The Department of Conservation has changed its mandatory sampling requirements for chronic wasting disease (CWD) to voluntary sampling in 30 counties during the opening weekend of this year’s November firearms portion of deer season.
The change was prompted by ongoing cases and Covid-19 public health concerns in Missouri.
The change will impact hunters who harvest deer Nov. 14 and 15 during the opening weekend of the November portion of the firearms deer season in any of the 30 MDC CWD Management Zone counties: Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, 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.
While CWD sampling is no longer required 71 CWD sampling stations located throughout the zone will remain open and hunters are encouraged to have their deer sampled for CWD on the day of harvest.
“CWD represents a great threat to the health of Missouri’s deer and elk herds and to our hunting culture,” said Kevyn Wiskirchen, CWD mandatory sampling coordinator.
“Sampling deer for CWD allows early detection of the disease and allows for rapid management intervention to slow its spread. Hunters play a critical role in helping MDC find and manage CWD by having their deer sampled,” he added. “Although sampling is voluntary this year, we strongly encourage hunters in CWD Management Zone counties to have their deer sampled at one of our stations on opening weekend, or at other locations throughout the duration of deer season.”
MDC will take precautions to ensure the health of both staff and the public during CWD sampling. Social distancing will be practiced by MDC staff at all stations. Hunters and those with them will be asked to remain in their vehicles while their deer is being sampled. Hunters will only be asked to provide county of harvest and will not be asked to identify harvest location on a map.
MDC will continue to offer statewide voluntary CWD sampling and testing of harvested deer during the entire deer season at select locations throughout the state, including participating MDC offices, cooperating taxidermists, and new freezer head-drop locations. Sampling and test results are free. Locations and more information is available online.
Deer hunters are reminded to follow carcass movement restrictions when traveling to a sampling station.
Before having deer sampled for CWD, hunters are asked to field dress and Telecheck deer before arrival at a sampling station, to bring the carcass or just the head, and to position deer in vehicles with heads and necks easily accessible.
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 county of harvest.
Hunters using a paper permit should have it detached from the deer for easy access. If using the MO Hunting app, have permit and Telecheck information available.