Department of Conservation Tests for Chronic Wasting Disease

The Missouri Department of Conservation will be testing for Chronic Wasting Disease during the opening weekend of the firearms season.

The disease is spread through the environment and improper disposal of deer carcasses. The Conservation Department spokesman Francis Scalicky says the number of cases is low in part because the department regularly tests for it.

Only 86 of more than 3200 deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease between July of 2021 and April 2022.