Legally Owning a Reindeer
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189915)
Boise, Idaho
December 9, 2025 5:41pm CST
I never thought about it. If I had a farm, I might like to have one. But I found out that reindeer (also known as caribou in some regions), elk and fallow deer are considered domestic livestock here in Idaho. You can legally own one, but you have to fill out an Application for Possession of Deleterious Exotic Animals. They probably aren't cheap to feed and care for either. They weight between 140 and 700 pounds. But I enjoy seeing them flying Infront of Santa's sleigh each year. (Dasher, Prancer, Comet, Donner, Dancer, Vixen, Cupid, Blitzen and, not to forget Rudolph.) They live in North America, Asia, Greenland, Scandinavia, Alaska and Russia.
6 people like this
6 responses
@DaddyEvil (174559)
• United States
9 Dec
I wonder if Santa has permits for his reindeer? Does he need permits for each state/country or is he automatically exempt just because he's Santa? 
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Dec
In all the stories I see about him he is very hard to pin down so they probably let him go without all the paperwork.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174559)
• United States
9 Dec
@celticeagle You're probably right. I didn't think that through. 
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Dec
@DaddyEvil .......I'm sure he is trusted around the country.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135821)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Dec
I have never checked to see if you need a permit here. There is a reindeer farm outside LaRue
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Dec
They be expensive pets I would think.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135821)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Dec
@celticeagle Probably no more than a horse.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Dec
I think I have seen that one. That is cool that he does this.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec
@sallypup .. ....so many good ones out there. I watched Frosty the other night.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69184)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Dec
@celticeagle The Prancer movie has pretty funny parts in it. It also touches on small town Michigan life.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec
I like to see wild things in the wild.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
10 Dec
I would like to see the reindeer remain in the wild...except for Santa's reindeer of course.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec
Me too. That where they'd be happiest.
1 person likes this
