ANIMAL TO WHICH THE HUNTING SEASON APPLIES.
   B. A PERSON MAY OPERATE AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE WITH INFRARED ABIL-
 ITIES TO RECOVER A LEGALLY TAKEN ANIMAL, BUT NO PERSON SHALL BE  AUTHOR-
 IZED  TO ENTER THE PROPERTY OF ANOTHER PERSON OR RECOVER A LEGALLY TAKEN
 ANIMAL FROM THE PROPERTY OF ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE
 PROPERTY OWNER.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08069-01-5

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Brian_Dundon
2 months ago

Dear Senator,

I am writing to express my strong support for Senate Bill S3542, which prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to aid in hunting wild animals during their respective hunting seasons. As a constituent, I believe this bill promotes ethical hunting practices and supports wildlife conservation.

By restricting the use of drones for scouting, locating, or hunting, S3542 ensures that hunting remains a fair and traditional pursuit, preventing technology from giving hunters an unfair advantage over wildlife. This aligns with the principles of fair chase and helps protect our state’s natural resources. Additionally, the provision allowing drones for recovering legally taken animals, with property owner permission, strikes a practical balance while respecting private property rights.

I urge you to support the passage of S3542 in the Environmental Conservation Committee and bring it to the Senate floor for a vote. This bill is a step toward preserving the integrity of hunting and safeguarding New York’s wildlife for future generations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jason__Cassant
6 days ago

I'm for the use of drones to recover game but I believe there should be not be any charges to the hunter for such service just like leashed Tracking Dogs. There are to many people that would abuse it .

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