Domestic Game Animal Breeder License
Statutory Authority: ECL 11-0103, 11-1905 and 6 NYCRR Part 153, Part 175, and Part 189
The Department may issue to an owner or lessee of wholly enclosed lands, which are fenced, or an entire island, a Domestic Game Animal Breeder License. This license permits the possession and propagation of captive bred white-tailed deer.
Class A - $50.00 Class A breeders may purchase, possess, propagate, transport, and sell captive bred white-tailed deer dead or alive.
Class B - $10.00 Class B breeders may purchase, possess, propagate, and transport captive bred white-tailed deer for their own use. Deer may not be sold, exchanged or given away except that portions of the carcass may be given away as described in the license conditions.
Please note:
- No white-tailed deer are to be released into the wild.
- Special facilities and enclosures are required, and the number of animals an applicant may possess is dependent on the size of the area. The facility must be completed and inspected prior to license issuance. Deer Housing Requirements (PDF, 171 kb)
- Wholly enclosed land means lands the boundaries of which may be indicated by wire, ditch, fence, road, highway or water in any visible or distinctive manner, which indicates a separation from the surrounding contiguous territory.
- This license expires annually on March 31st.
- Prior to applying for a Domestic Game Animal Breeder license, you must first contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (518-457-3502) and enroll your facility in a Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and have a premises inspection of your facility and perimeter fencing.
Further information on the Department of Agriculture and Markets programs can be obtained at: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/AIdeer.html
Either the Class A (PDF, 765 kb) or Class B Domestic Game Animal Breeder Annual Report (PDF 760 kb) must be completed and submitted at the end of each license year.
Please contact the Special Licenses Unit with any questions or concerns about qualifying or applying for this permit. To apply for this license complete the Class A (PDF 24 kb), or Class B Domestic Animal Breeder License Application (PDF 691 kb), and send with a check or money order for the appropriate amount to the Department of Environmental Conservation Special Licenses Unit.
NYSDEC
Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4752
518-402-8985
List of applicable Laws and Regulations
