Due to the regular amending of regulations in Missouri, it is recommended that before hunting you check these CWD regulations, as well as those of any other states or provinces in which you will be hunting or traveling through while transporting cervid carcasses. The contact information for Missouri can be seen below:
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) oversees the permitting of captive cervid facilities raising white-tailed deer and big game hunting preserves. The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) oversees the USDA Herd Certification program in Missouri. Elk raised for human consumption are regulated by MDA. Contact for MDC: Dr. Sherri Russell, State Wildlife Veterinarian, Sherri.Russell@mdc.mo.gov, (573) 522-4115 x3617. Contact Person for MDA: Dr. Sarah Reinkemeyer, State Epidemiologist, Sarah.Reinkemeyer@mda.mo.gov, (573) 751-2251.
Standard Regulations
In addition to standard regulations, see the CWD regulations for captive cervids and wildlife.
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
Importation of live white-tailed deer, mule deer, and their hybrids prohibited; fencing standards, including single 8’ fence with specifications for construction; mandatory CWD testing in all mortalities over six months of age; record keeping requirements (5 year retention of all purchases and sales); 5-year prohibition on the construction of new captive cervid facilities within 25 miles of any confirmed CWD-positive deer; holding of white-tailed deer, mule-deer and their hybrids in temporary exhibit facilities banned.
New CWD Regulations in Development
New captive cervid regulations have been designed in partnership with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Industry representation and the Missouri Department of Conservation and are moving through the approval process (tentatively effective in August, 2021). These regulations will both improve surveillance and reduce financial burden.
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
"All wildlife breeders and must meet minimum testing requirements . Additionally, MDC regulations require CWD testing for all mortalities over the age of 12-months. Big Game Hunt Preserves must test 50% of harvested males. There are minimum testing requirements for all permitted facilities.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
Since 2001, over 152,300 free-ranging deer have been tested for CWD in Missouri. Surveillance focuses on mandatory sampling of hunter-harvested deer opening weekend of firearms season in CWD Management Zone counties, sampling of hunter-harvested male deer by taxidermists throughout the state, targeted sampling of sick deer statewide, and testing of deer culled post-season for disease management in areas with CWD.
Baiting Banned?
Hunting deer, turkey and waterfowl over bait has been prohibited for many years in Missouri.
Feeding Banned?
Grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable natural or manufactured products used to attract deer are prohibited in 29 "CWD Management Zone" counties.
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
Current regulations prohibit the importation of whole cervid carcasses or carcass parts with the spinal column or head attached with the exception of heads delivered to taxidermists within 48 hours of entry to the state. Additionally, high-risk parts from deer harvested within CWD Management Zone counties in Missouri may not be transported out of the county of harvest with the exception of parts delivered to a meat processor or taxidermist within 48 hour of exiting the county and heads being transported to Department-approved CWD sampling sites.
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
In 2010 and 2011 CWD-positive captive white-tailed deer were detected at two (2) big game hunting preserves in Northcentral Missouri (in Linn and Macon counties). In total, eleven (11) CWD-positive deer were removed from these facilities.
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
Two CWD-positive free-ranging deer were first detected in the state in 2012 (in Macon County). As of April 2021, a total of 206 free-ranging white-tailed deer in 18 counties have been detected in Missouri.