The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is currently changing the regulations to deer season. The changes are to make it easier on hunters, as well as to keep CWD from spreading. [1]
CWD Portion
One of the things the MDC is changing is removing the CWD portion of firearms in the CWD Management Zone counties. The reasoning behind getting rid of this season is because there is not a significant increase in the harvest of deer during that time. It will also simplify the structure of deer season for hunters.
CWD Management Zone
Another thing the MDC is getting rid of is the CWD Management Zone. According to MDC, eliminating the CWD Management Zone will simplify related regulations to minimize the impacts of CWD on Missouri’s deer herd. This change would allow mandatory CWD sampling to be conducted in selected counties to detect the disease as early as possible where it exists.
Antler Point Restriction
The third thing MDC is removing is the antler point restriction. The thought process of getting rid of the antler point restriction is in hopes of reducing CWD.
Acreage
The final thing the MDC is changing is the acreage increase for CWD management permits. Beginning in 2026, landowners will be required to have at least 20 acres in a CWD core area to receive CWD Management Permits.
Thoughts
If you have thoughts on these changes, you can write a comment from January 16, 2026, through February 14, 2026, at this link. After the comment period, the MDC committee will review the comments and decide what to officially change for next year’s deer season.
