The CWD Management Zone consists of counties that have had a CWD-positive detection and those that are within 10 miles of a CWD-positive detection.
Special regulations apply in CWD Management Zone counties. For the 2024–2025 deer seasons, the CWD Management Zone includes Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Vernon, Warren, Washington, and Webster counties.
New counties in the CWD Management Zone: Audrain, Boone, Cole, Dent, Douglas, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, and Webster.
The following regulations apply in the CWD Management Zone.
Mandatory Sampling
During Nov. 16-17, hunters who harvest a deer in designated CWD Management Zone counties (see mandatory CWD sampling map) must take the deer (or its head) on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station. Mandatory sampling allows MDC to monitor the spread of CWD and identify new areas of infection as quickly as possible. This allows MDC to implement management practices that slow the spread of CWD and protect Missouri’s deer population.
Feeding and Mineral Ban
The use of grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products used to attract deer is prohibited year-round in the CWD Management Zone. Because CWD can be spread by direct contact between deer, providing feed and minerals for deer where CWD has been found can lead to close contact and promote the spread of CWD. Deer in Missouri do not need supplemental feed and minerals to be healthy.
Telecheck Requirements
Deer harvested from the CWD Management Zone must be reported through Telecheck before they can be removed from the county of harvest.
Carcass Movement Restrictions
Carcass movement restrictions have been put in place in CWD Management Zone counties. CWD can be spread when deer encounter infected deer carcasses. Carcass movement restrictions minimize the chances of CWD being introduced to new areas of the state by hunters improperly disposing of deer carcasses.
Removing the Antler-point Restriction
The antler-point restriction (APR) is removed from CWD Management Zone counties. Young male deer typically leave the area where they were born, often traveling several miles. If these deer have CWD, they can spread the disease to deer in other areas. Allowing hunters to harvest young bucks by removing the APR in the CWD Management Zone is an important part of MDC’s strategy to slow the spread of CWD and protect the deer population.
CWD Portion of Firearms Deer Season
Counties in the CWD Management Zone are open during the CWD portion of firearms deer season. Deer numbers are increasing in most CWD Management Zone counties, and higher deer numbers can increase the spread of CWD. Additional harvest in these counties will help to slow the spread.
CWD Management Zone Map
