The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants deer hunters to know that it is offering free chronic-wasting-disease (CWD) sampling and testing of deer harvested anywhere in the state throughout the entire deer hunting season – Sept. 15 through Jan. 15, 2019. The sampling is voluntary and hunters can also get free test results for their deer.
Hunters can have their deer sampled at 11 select MDC offices around the state. Hunters can also take their deer to 64 participating taxidermists and meat processors located in the 48 counties of MDC’s CWD Management Zone. (See map for CWD Management Zone counties.)
MDC asks hunters to Telecheck their deer before taking them to a CWD sampling location. Hunters can bring the entire deer — preferably field dressed — or the head with at least 6 inches of the neck in place. Heads that have the cape removed for taxidermy can also be sampled.
Find more information about CWD at the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website.
(Photo source: Missouri Department of Conservation)