Commercial Game Processing: Permit, Privileges, Requirements

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a permit for commercial processors of deer meat and sets requirements for those establishments. (1) Commercial Game Processing Permit. To commercially process and store legally acquired cervids and black bears taken from the wild stock of the state at the specific location indicated on the permit. (2) The commercial processor shall post a notice and inform patrons of the provisions of this rule and shall keep accurate records of all cervids and black bears processed and stored. The commercial processor shall dispose of all cervid and black bear carcasses (or parts thereof, except for cervid hides from which all excess tissue has been removed) not returned to patrons in a permitted sanitary landfill or transfer station and retain proof of disposal. The records of all cervids and black bears processed and stored, and proof of disposal, shall be retained for twelve (12) months. All records and stored cervids and black bears shall be made available for inspection by an authorized agent of the department at any reasonable time. (3) For the purposes of processing specialty cervid and black bear meats, commercial processors are exempt from provisions of 3 CSR 10-4.137. For purposes of storing specialty cervid and black bear meats, commercial processors are exempt from provisions of 3 CSR 10-4.137 and 3 CSR 10-4.140(2), but only from September 15 through March 31. These exemptions do not apply to raw, packaged venison or black bear meat. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed April 28, 1992, effective Dec. 3, 1992. Emergency rule filed July 31, 1992, effective Sept. 1, 1992, expired Dec. 3, 1992. Amended: Filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed April 20, 2005, effective Sept. 30, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2011, effective March 1, 2012. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2013, effective March 1, 2014. Amended: Filed Aug. 29, 2017, effective March 1, 2018. Amended: Filed May 29, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. Amended: Filed Sept. 4, 2020, effective Feb. 28, 2021. Amended: Filed Jan. 22, 2021, effective Aug. 30, 2021. Amended: Filed May 25, 2023, effective Feb. 29, 2024. Amended: Filed May 16, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.