Missouri requires mandatory chronic wasting disease testing for deer harvested in 35 counties Nov. 15-16.
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological illness in deer with no reported cases in humans, though risks are being studied.
Hunters must bring their deer or the deer’s head to a designated sampling station for testing.
Those hunting deer this weekend across Missouri may be required to bring their harvest to a sampling station to test the deer for chronic wasting disease.
CWD is a deadly neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family caused by misfolded natural proteins called prions resulting in brain cell deterioration, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people to date, studies raise concerns for potential risk to people.
To have a better understanding of CWD in the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation is mandating CWD sampling in 35 counties across the state. Deer harvested Nov. 15-16 in counties designated by the MDC are required to be taken to a CWD sampling station, open 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
In southwest Missouri those counties include Webster and Douglas counties. Sampling is done by collecting lymph nodes from the neck, so sampling can also be done by bringing in only a deer’s head for sampling. For a complete list of counties included in mandatory testing and sampling station locations, visit the MDC website.
Here’s where to find mandatory sampling stations this weekend:
Webster County: Marshfield Missouri Department of Transportation Facility at 333 Pin Oak Loop, Marshfield;
Webster County: Seymour MoDOT Facility at 455 Highway C, Seymour;
Douglas County: Ava MoDOT Facility at 504 Fair Road, Ava;
Douglas County: Eastern Douglas County Maintenance Shed at 10108 Highway 95, Vanzant.
Here’s what to know before visiting mandatory sampling station:
Field dress and Telecheck your deer before arrival;
You can bring the carcass or just the head with at least 6 inches of the neck attached (It is OK to remove the cape before you get to the sampling station);
The person who harvested the deer must be present;
Be prepared to provide your Conservation Number and point out the location of harvest on a map;
If using a paper permit, have it detached from the deer for easy access. If using the MO Hunting app, have your permit and Telecheck information readily available;
Position the deer in your vehicle with the head and neck accessible;
Freezer Drop locations are closed during opening weekend of the November firearms portion of deer season.
Free voluntary CWD testing is available throughout the entire deer season regardless of county of harvest. More information is available at your local MDC office or by visiting www.mdc.mo.gov/cwd. Test results are available by going to www.mdc.mo.gov/cwdtestresults and entering your Telecheck ID or Conservation ID number but may take up to four weeks from the time of sample collection.
Per recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meat from deer that test positive for CWD should not be consumed. Remaining meat or carcass parts should be disposed of in a permitted sanitary landfill, MDC recommends.
Opening weekend of firearms season
The weekend of mandatory sampling overlaps with opening weekend of November firearms season that runs through Nov. 25. According to the MDC website, hunters take about a third of the state’s total annual deer harvest during these two days. With sampling taking place at the same time, it provides for the best opportunity to collect the most tissue samples. The more information MDC can gather, the better grasp the agency has on the prevalence of CWD and new areas of infection which can then lead to implementation of management practices that slow the spread of the disease and protect Missouri’s deer population.
More counties than are included in the mandatory sampling are designated by MDC as CWD Management Zones. In these areas, certain regulations apply.
Those include:
The use of grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable products used to attract deer is prohibited year-round;
Antler-point restriction is removed from these counties as young male deer typically leave the area where they are born. If they have CWD, they can spread the disease to other areas, so allowing hunters to harvest young bucks can slow the spread of CWD.
MDC has also designated a CWD portion of the firearms deer hunting season that runs from Nov. 26-Nov. 30 during which counties within the management zones are open for hunters. More information of this special hunting season can be found on the MDC website.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
