In Brief

Missouri Conservation Commission Approves Changes to CWD Surveillance, Management Efforts

The changes reinstate mandatory sampling, add four counties to the Management Zone

During its May 21 open meeting, the commission added Camden, Laclede, McDonald, and Pulaski counties to the CWD Management Zone. The four counties were added because CWD was found in or near them. With the additional counties, the CWD Management Zone consists of 34 counties.

MDC confirmed 44 new cases of CWD from more than 15,300 deer tested during the past year. Of the 44 new cases, one was found in Pulaski County, which had no previously known cases of CWD. Due to the detection of CWD in Pulaski County, MDC recommended that Pulaski County and adjacent Camden and Laclede counties be placed in the CWD Management Zone. Due to the CWD-positive deer in northern Benton County in Arkansas within 10 miles of McDonald County in Missouri, MDC recommended that McDonald County be added to the CWD Management Zone.

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.

Hunters who harvest deer in any counties of the CWD Management Zone during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season (Nov. 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.

Hunters must follow carcass-movement restrictions when traveling to a mandatory CWD sampling station. Hunters must present their deer (or the head) to a mandatory CWD sampling station within the county of harvest, with a few exceptions. Deer that will be delivered to a permitted meat processor or taxidermist within 48 hours, or deer heads that will be left at an MDC mandatory CWD sampling station for disposal after sampling, may be transported to a sampling station in any county.

CWD regulations prohibit the placement of feed or minerals for deer in counties in the CWD Management Zone. For the four counties newly added to the CWD Management Zone, the deer feeding ban became effective July 1. Additionally, deer transportation regulations effective within all CWD Management Zone counties limit the transportation of some deer parts outside of the county of harvest.

Also related to CWD management, MDC has removed the antler-point restriction (APR) for the upcoming deer season in Camden and Pulaski counties. Younger bucks, which are protected under the APR, are more likely to disperse and potentially spread CWD. Therefore, removing the APR within the CWD Management Zone minimizes the risk of disease spread to other areas.

Also beginning this fall, hunters may fill two Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski counties.

Additional information on these and other regulations will be included in MDC’s 2021 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZVo.

CWD is a deadly disease in white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family. The purpose of MDC’s CWD sampling and testing efforts is to find cases as early as possible so the department can limit the spread of the disease by implementing management actions. The total number of known CWD cases in the state is 206. MDC has tested more than 152,300 deer since the first cases of CWD were found in free-ranging deer in Missouri in 2012. For more information on CWD and MDC efforts to limit the spread of the disease, visit mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

Discover Nature at the Missouri State Fair

Discover nature with MDC at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 12–22. Visit the Conservation Building on the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see live fish and other native animals, including snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Enjoy educational displays about native plants that help butterflies and other important pollinators. Ask MDC staff conservation-related questions, get educational materials, and have fun.

Aug. 13 is Missouri Department of Conservation Day — a full day of fun and excitement sponsored by MDC. For a complete list of events happening on Aug. 13, check out mostatefair.com/schedules/friday-aug-13.

Explore Outdoors with Agents of Discovery App

Looking for a new way to explore and learn about Missouri’s outdoors? Check out Agents of Discovery, a free mobile gaming app. MDC is partnering with the app to help the public explore natural areas around the state. Complete nature-based “missions” at home, while visiting an MDC nature or visitor center, or while attending MDC events, such as Eagle Days or the Missouri State Fair.

Look for MDC’s first missions at Runge, Cape Girardeau, Burr Oak Woods, and Powder Valley conservation nature centers. The first event-based mission will be at the Conservation Building during the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 12–22. New missions will launch every three months.

Agents of Discovery is available for download through the App Store for Apple products or Google Play for Android devices. For more information on Agents of Discovery, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHR.

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