MDC Pauses Deer Culling to Rethink Strategy Against Chronic Wasting Disease

The Missouri Department of Conservation is pausing its post-season deer culling program to transition toward a more collaborative strategy with hunters and landowners. This shift aims to find a sustainable way to manage Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) while preserving the long-term health of Missouri's deer herd.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hitting the pause button on its post-season deer culling program, opting instead to work more closely with local hunters and landowners to fight Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

In an open letter, MDC Director Jason Sumners announced that the agency will stop its "targeted removals"—the practice of agency staff thinning deer herds after hunting season—to find a more "sustainable path forward."

CWD is a fatal brain disease that has been spreading through Missouri’s deer population since 2010. While some skeptics call it a "political" issue, Sumners warned that the science is clear: if left unchecked, the disease kills off older bucks and makes it harder for the herd to survive droughts or other outbreaks.

For years, the MDC has used strict rules to slow the disease, including:

• Restricting how deer carcasses are moved.

• Banning local feeding and mineral licks.

• Conducting staff-led deer removals in "hot zones."

While these efforts have slowed the spread, Sumners acknowledged that the agency needs better buy-in from the public. He emphasized that the health of the herd depends on hunters and landowners, not just government regulations.

The MDC recently piloted a "Hunter Harvest Initiative" to encourage hunters to take more deer during the regular season, potentially ending the need for state-led culling. By pausing the post-season removals now, the agency hopes to rebuild trust and create a unified strategy.

"Together, we can preserve the health of the herd and the future of hunting; divided, we may lose it," Sumners said.

The MDC is asking for public input on the future of deer management. Comments can be emailed to CWDFeedback@mdc.mo.gov.