Post-Season Targeted Removal

Targeted Removal Helps Reduce the Spread of CWD

After the close of deer season, MDC staff work on a voluntary basis with landowners to remove additional deer from mid-January to mid-March in the immediate areas around where CWD has been found. Increasing the number of deer removed in areas where CWD has been found increases the chances of removing more infected deer. Targeted removals also serve to lower the number of deer in these areas. By removing infected deer and lowering deer numbers in these localized areas, targeted removals help to slow the spread of CWD and protect Missouri’s deer population. Limiting the number of CWD-infected deer in an area also helps minimize the accumulation of CWD in the local environment.

Targeted removal is an effective method of slowing the spread of CWD in a local deer population. States such as Illinois have successfully slowed the spread of CWD through targeted removals. Learn more about targeted removal in Illinois.

MDC does not conduct targeted removals on a county-wide level. Targeted removal only occurs in locations within about two miles of CWD detections. The exact size of the removal operation depends on the number of positives detected and where they were found on the landscape.

Targeted Removal Is Voluntary for Landowners

MDC staff always get permission from affected landowners before targeted removal occurs. Landowners have the choice to allow or refuse targeted removal on their lands. Participating landowners either get written authorization from MDC to remove deer on their land or give permission to trained MDC staff to remove deer.

Methods Used During Targeted Removal

Targeted removal is not deer hunting; it is a disease management tool. Therefore, to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of targeted removal, landowners and MDC staff can use methods that are not allowed during the deer hunting season. These methods include the use of spotlights and bait. Without use of these methods, the number of deer that would be removed during targeted removal would be significantly less, thus reducing the effectiveness of targeted removal to slow the spread of CWD.

How Many Deer Are Removed During Targeted Removal?

MDC establishes a deer removal goal in each CWD Core Area where targeted removals occur. The number of deer removed during targeted removal in most CWD Core Areas is considerably less than the number of deer removed during the regular deer hunting season.

What Happens to Deer Removed During Targeted Removal?

Deer removed through targeted removal that do not test positive for CWD are offered to the participating landowners or donated to the Share the Harvest program for local food banks and food pantries. Deer that test positive for CWD are properly disposed of by MDC staff or by meat processors.

Increased Landowner Harvest During Deer Season

During deer season, landowners with five or more acres in CWD Core Areas (areas within about two miles of where CWD has been found) can receive CWD Management Permits, which allow the harvest of deer above and beyond statewide and county-level bag limits (see CWD Management Permit FAQs).