Animal Movement

Deer, Elk and Other Cervids

This information is current as of April 3, 2013

Importing Cervids from Outside Wisconsin
Importing Cervids Direct-to-Slaughter
Moving Cervids within Wisconsin
Moving Cervids within Wisconsin Direct-to-Slaughter
Exporting Cervids Out of Wisconsin

These rules are current as of December 11, 2012. As the USDA gives its various levels of approval to additional states, they will be added to the list on this page. You can learn more about the USDA Herd Certification Program here.

Cervids may be imported to Wisconsin from the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont

IMPORTING DEER AND OTHER CERVIDS FROM OUTSIDE WISCONSIN

Importing deer, elk, and other cervids into Wisconsin requires an import permit number and a current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) which includes documentation of tuberculosis testing, brucellosis accreditation, and participation in a state-recognized chronic wasting disease (CWD) program. 

Required:

• Import permit number – complete and fax or email in the cervid import permit application form along with the CVI (complete every section marked with an asterisk)
• Current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) which must contain all of the following
  • The seller’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code (if any).
  • The buyer’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code.
  • The dated signature of the examining veterinarian (CVI must be issued within 10 days of inspection).
  • Two forms of approved individual identification for each animal, regardless of age (ONE from each category)
    • Official individual ID
      • A NUES-approved USDA 9-digit silver metal ear tag
      • A NUES-approved ear tag with a USDA shield on the back (8 or 9 digits)
      • A USDA-approved "840" RFID ear tag number (15 digits)
    • Individual ID unique to the herd of origin and listed in state of origin’s database
      • A flap tag
      • An ear tattoo
      • A microchip number implanted under the skin of the animal that uniquely identifies the animal
    • Animals going to a hunting preserve ONLY: Before an animal is released into a hunting preserve, all non-natural additions must have a microchip implanted
  • Tuberculosis status (ONE of the following)
    • If the animals are from an accredited TB herd, include the state ATB number and date of last whole herd TB test (accreditation anniversary date within 36 months of the import date)
    • If the animals originate from a herd that qualifies as a tuberculosis qualified herd, based on a negative whole herd test completed within 365 days prior to the import date, include the test date and results
  • Brucellosis status (ONE of the following)
    • If the cervids come from a certified herd (certification anniversary date within 36 months of the import date), the certification number and last test date must be included on both import permit application and CVI
    • The cervids must have a negative individual test within 30 days of import (animals six months and older)
  • CWD statement: “All cervids identified on this certificate originate from a herd enrolled in a state-recognized chronic wasting disease program for the past 5 years” (include the beginning status date and state CWD number)

The Import Permit Process

Permits are obtained by the veterinarian representing the person selling the cervids to a Wisconsin buyer.

Permit processing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complete the cervid permit application and fax it along with the completed certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) to 608-224-4871 or scan the documents and email them to DATCPAnimalImports@Wisconsin.gov. If the application is incomplete, staff will identify what’s missing so you can correct or complete the application. When everything is in order, a state veterinarian will issue a permit number, and the number will be faxed back to you. Be sure to write the permit number on all copies of the CVI.

It is essential to plan ahead and allow time for processing. Permits are usually issued the same day, but the process may take longer during busy seasons or if the submitted paperwork is not complete. Permits are not issued after business hours or on weekends.

For more information on the cervid import process, please call the import coordinator at 608-224-4874 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For cervid imports from Canada, please call 608-224-4886 for the requirements.

Importing Directly to Slaughter

For cervids imported direct to slaughter, you can use either a state-issued certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or the federal form VS 1-27. Each form has different requirements.

If you are using a CVI, the following are required:

• Import permit number – complete and fax or email in the cervid import permit application form along with the CVI
• Two forms of approved individual identification for each animal, regardless of age (ONE from each category)
  • Official individual ID
    • A NUES-approved USDA 9-digit silver metal ear tag
    • A NUES-approved ear tag with a USDA shield on the back (8 or 9 digits)
    • A USDA-approved "840" RFID ear tag number (15 digits)
  • Individual ID unique to the herd of origin and listed in state of origin’s database
    • A flap tag
    • An ear tattoo
    • A microchip number implanted under the skin of the animal that uniquely identifies the animal
• The seller’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code (if any)
• The destination facility’s name, address, and phone number
• Tuberculosis status (ONE of the following)
  • If the animals are from an accredited TB herd, include the state ATB number and date of last whole herd TB test (must be before the 3rd year anniversary date)
  • If the animals originate from a herd that qualifies as a tuberculosis qualified herd, based on a negative whole herd test completed within 365 days prior to the import date, include the test date and results
• Brucellosis status (ONE of the following)
  • If the cervids come from a certified herd (certification within 36 months of the import date), the certification number and last test date must be included on both import permit application and CVI
  • The cervids must have a negative individual test within 30 days of import (animals six months and older)
• CWD statement: “All cervids identified on this certificate originate from a herd enrolled in a state-recognized chronic wasting disease program for the past 5 years” (include the beginning status date and state CWD number)

