Taxidermists

This page is for taxidermists who practice on game mammals (including deer, elk, wild pigs, pronghorn, bear, bighorn sheep) or birds in California.

Maintaining Records

Under California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Section 695, taxidermists shall maintain records of any fish, reptile, bird or mammal carcasses, skins, or parts thereof that are received, stored, or possessed for taxidermy. Under this regulation, taxidermists shall maintain records of:

Name and address of person who brought animal to the shop
Name and address of the owner of each specimen (including any applicable license, tag and/or validation number)
Description of each specimen (part and species)
Name and address of person to each processed specimen is to be delivered
Date received and delivered
Declaration of entry (Form DFW 901) for any out-of-state animal (§712.5)

Taxidermists shall retain these records for a year (or permanently for any unclaimed specimen) and shall be open to inspection by CDFW employees.

Unclaimed Specimens

If an animal is unclaimed, taxidermists can sell if they meet the conditions listed in CCR, Title 14, Section 695(d).

Cleaning Equipment

CDFW has put together a guide on how to clean your taxidermy equipment after use on cervid species (e.g. deer, elk, moose, reindeer, caribou, etc.) to ensure that you are denaturing prions, the infectious agent that causes chronic wasting disease.

Taxidermists can print out their own cleaning guidelines or request a side-by-side 11x17 laminated poster version to hang up at your business, email cwd@wildlife.ca.gov or call 916-358-2790.

Waste Disposal Guidance

CDFW recommends taxidermists dispose of waste from taxidermy through incineration or at a lined landfill. CDFW does not recommend rendering waste from taxidermy due to disease concerns.

Out-of-State Animals Received

Under CCR, Title 14, Section 712, hunters can only import the following parts of cervids (deer, elk, moose, reindeer, caribou): portions of meat with no part of the spinal column, brain or head attached; hides and capes, clean skull plates with no brain tissue, antlers with no meat or tissue attached, finished taxidermy mounts, or upper canine teeth.

Any out-of-state animal received shall have its import paperwork kept or duplicated at the taxidermy facility. Under CCR, Title 14, Section 712.5, any hunter bringing an animal from out-of-state must declare their dead fish and wildlife using a form that shall be kept at the taxidermist.

Migratory Bird Rules

To perform taxidermy on migratory birds for someone other than yourself, taxidermists need a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). More information can be found at 3-200-8: Migratory Bird Taxidermy | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Participating in CWD Samping Program (Native Deer and Elk)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an always-fatal neurological disease that was first detected in California in 2024.

Taxidermists can participate in CWD surveillance through collecting samples, agreeing to have a check station in their parking lot during peak weekends, or collecting and storing deer or elk heads so that CDFW biologists can collect samples.

For more information, check out the CWD website: Meat Processor and Taxidermist Sampling Program or email us at cwd@wildlife.ca.gov .

Frequently Asked Questions

A hunter brought in an animal without a tag. What should I do?

Taxidermists are required to keep and maintain records about the animal. If the person bringing the specimen cannot or will not provide this information (which can be easily obtained from a tag), the animal should not be accepted. Legal documentation can include physical tags or e-tags (used in some states or for wild hogs in California). Tags should be completely filled out prior to arriving in the shop.

Game birds (both migratory and resident) must have a fully feathered wing or head attached until placed into a personal abode or commercial preservation facility or being prepared for immediate consumption in addition to a tag. Doves must have a fully feathered wing attached. The tags should contain the hunter’s name, address, hunting license number, species and numbers taken, date and location of harvest and signature (CCR, Title 14, Section 251.7; also consult USFWS guidance on Migratory Bird Taxidermy).

Out-of-state animals require additional documentation related to their importation into California as required by CCR, Title 14, Section 695(a)(6).

Are European mounts considered taxidermy?

Yes, European or skull-only mounts are considered taxidermy under CCR Title 14, Section 695.

What do I need to work on a species included in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importation: The importation of Appendix-I specimens requires both import and export permits.

Export: The export of Appendix-I and -II specimens requires an export permit. For Appendix-III species originating from the country that listed it, an export permit is required.

The USFWS is the scientific authority that oversees approved State export programs for species that are covered by this Treaty. Individual States may differ in the way that they implement these requirements. For more information contact USFWS:

Interstate USFWS Wildlife Inspector – Los Angeles, CA
(310) 328-6307
370 Amapola Avenue, Suite 114
Torrance, CA 90501
USFWS Wildlife Inspector – San Francisco, CA
(650) 876-9078
1633 Old Bayshore Highway, Suite 248
Burlingame, CA 94010
USFWS Wildlife Inspector – San Diego, CA
(619) 557-5794
610 West Ash Street, Suite 1103
San Diego, CA 92101

Does CDFW regulate pet taxidermy?

No. CDFW only regulates possession and use of wild game and therefore does not address pets.

Can I sell taxidermy in California?

Generally, it is not legal to sell taxidermy of animals found in the wild in California. If you have a taxidermy specimen that you no longer want, you can donate it or give it to a friend or family member. For more, see California Fish and Game Code section 3039 (2025).

Contact Us

If you are a taxidermist, contact taxidermy@wildlife.ca.gov with any other questions.