(1) Deer shall be handled humanely and quietly, with care and patience.

(2) Persons handling or transporting deer shall be knowledgeable about deer behavior and welfare and shall comply with these regulations.

(3) It is recommended but not required that groups of deer intended for shipment be allowed to establish social relationships before loading.

(4) It is recommended but not required that transportation of deer be by the most direct and appropriate route from point of origin to final destination and be completed without delay.

(5) All rooms, compartments, alleyways, ramps, chutes and doors used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall be free from dangerous projections, such as nails and bolts, and sharp edges that might cause pain and/or injury.

(6) All rooms, pens, compartments, alleyways, ramps, chutes and doors used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall be constructed in a way that prevents deer from jumping out of the area.

(7) All rooms, vehicle compartments, pens, alleyways, ramps and chutes used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall have secure footing and shall be properly drained.

(8) If deer are held longer than one hour, clean bedding material shall be provided in deer areas in transportation vehicles and in holding pens. Deer held in excess of 24 hours shall be provided new or additional clean bedding.

(9) There shall be no gaps between floors and walls, ramps and vehicles, gates and walls or other such objects which would probably result in injury to deer.

(10) Downers (deer unable to stand even with assistance) shall not be brought onto a custom livestock slaughter establishment premises, unless they became disabled during transport to the establishment. In that case, they shall be immediately stunned on the vehicle and removed from the vehicle and bled prior to regaining consciousness.

(1) Doors and gates shall be sufficiently wide to permit deer to pass through readily, without bruising or injury.

(2) The bottom edge of drop gates shall be padded.

(1) Vehicles shall be constructed in a manner that prevents injury to deer, including ensuring that no deer limbs or heads can project from the vehicle.

(2) Vehicles shall have doors that close firmly and securely.

(3) Vehicles shall be constructed to provide deer with adequate ventilation at all times, while avoiding drafts. Care shall be taken to minimize entry of vehicle exhaust into areas containing deer.

(4) If deer are kept in the transport vehicle for greater than one hour, sufficient floor space to allow all animals to lie down comfortably at the same time shall be provided.

(5) Deer shall be loaded only into vehicles that are clean.

(6) Deer shall be protected from extremes of temperature during transport.

(1) Sufficient pens shall be provided to prevent overcrowding, to permit necessary segregation of animals, and to enable all animals to lie down at the same time.

(2) Deer pens shall be segregated from those holding other species of food animals.

(3) Holding facilities shall protect deer adequately from the elements.

(4) Holding pens shall be adequately ventilated to minimize stress to animals and to prevent excessive accumulation of odors and condensation.

(5) Deer that are sick, injured, or disabled shall immediately be separated from healthy animals.

(6) Objects that might cause pain and/or injury, such as sticks, boards, canes, or electric prods, shall not be used on deer. However, a staff or similar object may be used judiciously to assist in guiding deer or for safety when handling larger or aggressive deer.