Game Farms
Breeding Game Birds and Game Mammals
Persons interested in propagating game birds and game mammals for commercial or private use must first obtain a Game Farm License from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The cost of the license is $50 per year.
- Game Farm License Application
- Game Farm Regulations
- Mallard Possession Permits
- Captive-Reared Waterfowl
- Releasing Game for Hunting
- USFWS Three Antelope Species Ruling Memorandum
This licensing requirement does not apply to:
- The possession, protection, propagation, raising or production of bison for commercial farming purposes.
- The possession, propagation, raising or production of 100 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 purpose.
- Persons purchasing or receiving eggs for food or consumptive purposes.
A game farm may not exceed 2,000 acres of land owned or leased by the applicant and no two game farms may be joined. In order to raise native and exotic deer, applicants must erect an eight-foot high, deer-proof fence. Game farms must be fenced in such a manner so that domestic game, thereon, may not escape and wild game from surrounding lands may not enter. This fencing requirement does not apply when breeding game birds only. Stock for game farm operations must be captive reared, purchased from a game farm or other licensed entity, and may not be taken from the wild.
Captive wildlife regulations can be found on our website.
We appreciate your interest in breeding game birds and game mammals. If you have any questions, please visit Ask FWC or write to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Captive Wildlife Office, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, or call (850) 488-6253.
Sale of Venison
Non-native deer meat (venison) may be sold uncooked to the public. The sale of packaged, uncooked, non-native venison through grocery stores and other outlets is authorized under Rule 68A-12.004, Florida Administrative Code. The packages must be properly labeled in the manner required by the rule and appropriate documentation of legal source of acquisition must be maintained by the person possessing the venison for commercial purposes. The packages must be "tamper proof." A zip-lock, plastic bag does not meet the "tamper proof' requirements. However, plastic wrap packaging or other package types are acceptable, provided the container cannot be readily opened and resealed. We suggest placing a label or tape around the package to render it "tamper proof."
For more information regarding the sale of venison view, Rule 68A-12.004, Florida Administrative Code, Possession or Sale of Birds or Mammals. Once at this website, enter 68A-12 in the "By Chapter Number" box under "Search for Rules in the Florida Administrative Code" and then click the "GO" button. When the list of rules appears, click on the link to rule number 68A-12.004.
Sale of Nonnative Deer (venison) Information Memo
Enclosure Requirements for Game Animals
Rule 68A-6.004, Florida Administrative Code, Standard Caging Requirements for Game Mammals.
1. Equids (e.g., zebras, asses) and large non-cusorial bovids (e.g., wild cattle, African buffalo, bison). For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 1,250 square feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
2. Cervids (deer family) and cursorial bovids (antelope)
a) Large (e.g., elk, sambar, red deer, sable antelope, eland, wildebeest, and deer and antelope of similar size). For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 1,250 square feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
b) Medium (e.g., white-tailed, fallow, axis, sika, pronghorn, deer and antelope of similar size). For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 800 square feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
c) Small (e.g., roe, dikdik, muntjac, brocket, pudu, Chinese water deer, musk deer, deer and antelope of similar size). For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 450 square feet, 5 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock, by 25 percent of the original footage.
3. Camelids (e.g., vicuna and guanaco)
a) For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 800 square feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
4. Tapirs
a) For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 500 square feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
b) Each enclosure shall have a pool of water, 60 square feet, 3 feet deep, equipped with a ramp or steps. For each additional animal, increase pool surface area by 25 percent of original area.
5. Wild swine (Suidae) and peccaries. For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 200 square feet, 4 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.
6. Wild goats/sheep (Caprinae) (e.g., musk ox, goral, serow, takin). For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 500 square feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase paddock by 25 percent of the original footage.