Transporting a White-tailed Doe Deer Mount Into California

March 14, 2013

Question: I am looking to add a mounted white-tail doe head to the family cabin but want to be sure before buying it. It was legally taken and mounted in another state. From what I hear, it’s really old. I don’t believe they are native to California but I want to be sure it’s legal to do before purchasing and transporting it here. (Kristi D.)

Answer: Yes, it is legal in California for you to purchase the taxidermied head of either sex of a white tail deer. California Fish and Game law (Fish and Game Code, section 3039) only prohibits buying or selling any species of bird or mammal that occurs in the wild in California. We have only mule deer and black tail deer here.

One thing you must do before importing it into California is to complete and submit the Declaration for Entry form available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/entry-declaration.aspx.

In addition, when shipping wildlife into California, there are certain requirements regarding how to properly mark containers containing wildlife. “Any package in which birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians, or parts thereof, are offered for transportation to, or are transported or received for transportation by, a common carrier or his or her agent shall bear the name and address of the shipper and of the consignee and an accurate description of the numbers and kinds of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians contained therein clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof.” (FGC, section 2348).