With the November portion of Missouri’s fall firearms deer season opening Nov. 16, the Department of Conservation (MDC) wants hunters, landowners and others to know key information about chronic wasting disease.
The MDC continues its efforts to limit and slow the spread of CWD by requiring mandatory sampling for hunters who harvest deer in any of the 29 counties in the CWD Management Zone.
CWD sampling stations will be open Nov. 16 and 17 in 29 counties from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hunters who harvest deer during the opening weekend Nov. 16 and 17 are required to take their harvested deer (or the head with at least six inches of neck attached to one of the CWD sampling stations throughout the zone. Sampling and test results are free.
The CWD Management Zone counties in or near where CWD has been found include Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren and Washington.
Hunters who harvest deer in counties no longer part of the zone are not required to participate in sampling.
However, MDC is offering free voluntary CWD sampling and testing of deer harvested anywhere in Missouri throughout the entire deer hunting season at MDC regional offices during regular business hours and through participating taxidermists and meat processors within the CWD Management Zone.
Before having the deer sampled for CWS, hunters are advised to field dress and Telecheck deer before arrival at a sampling station. Bring the carcass or just the head with at least six inches of the neck attached, and capes may be removed in preparation for taxidermy before going to a sampling station.
The person who harvested the deer must be present, and the hunter’s conservation number will be required, along with specific location of harvest. If using a paper permit, it should be detached from the deer for easy access. Hunters using the MO Hunting app need to have permit and Telecheck information available. Hunters are also asked to position deer in vehicles with heads and necks easily accessible.
Test results are free and will be available within four weeks after the sampling date.