Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations

The CWD Management Zone includes counties within approximately 10 miles of CWD detections. Special regulations apply in these counties.

For the 2023–24 deer seasons, the CWD Management Zone includes Adair, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Laclede, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, McDonald, Mercer, Montgomery, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ray, Ripley, Schuyler, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Vernon, Warren, and Washington counties.

Fall 2023 Mandatory CWD Sampling

If you harvest a deer from designated counties in the CWD Management Zone during Nov. 11 or 12, 2023, you must take your deer — or just the head — to a CWD sampling station on the day of harvest. Hunters are reminded to follow carcass transport regulations when traveling to CWD sampling stations.

Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone

Carcass Movement Restrictions

  • All deer harvested from CWD Management Zone counties must be Telechecked before any parts are transported out of the county of harvest.
  • Hunters wishing to transport any part of the deer with the spinal column or brain present may only do so if within 48 hours of exiting the county if they deliver the carcass to a licensed meat processor or the head to a licensed taxidermist or to an approved MDC CWD sampling site. Note: On Nov. 11-12, heads must be taken on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station.
  • The following parts may be transported out of CWD Management Zone counties 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

Prohibition on Feeding

Grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties. The following exceptions are allowed:

  • Feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building
  • Feed placed in a manner that excludes access by deer
  • Feed and minerals used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production practices
  • Feed placed as part of a feral hog or CWD management effort authorized by the Conservation Department

Other Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone

  • Antler-Point Restriction: MDC has removed the antler-point restriction for CWD Management Zone counties. This was done so young bucks are no longer protected from harvest because these deer are the most likely to disperse from the area in which they were born and thus spread CWD to new areas.

Bringing Harvested Deer or Other Cervids Into Missouri

  • For deer, elk, moose, or caribou harvested out of state, only the following parts may be brought into Missouri:
    • 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
  • The head with the cape and not more than 6 inches of neck attached may be brought into Missouri only if taken to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entry.

Hunters and Landowners Can Slow the Spread of CWD

Surveillance suggests that CWD is relatively rare in Missouri. There is hope that we can minimize the long-term impacts of the disease if we slow its spread. You can help by:

  • Complying with CWD-related regulations.
  • Properly disposing of deer carcasses in a permitted landfill or by burying carcasses on the property where they were harvested. (Transporting deer carcasses from the property where they were harvested and leaving them lay on the land introduces the greatest risk for disease spread.)
  • Reporting sick deer to your local conservation agent or your regional MDC office.
  • Voluntarily testing deer harvested in the CWD Management Zone outside of opening weekend.