Thursday 28th March 2024

mdc-cwd-testing-deer

The Missouri Conservation Commission recently approved proposed regulation changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance and management efforts. The changes were approved at the Commission’s May 21 open meeting. The commission added four counties to the CWD Management Zone and reinstated mandatory CWD sampling requirements.

The approved MDC regulations add Camden, Laclede, McDonald and Pulaski counties to the CWD Management Zone. The four counties were added to the Zone due to CWD being found in or near them. With the additional counties, the CWD Management Zone consists of 34 counties in or near where CWD has been found.

MDC previously reported it confirmed 44 new cases of CWD from more than 15,300 deer tested during the past year.

The Commission also gave its approval to reinstate mandatory CWD sampling for the coming deer season. Counties designated for mandatory CWD sampling must be approved by the Commission each year. As a result of COVID-19, MDC waived the mandatory sampling requirement for last year’s opening weekend. Chariton County is in the mandatory CWD testing area.

Hunters who harvest deer in any counties of the CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend of the November portion of the firearms deer season (November 13-14) are required to take their harvested deer (or the head) on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s mandatory CWD sampling stations throughout the Zone.

For more information on CWD and MDC efforts to limit the spread of the disease, visit mdc.mo.gov/cwd.