Firearm deer hunters take note.
Mandatory deer sampling for chronic wasting disease in 30 Missouri counties has been changed to voluntary sampling during the opening weekend of November firearms deer season, according to the Missouri department of Conservation.
According to MDC, the change was prompted by ongoing cases and public-health concerns in Missouri regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The change will impact hunters who kill deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the firearms deer season (Nov. 14 and 15) in any of the 30 CWD Management Zone counties.
Those counties are: Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St.