Taxidermy; Tanning: Permit, Privileges, Requirements

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a taxidermy and tanning permit with specified privileges and requirements. (1) Taxidermy and Tanning Permit. To engage in the business of wildlife taxidermy or tanning at the specific location indicated on the permit. (2) Legally acquired wildlife may be possessed and stored by a licensed taxidermist or tanner at the specific location indicated on the permit, but only for the purposes of tanning, mounting, or preserving. A licensed taxidermist or tanner may also transport and ship legally acquired wildlife to and from the location specified on the permit and, after tanning, mounting, or preserving, may exhibit or display such wildlife at locations other than the specific location indicated on the permit. (3) Wildlife legally possessed may be shipped or delivered to a licensed taxidermist or tanner and may be mounted or preserved by him/her, except as provided under 3 CSR 10-4.135. (4) Legally taken and possessed furbearers and black bears legally harvested outside of Missouri may be purchased by licensed taxidermists or tanners, but only from the taker or a licensed fur dealer, and only for mounting or tanning. Only mounted or tanned specimens, and not raw furbearer or black bear pelts, may be sold by taxidermists and tanners. (5) All licensed taxidermists and tanners shall keep accurate, up-to-date records of the number and species of all wildlife received, the full name and address of the consignor (or seller of furbearers), the dates of all transactions and disposition of all wildlife, and the specific locations where all tanned or mounted wildlife is being exhibited or displayed on a form approved or provided by the department. Printed copies of this form can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 and online at www. missouriconservation.org. Licensed taxidermists and tanners shall dispose of all cervid carcasses (or parts thereof, except for cervid hides from which all excess tissue has been removed, antlers, antlers attached to skull plates, or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue, upper canine teeth, and finished taxidermy products) not returned to patrons and carrion beetles and their waste in a permitted sanitary landfill or transfer station and retain proof of disposal. These records and wildlife shall be available for inspection by an authorized agent of the department at any reasonable time. All completed records required by this rule, including proof of disposal of cervid carcass parts, shall be retained for three (3) years. Renewal of a permit shall be conditioned upon compliance with this rule. (6) All wildlife held by a licensed taxidermist or tanner shall be identifiable to the consignor. Unused parts of wildlife may be disposed of or sold, except unused parts of a black bear, by licensed taxidermists or tanners, but not for human consumption. Federal regulations apply to the mounting of migratory birds and endangered species. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Aug. 27, 1975, effective Dec. 31, 1975. Amended: Filed July 27, 1982, effective Jan. 1, 1983. Amended: Filed Aug. 7, 1986, effective Jan. 1, 1987. Amended: Filed Aug. 9, 1988, effective Jan. 1, 1989. Amended: Filed Sept. 11, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990. Amended: Filed May 10, 1991, effective Jan. 1, 1992. Amended: Filed April 21, 1993, effective July 1, 1994. Amended: Filed June 11, 1997, effective March 1, 1998. Amended: Filed Oct. 9, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 2009, effective March 1, 2010. 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.