§ 17. Rule governing the importation and possession of cervids from chronic wasting disease
endemic areas and captive hunt or farm facilities
1.1 This rule is promulgated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081. In promulgating this rule, the Fish and Wildlife Board is following the policy established
by the General Assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and
conservation of fish, wildlife and furbearing animals in this State is in the interest
of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the
people of the State requires a constant and continual vigilance.
1.2 In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population and utilization levels
of the regulated species and other necessary or desirable species which are related
to the regulated species.
1.3 This rule applies to importation and possession of cervid carcasses or the parts thereof,
from chronic wasting disease endemic areas and captive hunt or farm facilities.
1.4 This rule shall apply to all persons who import, possess, transport, use, or deal
with cervid carcasses, or parts thereof, from chronic wasting disease endemic areas
and captive hunt or farm facilities.
1.5 For the purposes of this rule, “cervid” means any species in the family Cervidae.
2.0 The purpose of this rule is to:
(a) ensure the conservation of the wildlife in the State, and
(b) maintain the best health of native Cervidae of the State, and
(c) prevent the introduction or spread of a disease that is potentially harmful to humans
and wild species.
3.0 Permitted Activities and Restrictions
3.1 The importation or possession of cervid carcasses, or the parts thereof, from chronic
wasting disease endemic areas and captive hunt or farm facilities is prohibited except
as provided below:
(a) Meat that is cut up and packaged, and not mixed with other cervids during processing.
(b) Meat that is boneless.
(c) Hides or cape with no part of the head attached.
(d) Clean skull-cap with antlers attached.
(e) Antlers with no other meat or tissue attached.
(f) Finished taxidermy heads.
(g) Upper canine teeth with no tissue attached.
3.2 All hunters shall identify their cervid with their hunting license information in accordance with Title 10 App. § 2a (Big Game; Tagging).
4.0 Chronic Wasting Disease Endemic Areas
The Department shall provide a list of chronic wasting disease endemic areas and shall
update the list as areas are added or deleted. The list shall be available on the
Department’s web site, from the Department’s headquarters and from the Department’s
district offices. The list shall also be made available to the media as much as practicably
possible to provide maximum notice to the public.
5.0 Captive Hunting or Farm Facilities Defined.
5.1 Captive Hunting Facilities are any facilities with captive cervids held in a fenced
or walled enclosure for the purpose of taking by hunting.
5.2 Farm Facilities are any facilities with captive cervids held in a fenced or walled
enclosure and are raised for meat, hides, antlers or other products. For the purposes
of this rule, farm facilities do not include facilities located in Vermont that are
subject to the provisions of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Rules Governing
Captive Cervidae. (Added 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1100, eff. June 4, 2003; amended 2025,
Fish and Wildlife Board Reg., eff. Sept. 2, 2025.)