Deer and Elk

A person who raises farmed cervidae (deer or elk) in Minnesota must be registered with the Board of Animal Health and meet all the requirements specified in Minnesota Statutes 32.153, 35.155 and Minnesota rules 1721.0370 to 1721.04.

“Cervidae” means animals that are members of the family Cervidae and includes, but is not limited to, white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer, and muntjac.

“Farmed cervidae” means cervidae that are raised for any purpose and are registered in a manner approved by the Board of Animal Health. Farmed cervidae are livestock and are not wild animals for purposes of game farm, hunting, or wildlife laws.

To register a farmed cervidae herd, the owner must submit a registration application and inventory report to the Board of Animal Health along with a check for the annual inspection fee. As of July 1, 2019, the fee is $500 for producers that manage their herd for profit or monetary gain, engage in transaction or exchanges for consideration, sell the ability to shoot animals in the herd, or if the herd consists of more than one species. The fee is $250 for all other herds.

Each farmed cervidae facility must be inspected by the Board of Animal Health each year to verify compliance with Minnesota Statutes 35.153, 35.155 and Minnesota rules 1721.0370 to 1721.04.

Our Chronic Wasting Disease section and forms moved to a new page.

Click here to access the CWD webpage.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that can affect many mammals, including members of the cervidae family. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It can be transmitted between livestock, humans, and other animals. The disease is spread through respiratory and oral secretions from infected animals.

The Board of Animal Health administers a voluntary tuberculosis accreditation program for farmed cervidae herds. To be awarded tuberculosis accredited status, a herd must be found negative on two consecutive whole herd tuberculosis tests conducted nine to fifteen months apart. If your cervidae herd has contact with cattle, bison, or goats on your farm, then these animals must also be tuberculosis tested to receive accredited status for your herd. To maintain this status, whole herd tuberculosis tests must be conducted every 36 months.

Bovine brucellosis is a contagious disease of ruminant animals that can also affect humans. It is caused by bacteria known as Brucella abortus. The disease is spread through fluids from infected animals.

The Board of Animal Health administers a voluntary brucellosis certification program for farmed cervidae herds. To be awarded brucellosis certified status, a herd must be found negative on two consecutive whole herd brucellosis tests conducted nine to fifteen months apart. If your cervidae herd has contact with cattle or bison on your farm, then these animals must also be brucellosis tested to receive certified status for your herd. To maintain this status, whole herd brucellosis tests must be conducted every 36 months.