If you are using a VS 1-27, the following are required:

• Import permit number – complete and fax or email in the cervid import permit application form along with the VS 1-27 
• Official individual ID for each animal, regardless of age
  • A NUES-approved USDA 9-digit silver metal ear tag
  • A NUES-approved ear tag with a USDA shield on the back (8 or 9 digits)
  • A USDA-approved "840" RFID ear tag number (15 digits)
• The seller’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code (if any)
• The destination facility’s name, address, and phone number
• Sign and date the form – be sure to include the expiration date and time

Not required with a VS 1-27:

• Testing or statements for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or CWD

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MOVING DEER AND OTHER CERVIDS WITHIN WISCONSIN

Moving deer, elk, and other cervids within Wisconsin requires a current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) which includes all of the following:

• Two forms of approved individual identification for each animal, regardless of age (ONE from each category)
  • Official individual ID
    • A NUES-approved USDA 9-digit silver metal ear tag
    • A NUES-approved ear tag with a USDA shield on the back (8 or 9 digits)
    • A USDA-approved "840" RFID ear tag number (15 digits)
  • Individual ID unique to the herd of origin and listed in state of origin’s database
    • A state Badger CWD Program enrollment ear tag
    • A flap tag
    • An ear tattoo
    • A microchip number implanted under the skin of the animal that uniquely identifies the animal
  • Animals going to a hunting preserve ONLY: Before an animal is released into a hunting preserve, all non-natural additions must have a microchip implanted
• The buyer and seller names, addresses, phone numbers, and livestock premises codes
• Tuberculosis status (ONE of the following)
  • If the animals are from an accredited TB herd, include the state ATB number and date of last whole herd TB test (must be before the 3rd year anniversary date)
  • If the animals originate from a herd that qualifies as a tuberculosis qualified herd, based on a negative whole herd test completed within 365 days prior to the movement date, include the test date and results
  • Individual – two tests 90-270 days apart with the 2nd within 90 days of shipment AND the animal must remain isolated from the herd between the two tests
  • For cervids going to a hunting preserve ONLY must have all the following if the above testing requirements are not met:   
    • a complete whole-herd TB test anytime in the past
    • a negative individual TB test less than 90 days prior to movement
    • remained continuously isolated from the rest of the herd since the negative individual TB test less than 90 days prior to movement
• CWD statement: “All cervids identified on this certificate originate from a herd enrolled in a state-recognized chronic wasting disease program for the past 5 years” (include the beginning status date and state CWD number)

Not required:

• Brucellosis testing or statements
• Permit number

In-State Movement Direct to Slaughter

For cervids moving within Wisconsin direct to slaughter, you can use either a state-issued Cervid Owner-Shipper Permit for Intrastate Slaughter (AH-CD-101) or the federal form VS 1-27. Each form has different requirements.
If you are using an owner-shipper permit (AH-CD-101), the following are required:

• Official individual ID for each animal, regardless of age (one of the following)
  • A complete USDA 9-digit silver metal ear tag
  • A CWD status program registration tag, provided that the farm-raised deer also has a unique individual identification number
  • A microchip number implanted under the skin of the animal that uniquely identifies the animal which is implanted in the animal
  • A USDA approved "840" RFID ear tag number
• The owner’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code (if any)
• The destination facility’s name, address, and phone number
• Signatures from the owner and a representative at the slaughter facility

Not required with an AH-CD-101:

• Testing or statements for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or CWD

If you are using a VS 1-27, the following are required:

• Permit number (the number is issued based on the VS 1-27, so no other paperwork is required)
• Official individual ID for each animal, regardless of age
• The seller’s name, address, phone number, and livestock premises code (if any)
• The destination facility’s name, address, and phone number
• Signatures from the issuing veterinarian and a representative at the slaughter facility
• Sign and date the form – be sure to include the expiration date and time

Not required with a VS 1-27:

• Testing or statements for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or CWD

The Wisconsin Cervid Owner-Shipper Permit for Intrastate Slaughter form (AH-CD-101) can be obtained from the Division of Animal Health by ordering online or by calling the office at 608-224-4872. The VS 1-27 can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

EXPORTING DEER AND OTHER CERVIDS OUT OF WISCONSIN

Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for cervids. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.
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