Voluntary CWD Sampling

Voluntary Sampling September 15 to January 15

Hunters who harvest deer anywhere in Missouri throughout the entire deer hunting season — Sept. 15 through Jan. 15 — can get free CWD testing at select sites around the state. Get free test results online

On November 12th & 13th, all deer harvested within select CWD Management Zone counties must be taken to a MDC Mandatory Sampling Station.

Hunters who harvest deer in a CWD Management Zone county must follow carcass movement regulations.

CWD Voluntary Sampling Locations

Hunters can take their deer, or the head from their deer, to the sampling locations shown on the map. The map below shows available locations for the 2022–2023 deer season. Click on an icon for location details.

Select MDC Offices

MDC offices listed as voluntary sampling locations typically can accommodate sampling during normal business hours. However, hunters are encouraged to call beforehand to ensure staff are available when they arrive or to make an appointment.

Non-MDC Sampling Partners

Each year, MDC partners with taxidermists and meat processors to offer hunters additional locations to have their deer sampled. Availability and hours vary, so hunters should call participating businesses before taking their deer or deer head for sampling.

Freezer Drop-Off Locations

Self-serve freezers are available at these sites. Hunters will be responsible for packaging their deer heads and filling out an information tag. Directions, packing supplies, and tags will be available at the site. You will be asked to provide hunter name and phone number, county, township, range, and section or GPS coordinates of harvest location, and telecheck ID number for each deer. Tags lacking this information, or with illegible or smeared writing, will likely prevent you from obtaining your CWD test results.

On November 12th & 13th, all deer harvested within select CWD Management Zone counties must be taken to an MDC Mandatory Sampling Station. Drop-off freezers will be locked in these counties during this time to encourage compliance with the regulation. Freezers in Gasconade, St. Charles, Warren, and Knox counties will remain open as mandatory sampling isn’t required in those counties in 2022.

Call 573-815-7901 x3901 or email WildlifeHealth@mdc.mo.gov with questions about freezer drop sites.

Additional Opportunities

Hunters can also have harvested deer tested for CWD by contacting the State-Federal Cooperative Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Springfield at (417) 895-6861, or the University of Missouri Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory in Columbia at (573) 882-6811. There are fees for CWD testing at these facilities.