Captive Wildlife Regulations - Game Farms
Effective Date: August 27, 2009
This rule can be viewed at https://www.flrules.org/Default.asp
by searching the rule number.
Synopsis: This rule was developed in anticipation of the repeal of
Section (s.) 379.302, Florida Statute. This rule contains
substantive portions of s. 379.302, and applies current captive
wildlife standards to the establishment and operation of game
farms.
68A-12.011 Regulations Governing the Establishment and Operation of
Game Farms. (New Rule)
The maximum acreage for game farms was increased from 640 to 2,000
acres.
Property must be owned or leased by the applicant. The effective
dates of the lease must cover the license period. A copy of the
valid and current lease agreement must be submitted with the
application.
It is unlawful to buy, sell, or transfer any live game to or from
any unlicensed person or business in Florida.
Provides exemptions from the licensing requirement to include:
commercial farming of bison; possession of 50 or fewer live bob
white quail or non-native game birds (except non-native ducks and
geese) for personal use, consumption, educational, dog training, or
other not for sale, or exhibition purposes; and persons purchasing
or receiving eggs for food or consumptive purposes.
Requires game farms to comply with the provisions of Chapter 68A-6,
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), concerning food, humane
treatment, sanitary conditions, housing, and transportation of
captive wildlife.
Specifies record keeping requirements and requires game farm
operators to maintain records of changes in inventory to include:
sale, transfer, or acquisition of animals and animals harvested for
consumption. These records are to be made available for inspection
by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
personnel.
A copy of the current and valid game farm license of the farm where
the game was produced must accompany live game transported to a
licensed processing facility for immediate processing.
Only the licensee or their employees may kill game on farm
property. Records verifying proof of employment must be made
available for inspection upon request by FWC personnel.
The sale of whitetail deer meat (venison) is prohibited.
Deer meat (venison) from species of non-native deer may be sold.
Meat must be packaged in a tamper-proof container clearly marked
with a label stating "NON-NATIVE VENISON (identify species)
PRODUCED ON A LICENSED GAME FARM."
Captive game harvested and stored on the game farm cannot be mixed
with game harvested from the wild.
All game farms buying/selling/moving deer, elk, or other Cervidae
must keep and maintain copies of all records per Rule 68A-4.0051
and Chapter 5C-26, F.A.C., and such records must be made available
for inspection by FWC personnel.
Persons with Disabilities