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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Disease

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Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease
Mike Hopper, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a deadly illness in white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids.

The disease has been found in Missouri and is slowly spreading. The Missouri Department of Conservation is working with conservation partners to find cases and limit its spread. CWD remains relatively rare in the state at this time.

Learn more

Here are link to indepth studies related to deer dying from CWD and CWD driving population declines:

Get More General Information

In This Section

CWD Surveillance

Get information on the latest CWD sampling and testing efforts by MDC, where CWD has been found in Missouri, what else MDC is doing to limit the spread of CWD, and how the public can help.

Mandatory CWD Sampling

Get details on MDC mandatory sampling activities, counties included in mandatory sampling, sampling locations, an interactive map to find locations, mandatory sampling instructions and tips, and details on mandatory sampling. 

Voluntary CWD Sampling Statewide All Season

MDC offers free, voluntary CWD sampling of hunter-harvested deer taken in counties of its CWD Management Zone during the entire deer-hunting season.

Get Test Results For Your Sampled Deer

Hunters who participate in mandatory sampling and/or voluntary sampling can get free test results for their sampled deer.

Carcass Transport and Disposal

Carcasses or carcass remains of CWD-infected deer can spread the disease. Dispose your carcass properly.

Share the Harvest: CWD Testing Requirements

Deer donated to Share the Harvest must be tested for CWD if harvested from any of the 11 counties where CWD has been found.

Human Health Risks From CWD

There is no strong evidence CWD has been transmitted to any species outside of the deer family, including humans. Learn more here.

Post-Season Targeted Culling

Learn why, where, and how MDC works with landowners to cull deer in immediate areas around where recent cases of CWD have been found – along with results. 

CWD: Info to Know for the 2019-20 Deer Season (pdf, 330 KB)

Missouri Department of Conservation is testing deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) during the 2019–2020 deer season in an effort to limit the spread of the deadly disease in Missouri.

CWD Public Input Summary (pdf, 7 MB)

Summary of public input taken during the 2018 fall public meetings and comment period. 

Related Content: 

Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations

If you are deer hunting in any CWD Management Zone counties, follow these rules for preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Chronic Wasting Disease - RMEF

This video from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation explains Chronic Wasting Disease and what conservation agencies are doing to deal with it.

Deer: CWD Management Permit FAQs

Deer

In designated Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Core Areas, landowners of 20 contiguous acres or greater are eligible to receive up to 10 no-cost CWD Management Permits for use on their qualifying properties.

Diseases

Check the Code

This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.
Refer to the Wildlife Code.