MDC offers CWD Sampling and Encourages Share the Harvest; Hunting Dates Set

MDC offers CWD Sampling and Encourages Share the Harvest

With deer hunting in Missouri opening for archery season on September 15 and for firearms portions in the coming months, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants hunters, landowners, and others to know key information about chronic wasting disease (CWD), and the Department’s related efforts to limit the spread of CWD in Missouri deer, by finding new cases as early as possible, and slowing its spread to more deer or more areas.

CWD Management Zone

MDC has a CWD Management Zone consisting of counties in or near where CWD has been found. The CWD Management Zone for this year includes these 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.

Voluntary CWD Sampling All Season Statewide

MDC will again offer statewide voluntary CWD sampling and testing of harvested deer, during the entire deer season at select locations throughout the state. Sampling and test results are free. Participating hunters can get test results for CWD-sampled deer online at mdc.mo.gov/CWDTestResults within weeks after the sampling date.

Find locations and more information online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or by contacting an MDC regional office.

Mandatory CWD Sampling November 14 and 15

Hunters, who harvest deer in any county of the CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season (November 14 and 15), are required to take their harvested deer, or the head, on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s 71 CWD sampling stations throughout the zone.

Hunters must follow carcass movement restrictions when traveling to a sampling station.

Sampling and test results are free. Participating hunters can get test results for CWD-sampled deer online at mdc.mo.gov/CWDTestResults within weeks after the sampling date.

Find the list of sampling locations online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or from MDC’s 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fall-deer-and-turkey-hunting-regulations-and-information.

Any changes to mandatory sampling requirements, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will be posted by November 1 at mdc.mo.gov/cwd and be available from MDC regional offices.

MDC Will Be Taking Precautionary Measures at Sampling Stations:

• Hunters and those with them will be asked to remain in their vehicles while their deer is being sampled.

• Social distancing will be practiced by MDC staff at all stations.

• MDC staff will wear gloves and face masks at all times.

• There will be a continued emphasis on efficiency in order to expedite sampling.

Before Having Deer Sampled During Mandatory CWD Sampling

• Field dress and Telecheck deer before arrival at a sampling station.

• Bring the carcass or just the head.

• 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.

• The hunter’s conservation number will be required, along with county of harvest.

• If using a paper permit, have it detached from the deer for easy access.

• If using the MO Hunting app, have permit and Telecheck information available.

Get more information on CWD regulations and other CWD information online at mdc.mo.gov/CWD, or from MDC’s 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fall-deer-and-turkey-hunting-regulations-and-information.

 

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at the Commission’s December 1, 2019, meeting for upcoming turkey-hunting and deer-hunting season dates.

2020 Fall Turkey Hunting Dates

Fall Firearms Turkey Season: October 1 – 31

2020 – 2021 Archery Deer and Turkey Hunting Dates

September 15 – November 13 and November 25 – January 15, 2021

2020 – 2021 Firearms Deer Hunting Dates

Firearms Deer Early Youth Portion: October 31 – November 1

Firearms Deer November Portion: November 14 – 24

Firearms Deer Late Youth Portion: November 27 – 29

Firearms Deer Antlerless Portion: December 4 – 6

Firearms Deer Alternative Methods Portion: December 26 – January 5, 2021