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West Virginia Drones & Hunting (2026)

Restricted: West Virginia (20-2-5(a)(5)) makes it unlawful to use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to hunt, take, wound, harass, transport or kill a wild bird or animal, or to drive/herd wildlife.

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: code.wvlegislature.gov →

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

Drones & Hunting in states bordering West Virginia

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

KentuckyRestricted
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife regulation (301 KAR 3:140, 2025) prohibits using an aircraft or unmanned aircraft system to fish, hunt, take, drive/herd, or harass wildlife.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandRestricted
Maryland (Nat. Res. 10-410(j)) prohibits hunting or attempting to hunt wild birds or mammals from an aircraft (incl. drones); a misdemeanor.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
OhioRestricted
Ohio (Admin. Code 1501:31-15-02(B)) bars hunting or taking any wild bird or quadruped by aid of any aircraft, including aerial drones; drones allowed only for post-kill deer recovery.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
PennsylvaniaRestricted
Pennsylvania bars hunting with the aid of aircraft or other devices prohibited by the Game and Wildlife Code (34 Pa.C.S. 2308), and expressly bans launching or operating drones on State Game Lands (58 Pa. Code 135.41); the Game Commission applies these to drone scouting and recovery.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VirginiaRestricted
Virginia (DWR rule 4VAC15-20-240) makes it unlawful to use a drone to hunt, take, kill, drive, herd or harass wild animals, or to hunt the same day after using a drone to locate wildlife.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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