Georgia House Advances Bill Allowing Drone Use in Feral Hog Hunting

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia lawmakers are moving forward with legislation aimed at giving landowners and hunters another tool to combat the state’s destructive feral hog population. A bill recently approved by the Georgia House of Representatives would allow the use of unmanned aircraft systems — commonly known as drones — to assist in locating and pursuing feral hogs on private property.

Supporters say the measure responds to mounting agricultural losses and habitat damage caused by invasive hogs, which root up crops, erode soil, and degrade wildlife habitat across much of the state. If enacted, the bill would permit drones to help spot and track hogs from the air, improving efficiency for hunters and landowners attempting to control populations that reproduce rapidly and spread quickly.

Importantly, the proposal does not authorize weaponized drones or aerial shooting. Hunters would still be required to dispatch hogs using lawful methods once animals are located. Lawmakers backing the measure emphasize the bill is intended to improve detection and recovery rather than replace traditional hunting practices.

Current Georgia Department of Natural Resources regulations prohibit the use of aircraft — including drones — to hunt or harass wildlife. The proposed change would carve out an exception specifically for feral hog control, recognizing the species’ invasive status and the unique challenges associated with managing it.

Feral hogs are not classified as game animals in Georgia and may be taken year-round on private lands with landowner permission. Even so, agricultural producers and wildlife managers say existing methods have struggled to keep pace with population growth. Lawmakers and stakeholders increasingly view technology-assisted detection as a potential force multiplier in control efforts.

The bill’s passage in the House marks a significant step, but it must still clear the Senate and receive the governor’s signature before becoming law. If approved, Georgia would join a small but growing number of states exploring high-tech approaches to invasive species control.

For hunters, the proposal represents a notable shift in how technology may be integrated into wildlife management. While traditional fair-chase principles remain central to regulated game hunting, many sportsmen recognize feral hog control as a separate conservation and land stewardship challenge — one that may benefit from innovative tools when used responsibly.