CWD Info to Know for the 2023–2024 Deer Season

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a deadly, infectious disease in deer and other members of the deer family (cervids) that eventually kills all animals it infects. There is no vaccine or cure. CWD is spread directly from deer to deer and indirectly when deer encounter infectious prion proteins (which cause the disease) after they have entered the environment from an infected deer. MDC continues efforts to limit the spread of CWD in Missouri by finding new cases as early as possible and managing the disease to slow its spread to more deer in more areas. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

CWD Management Zone

Fourteen counties are new to the CWD Management Zone this year: Bollinger, Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Dallas, Grundy, Jasper, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Pemiscot, Ray, and Schuyler. Grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within the CWD Management Zone. For exceptions, see the 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXv.

Mandatory CWD Sampling Nov. 11 and 12

Hunters who harvest a deer in designated CWD Management Zone counties during Nov. 11–12 must take their deer, or the head, on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s CWD mandatory sampling stations located in the zone. Hunters must follow carcass movement restrictions (see Carcass Movement Restrictions). Sampling and test results are free (see CWD Test Results). Find sampling locations online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or from MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.

Voluntary CWD Sampling All Season Statewide

MDC will again offer statewide voluntary CWD testing of harvested deer free of charge during the entire deer season at select locations throughout the state. Find locations and more information online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or by contacting an MDC regional office.

CWD Test Results

Test results for CWD-sampled deer are free and will be available within four weeks after the sampling date. Get test results online at mdc.mo.gov/CWDTestResults.

CWD Portion of Firearms Deer Season

To allow more hunting opportunity to help slow the spread of CWD, a new CWD portion of firearms deer season (Nov. 22–26) will be open in CWD Management Zone counties. For permits, limits, and other details, see MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.

Carcass Movement Restrictions

These regulations, included in the Wildlife Code of Missouri, are part of MDC’s ongoing efforts to slow the spread of CWD.

For hunters who harvest deer in Missouri from a CWD Management Zone county:

• Deer must be Telechecked before any parts of the carcass may be transported out of the county of harvest.
• Whole carcasses of deer (and parts that include the brain or spinal column) may not be transported out of the county of harvest, except that:

• Deer carcasses may be delivered to a licensed meat processor within 48 hours of leaving the county of harvest.
• Deer heads may be delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of leaving the county of harvest.
• Deer heads may be delivered to an MDC-approved CWD sampling location within 48 hours of leaving the county of harvest. Note: During Nov. 11–12, hunters who harvest deer in designated CWD Management Zone counties must take the deer (or its head) on the day of harvest to a CWD mandatory sampling station.

• The following carcass parts may be transported outside of the county of harvest without restriction:

• Meat that is cut and wrapped or that has been boned out
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
• Hides from which all excess tissue has been removed
• Antlers or antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue
• Finished taxidermy products

For hunters bringing deer and other cervids into Missouri from another state:

• Hunters may not transport whole cervid (deer, elk, moose, caribou) carcasses into the state.
• Heads from cervids with the cape attached and no more than 6 inches of neck attached may be brought into Missouri only if they are delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering Missouri.
• The following cervid parts can be transported into Missouri without restriction:

• Meat that is cut and wrapped or that has been boned out
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
• Hides from which all excess tissue has been removed
• Antlers or antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue
• Upper canine teeth
• Finished taxidermy products

For taxidermists and meat processors:

• Taxidermists and meat processors throughout the state are required to dispose of deer, elk, and other cervid parts not returned to customers in a permitted sanitary landfill or transfer station. This requirement does not apply to hides from which all excess tissue has been removed.
• Proof of disposal must be retained for 12 months for meat processors and for three years for taxidermists.

Share the Harvest

Missouri’s Share the Harvest program helps deer hunters donate venison to those in need. To participate, take harvested deer to an approved meat processor and let the processor know how much venison is to be donated. Deer harvested within the CWD Management Zone may only be donated to approved processors in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program. Deer harvested outside of the CWD Management Zone may be donated to any Share the Harvest processor. Learn more online at mdc.mo.gov/share or from MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.

More Information

Get more information on CWD regulations and other CWD information online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or from MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXv.

Help Fight CWD!

CWD is one the greatest conservation challenges of our time and the most significant threat facing Missouri’s deer population since the species almost disappeared from the state a century ago. MDC’s goal is to slow the spread of CWD as much as possible to buy science time to develop better management tools and potentially a cure. Hunters and landowners are critical partners in the fight against CWD and can assist MDC by continuing to deer hunt, participating in CWD sampling, following regulations designed to slow the spread of CWD, and cooperating with targeted culling efforts.