New mandatory deer testing begins opening weekend of firearms season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the start of firearm deer hunting season Saturday, the Missouri Department of Conservation is rolling out new rules for Chronic Wasting Disease testing.

MDC requires hunters who harvest deer in designated counties Saturday or Sunday to take the deer or its head to a CWD sampling station, according to the department. Counties include Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery and more. The full list of mandatory counties and sampling station locations can be found on the MDC website.

Sampling stations are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CWD is a contagious, deadly brain disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, according to MDC.

The disease is caused by a protein that attacks the nervous system, according to MDC. It can be spread through direct contact with an infected deer, by coming across an infected carcass, or through contaminated saliva, urine and droppings left on the ground.

The disease is fatal to deer, posing a threat to Missouri's deer herd and the future of deer hunting in the state.

MDC has new regulations for the 2026 hunting season, including the use of feed or minerals in counties within 10 miles of where CWD has been found, mandatory CWD testing during opening firearms weekend and others.

CWD has not been shown to infect people, although the CDC recommends avoiding consuming meat from any deer that appears sick.