The Missouri Department of Conservation has tallied the final results from their 2015-2016 fall and winter chronic wasting disease testing.
The program, which tested nearly 7,700 free-range deer, resulted in seven new and confirmed cases of the disease, bringing the statewide total up to 33 cases since the disease was discovered in Missouri deer back in 2010.
In light of these recent findings and in the departments continued efforts to contain the disease, mandatory testing will be implemented for the first weekend of the fall firearms season. During the weekend of November 12th and 13th, 2016, hunters across 29 counties, who all reside within a 25 mile radius of affected sites, will have to present their deer for testing at a sanctioned MDC testing location.
“We are in the process of working out the logistics for this important CWD‐testing effort and will have more details this summer and fall,” explained MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Kelly Straka. “We will be providing several locations in each of the 29 counties to help make getting their deer tested as convenient as possible for hunters.”
In addition to mandatory testing sites, the department continues to work closely with meat processors and taxidermists in the 29 counties, providing free testing services during upcoming deer hunting seasons.
