Hound Running Area Operator and Dealer Permit

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a permit for operation of a running area for training or racing hounds. Hound Running Area Operator and Dealer Permit. To maintain and operate a hound running area and to purchase, transport, propagate, hold in captivity, and sell to or release legally acquired foxes and coyotes into a permitted hound running area. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. Original rule filed Sept. 29, 1994, effective July 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed May 25, 2023, effective Feb. 29, 2024. Amended: Filed May 16, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026. 3 CSR 10-9.575 Hound Running Area: Privileges, Requirements PURPOSE: This rule sets out the privileges and requirements for hound running areas. (1) A permit may be granted after satisfactory evidence by the applicant that his/her stock is from a legal source and that the foxes and coyotes will be confined in humane and sanitary facilities that meet standards specified in 3 CSR 10-9.220. All stock acquired must be from legal sources within the state. (2) A hound running area shall be a single body of land as specified on the permit, fenced to enclose and contain all released foxes and coyotes and to exclude all others, and posted with signs provided by the department. New areas approved after March 1, 2005, must be at least forty (40) acres in size. A minimum of one (1) dog-proof escape area (culvert, brush pile, fenced refuge or other suitable structure) shall be provided per each twenty-five (25) acres, and be available for use by foxes and coyotes any time dogs are present on the area. Escape areas shall not be located immediately adjacent to each other. (3) The holder of a Hound Running Area Operator and Dealer Permit may obtain live foxes and coyotes from a holder of a valid Resident Commercial Live Coyote and Fox Trapping Permit as prescribed in 3 CSR 10-10.788 and 3 CSR 10-10.789. Ear tags attached to foxes and coyotes in accordance with 3 CSR 10-10.789 shall remain on each fox or coyote obtained from a Resident Commercial Live Coyote and Fox Trapping Permit holder. Permittees may also purchase foxes and coyotes from a holder of a Class I Wildlife Breeder Permit or a holder of a Hound Running Area Operator and Dealer Permit. Foxes and coyotes may be held in temporary confinement facilities on the hound running area or another location specified on the permit. These foxes and coyotes may only be released into a permitted hound running area and must be individually marked with ear tags purchased from the department. These animals may not be given away, released to the wild, or exported, except with written authorization of the director. (4) Foxes and coyotes in a hound running area may be chased with dogs, but not with the intent to capture or kill. (5) Prior to being chased, all newly acquired foxes and coyotes shall be provided a minimum of seven (7) days to acclimate to the area. Wildlife held under this permit are subject to inspection by an agent of the department and this inspection may include removal of reasonable samples for biological examination. (6) Any person releasing dogs on a hound running area shall have in his/her possession a valid Missouri small game hunting permit, except that Missouri residents fifteen (15) years of age and under and sixty-five (65) years of age and over are exempt from this requirement. (7) The hound running area operator/dealer shall keep an accurate permanent record on forms provided by the department of the supplier’s full name and address and number of each species held, captured, purchased, sold, propagated, released on the area, or otherwise disposed of. Printed copies of these forms can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 and online at www.missouriconservation. org. Ear tag numbers must also be recorded for each animal released into the area. These records are subject to inspection by an agent of the department at any reasonable time. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. Original rule filed Sept. 29, 1994, effective July 1, 1995. Amended: Filed June 11, 1997, effective March 1, 1998. Amended: Filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed Oct. 9, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed March 2, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed May 25, 2023, effective Feb. 29, 2024. Amended: Filed May 16, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026.