Veterinary - Farmed Cervid Proqram FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. However, to own deer in NC you must first obtain a Farmed Cervid License from the NC Department of Agriculture.
No. Farmed deer can only be kept for commercial, agricultural or educational purposes.
Farmed deer can be raised for meat or antler production. They can also be raised for breeding stock and exported to states or territories that allow the hunting of farmed deer. Finally, many people raise deer for educational purposes as a part of zoo’s or other animal experiences.
Deer can be obtained from other deer farmers in the state. Or CWD non-susceptible cervid can be imported if all other requirements are met. You must first obtain a transportation permit and an approved importation permit prior to bringing animals in state. Please call us for the requirements.
Only CWD non-susceptible species can be imported into NC if all requirements are met.
Yes. The deer farm address does not have to be the same as the owner’s home address. The farm address should be the actual address of the farm.
No. Hunting of farmed cervids is not allowed in North Carolina. However, tribal lands are autonomous and not under the authority of North Carolina.
No. Farmed cervids are not allowed to be released. Also, farmed cervids are not allowed to be hunted.
CWD susceptible cervids are any cervid in the Cervidae family that are susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). North Carolina considers these to be whitetail deer, redtail deer, mule deer, sika deer, elk, muntjac deer, reindeer, or any hybrid of these species.
There are cervids that are not susceptible to CWD. These include Fallow deer, Piere David deer, and axis deer. There may be other cervid that are non-susceptible but are currently not available in North Carolina.
No. Capturing a wild deer is illegal and subject to penalties and criminal fines. If you encounter a wild deer (or a wild fawn), our recommendation is to not disturb them. If you have continual issues with wild deer, please contact the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
On September 30, 2015, the approval of the Farm Act by the North Carolina legislature transferred the oversight and regulation of production, sale, possession and transportation of farmed cervids in North Carolina from the Wildlife Resources Commission to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. NCDA&CS had in place a transition team that reviewed current rules, regulations, and processes for the NCDA&CS’s Farmed Cervid Program. This team worked to integrate existing requirements into the operational capability of our department.