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NASHVILLE — If all approvals are issued a new law will go into affect allowing deer recovery by drones on private property beginning on Aug. 1.

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) held its first meeting of 2026 in Dyersburg at the Lenox Event & Golf Co.

TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Col. Dale Grandstaff was expected to be present for Commission vote the final rule for Drone Recovery, as previewed in December. Last spring, the Tennessee Legislature approved the use of drones solely for the purpose of locating and recovering a wounded deer.

Currently, drones are prohibited from assisting in any recovery or hunting activities. If approved by all necessary parties, including the Tennessee Attorney General and Joint Government Operations, the effective date would be Aug. 1, 2026.

Drone Recovery of Wounded Deer

Lawmakers passed a law to allow the TFWC to set rules on drone recovery.

TWRA must first establish rules for how and where drones can be used.

Once those rules are approved, the law will only apply to private property and for recovery purposes only — not for scouting or hunting.

Until those official rules are finalized and announced, using a drone for deer recovery is still illegal.

Among the advantages drone recovery offers is allowing hunters to humanely finish off wounded deer, saving time having to search for the wounded deer on foot and having more deer meat end up in the hands of hunters instead of wild animals.

Some of the concerns include hunters using it to scout for deer despite the law saying they are not allowed to. The drones, with the lights turned off, could be used to effectively hunt at night, which is not legal, but might be hard to enforce.

In other business:

• The Commission will also vote on the state’s 2026-27 fishing regulations that were previewed by TWRA Fisheries Division staff at the December meeting in Chattanooga. Among the fishing proposals, the Fisheries Division recommended removing the delayed harvest regulation for trout on the Piney River in Rhea County, eliminating the closed fishing season on Catoosa WMA, and adjusting the delayed harvest start date for trout on Big Soddy Creek in Hamilton County to Nov. 1.

• Due to renovations being made at Travis McNatt Lake in Big Hill Pond State Park in Hardeman County and Woodhaven Lake in Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson County, the Agency is recommending catch and release for largemouth bass at these two locations. Following the December meeting, a public comment period was held, and the responses will be presented to the Commission.

• General Counsel Torrey Grimes will present two proclamations for the naming of two access areas, one in Maury County and one in Giles County. At its August meeting, the Commission voted to open public comments and complete the due diligence, consistent with the Commission’s Naming Policy. All comments were in support of the changes.

• Additionally, Dr. Brad Cohen, Tennessee Tech University, will provide an annual report on the mallard research project. The field study is now in its sixth year on state and federal refuges in West Tennessee.

Furthermore, Howie Singer, from Ducks Unlimited Canada, will provide current information on habitat projects and the continued partnership with TWRA. Tyler Hand, Ducks Unlimited and TWRA partner biologist, will give an update on TWRA wildlife management areas (WMAs).

• To round out the agenda, TFWC Chairman Chris Devaney will name committees to select the recipients for the annual Legacy Award and Wally Childress R3 Outstanding Leader Award. The Commission will also elect officers to serve in 2026-27.

In the event of inclement winter weather, updated meeting information will be posted on TNWildlife.org and TWRA social media pages.