By Blake Jackson
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reminding deer hunters about several important updates for the 2025-2026 hunting season, including new rules concerning chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other regulatory changes.
Full details can be found in the 2025 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, on the MDC MO Hunting app, or online at mdc.mo.gov.
Carcass Movement and Disposal
The previous rule banning the transport of high-risk deer parts, such as the brain and spinal cord, outside the county of harvest has been removed. Hunters must now dispose of any unused parts in the trash that goes to a sanitary landfill or leave them on the property where the deer was taken.
All deer must be Telechecked before being moved out of the harvest county or by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. However, interstate movement restrictions for bringing deer, elk, moose, or caribou into Missouri remain unchanged.
CWD Management Zone Updates
Counties newly added to the CWD Management Zone include Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Daviess, Harrison, Henry, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Ralls, St. Louis, and Texas.
These areas are now open during the CWD Portion of firearms season, and the placement of feed or minerals is prohibited. The antler-point restriction has also been lifted in several of these counties.
CWD Sampling Programs
Voluntary CWD testing will be available statewide from September 15 through January 15 at MDC offices, freezer drop-off sites, and participating processors.
Mandatory CWD sampling will take place on November 15 and 16 in designated CWD Management Zone counties during the opening weekend of firearms season.
Bag Limits and Permits
Youth hunters may now harvest more than one deer during the Early Youth Portion of firearms season, while still adhering to the statewide one-antlered-buck limit.
Additionally, hunters can fill up to four firearms antlerless permits in certain counties, and resident landowners across Missouri are now standardized to receive two Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Permits.
Photo Credit: pexels-jim-fawns
Categories: Missouri, Government & Policy