Commercial Game Bird Breeder License Information

Commercial Game Bird Breeder License Required

A license is required to possess game birds in captivity for the purpose of propagation or sale, or for selling game bird eggs.

Game Birds Defined

Only the species listed in this section require a commercial game bird breeder license.

• Wild Turkey
• Wild Ducks of all varieties
• Wild Geese of all varieties
• Wild Brandt
• Wild Grouse
• Wild Prairie Chickens
• Wild Pheasant (see note)
• Wild Sandhill Cranes
• Wild Partridge (see note)
• Wild Bobwhite Quail
• Wild Scaled Quail
• Wild Mearn's Quail
• Wild Gambel's Quail
• Wild Red-billed Pigeons
• Wild Band-tailed Pigeons
• Wild Plover of all varieties
• Wild Mourning Doves
• Wild White-winged Doves
• Wild White-fronted Doves
• Wild Snipe of all varieties
• Wild Shore Birds of all varieties
• Chachalaca

Note: All species of partridge and pheasant, although not native to Texas, are defined by law as game birds. This includes the chukar, Hungarian partridge and francolin.

Birds that do not require a commercial game bird breeder's license include, but are not limited to: All non-native quail species (Pharaoh Coturnix, Japanese, Mountain, California, etc.), Peafowl, Guineafowl, Domestic Turkey (Bronze, Bourbon Red, etc.)

Commercial Game Bird Breeder License Fees

(either license is valid for selling game bird eggs)

• Class 1 Commercial Game Bird Breeder's License entitles holder to possess in captivity more than 1000 game birds and the fee is $189.
• Class 2 Commercial Game Bird Breeder's License entitles holder to possess in captivity not more than 1000 game birds and the fee is $27.

Possession of a Game Bird or Part of a Game Bird

• A person in possession of live game birds, game bird eggs, or parts of dead game birds (i.e., feathers, skin, feet, etc.) purchased from a Commercial Game Bird Breeder or other legal source must furnish, upon request of a game warden, a receipt showing:
  • the name and street address of the person possessing live game birds, game bird eggs, or parts of dead game birds;
  • the name and street address of the source of live game birds, game bird eggs or parts of dead game birds;
  • the date of purchase; and
  • the species and number of game birds, game bird eggs, or parts of dead game birds acquired.
• The holder of a Game Bird Breeder's License who offers the carcass of a pen-raised game bird for sale may acquire a rubber stamp showing the identification number of the license holder.
• A person owning or operating a business where food is sold for consumption may sell dead pen-raised game birds if the birds were obtained legally by both the supplier and receiver.
• Pen-reared game birds may be processed at any time.

Prohibitions

• No person may sell, offer for sale, or purchase a carcass or part of a carcass of a dead pen-raised game bird (does not include skin, feathers, feet, etc.) unless:
  • the carcass or part of a carcass is stamped or marked with the identification number; or
  • the carcass or part of a carcass is delivered to the purchaser and is accompanied by a document on which the name, street address, and identification number, if applicable, of the game bird breeder is printed or written.
  • the game bird was killed by means other than shooting.
• No holder of a Commercial Game Bird Breeder's License may sell a live game bird unless it is in a healthy condition.
• No person may purchase a live game bird or game bird egg except from a holder of a Commercial Game Bird Breeder's License; however, this does not prohibit the purchase of live game birds or game bird eggs from a lawful source outside the state.

Records and Reports

Each Commercial Game Bird Breeder shall maintain records showing the numbers of game birds and game bird eggs acquired, propagated, sold and disposed of by any manner. The records shall be on forms provided by the Department and shall contain any other information required by the Department. The reporting period is from August 1 through the following July 31. Failure to keep records is a violation.

Inspection

An authorized employee of the Department may inspect the facilities and enclosures of a person holding a Commercial Game Bird Breeder's License at any time during normal business hours without a warrant.

Penalty

A person who violates a provision related to game bird breeders commits an offense that is punishable by a fine of $25-$500. Each bird, egg or part possessed or sold in violation of a statute or regulation constitutes a separate offense.

General Inquiries

Any questions can be directed towards the License Section at (512) 389-4820 or license@tpwd.texas.gov.

The provisions of the law governing wildlife are subject to changes by the Texas Legislature and Parks and Wildlife Commission. As changes occur, the information contained herein shall be amended to reflect the specific changes.