Possession, Storage, and Processing

PURPOSE: This rule establishes conditions under which wildlife may be possessed and stored. (1) Wildlife legally taken or acquired may be possessed and stored, preserved, or under refrigeration only at the possessor’s home, camp, place of lodging, or in a commercial establishment. Turkeys may be possessed or stored not later than February 15 next following the close of the season when taken. Except as otherwise provided for taxidermists, tanners, and commercial game processors, cervid carcasses (or parts thereof) not retained by the taker or possessor shall be disposed of only in a permitted sanitary landfill or transfer station, or on the property where the animal was taken. Taxidermists, tanners, and commercial game processors shall dispose of cervid carcasses (or parts thereof) only in accordance with rules specifically provided for such permittees. (2) All stored wildlife, except black bears, deer, elk, and turkeys taken in Missouri, shall be labeled with the owner’s full name and address, or Conservation Number, and permit number if required, species, and date of placing in storage. If taken in another state or country, it also shall include the export certificate, if required. Stored black bears, deer, elk, and turkeys taken in Missouri shall be labeled with the taker’s full name and address, or Conservation Number, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the black bear, deer, elk, or turkey. (3) The manager of any commercial processing or cold storage plant shall possess, process, or store black bears, deer, and elk only under the provisions of 3 CSR 10-10.744. Black bears, deer, and elk left for processing at any commercial processing plant shall be claimed by the owner by May 1 following the season when taken. All commercially-processed black bears, deer, and elk not claimed and picked up or stored by May 1 following the season when taken shall be considered abandoned and must be reported immediately to an agent of the department for disposal. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const, and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Aug. 14, 1970, effective Dec. 31, 1970. Amended: Filed April 20, 1978, effective Aug. 15, 1978. Amended: Filed Aug. 4, 1978, effective Nov. 11, 1978. Amended: Filed Feb. 22, 1979, effective June 11, 1979. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1980, effective Jan. 1, 1981. Amended: Filed Aug. 3, 1984, effective Jan. 1, 1985. Amended: Filed Aug. 6, 1985, effective Jan. 1, 1986. Amended: Filed Aug. 7, 1986, effective Jan. 1, 1987. Amended: Filed Aug. 8, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990. Amended: Filed May 10, 1990, effective Jan. 1, 1991. Amended: Filed May 10, 1991, effective Jan. 1, 1992. Emergency amendment filed July 31, 1992, effective Sept. 1, 1992, expired Dec. 3, 1992. Amended: Filed April 28, 1992, effective Dec. 3, 1992. Amended: Filed May 6, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed June 11, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed May 10, 1999, effective March 1, 2000. Amended: Filed Aug. 24, 2005, effective Jan. 30, 2006. Amended: Filed March 1, 2017, effective Aug. 30, 2017. Amended: Filed June 28, 2019, effective Dec. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed Sept. 4, 2020, effective Feb. 28, 2021. Amended: Filed Jan. 15, 2025, effective June 30, 2025. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.