Meat & poultry

Can I sell wild game (hunted) in BC?

Selling wild game meat is an offence under BC’s Wildlife Act unless a specific permit authorises it, and a licensed abattoir may not take in wild animals. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou are different: they can be sold once slaughtered at a licensed plant.

However it was produced

  • At a farmers’ market

    A market with a market manager — farmers’ markets, Christmas markets, craft fairs

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

  • At a festival or event

    Fairs, festivals, sports events, fundraisers — anything that is not a market

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

  • From your door, shop or farm gate

    Customers buy where you make, grow or sell it

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

  • Online, with pickup or delivery

    Orders taken online, by message or by phone

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

  • To shops, cafés & restaurants

    Wholesale, or on consignment in someone else’s store

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

  • To customers outside BC

    Shipping or selling across a provincial border

    No

    No. BC’s Wildlife Act makes it an offence to buy, sell or trade wild game meat unless a specific permit allows it, and licensed abattoirs may not take in wild animals — so hunted meat can be cut and wrapped for you, but not sold. Farmed fallow deer, bison and caribou from a licensed game farm are different: slaughtered at a licensed plant, they follow the meat rules.

The rules behind these answers

Sources

How it’s classified

In force — 2020 guideline

Its own rules

Sources

Proposed — 2026 draft

Its own rules

Sources

More in meat & poultry, or every food, A to Z.

Businesses that sell it

Butchers, delis & fishmongersCutting and selling meat, fish or deli foods.Meat, poultry & egg producersRaising animals for meat, or hens for eggs.

Last checked 26 September 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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