CWD in Missouri: Why Some Deer Hunters Say No

 

 

Why Chronic Wasting Disease is changing hunter behavior and what it means for Joplin’s urban hunt.

Across Missouri, deer hunters are quietly making a choice: to sit out the season. While the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) continues to promote its deer management programs, including urban bow hunting ordinances like the one passed in Joplin in 2025, on Joplin MO  many hunters are opting out not because of lack of interest, but because of growing concern over Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Image of Whitetail deer with text overlay "hunt inUS with no CWD" encourages deer hunters to not hunt in CWD managed states


CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and other cervids. It spreads through saliva, urine, feces, and carcasses, and it can persist in soil and vegetation for years. According to the research I found that a deer infected with CWD may appear perfectly healthy, and the only way to confirm infection is through post-mortem testing. 

In 2023, a CWD-positive deer was detected in Jasper County, prompting MDC to add both Jasper and Newton Counties where Joplin is located—to the CWD Management Zone. This designation triggered expanded surveillance and funding for disease mitigation. Yet despite this, Missouri does not require mandatory testing for deer harvested during archery season, even in confirmed CWD zones. Bow hunters in Joplin can legally harvest deer starting September 15, with no testing, no signage, and no public tracking of CWD-positive deer.

image shows that a healthy deer can be infected with CWD


This policy gap is not going unnoticed. According to the Moberly Monitor, hunters across Missouri are voicing frustration over MDC’s CWD management practices. Some argue that inconsistent testing and mass culling do more harm than good. Others say they no longer trust the safety of the meat or the integrity of the system. And many are choosing not to hunt in Missouri at all.  This quiet boycott isn’t just about disease. It’s about trust. Hunters want clear guidance, consistent enforcement, and honest communication. They want to know that the deer they harvest are safe to eat, and that the land they hunt on isn’t silently contaminated. In urban areas like Joplin, where bow hunting is now legal on small parcels near homes and trails, the stakes are even higher.

If Missouri wants to preserve its hunting heritage and protect public health, it must address the concerns of its most experienced hunters. Voluntary testing is not enough. Silence is not a strategy. And the decision to walk away from the hunt may be the loudest message of all.

CWD Testing & Public Health Guidance

According to public online research the recommendations to hunters in areas with known Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) presence are advised to test harvested deer and avoid consuming meat from animals that test positive. This guidance is consistent with both federal and state-level public health recommendations, including wildlife agencies that oversee CWD management zones. Responsible testing protects both human health and wildlife populations.

Author Disclaimer

This article reflects my independent research, field documentation, and advocacy experience as a long-term observer of whitetail deer behavior in Joplin, Missouri. All ordinance references, ethical standards, and statistical data are cited from publicly available sources listed above. No part of this post constitutes legal advice or official wildlife policy. Opinions expressed are my own, grounded in firsthand observation and community impact.

I do not accept misattribution, unauthorized edits, or AI-generated rewrites of this content. If you share or reference this article, please credit the original source and link back to this blog.