All hands on deck as MDC prepares for start of firearms deer season, CWD testing

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Missouri Department of Conservation will have nearly all staff on hand this weekend to assist hunters with Chronic Wasting Disease testing for harvested deer.

Hunters across the state of Missouri are expected to be out in force this weekend for the start of firearms deer season, which begins Nov. 15 and lasts through Nov. 25.

Every deer killed this weekend in certain counties in the CWD Management Zone must go to the nearest testing site, where a lymph node will be removed to check for evidence of the disease. 

Buchanan County does not fall within the CWD management zone. However, multiple surrounding counties in Northwest Missouri require CWD testing.

A spokesperson for MDC said virtually all staff will be working this weekend to facilitate the process in counties throughout the state. CWD sampling only takes a few minutes to complete.

Counties with 2025 Mandatory Sampling include:
Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Daviess, Dent, Douglas, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Maries, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Ralls, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, Shannon, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Louis, Texas, Webster.

For questions about CWD sampling stations in:

• Northwest Region -- (816) 271-3100 -- Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, pr Livingston counties.
  
• Central Region -- (573) 815-7900 -- Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Howard, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, or Saline counties.
  
• Kansas City -- (816) 622-0900 -- Henry or St. Clair Counties.

Tips for Visiting a Mandatory Sampling Station:

• Field dress and Telecheck your deer before arrival.
• You can bring the carcass or just the head with at least 6 inches of the neck attached. (It is OK to remove the cape before you get to the sampling station.)
• The person who harvested the deer must be present.
• Be prepared to provide your Conservation Number and point out the location of harvest on a map.
• If using a paper permit, have it detached from the deer for easy access. If using the MO Hunting app, have your permit and Telecheck information readily available.
• Position the deer in your vehicle with the head and neck accessible.
• Freezer Drop locations are closed during opening weekend of the November firearms portion of deer season.

A full list of CWD testing locations in each county can be found on MDC's website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/mandatory-cwd-sampling.