News – Friday, May 9th 2025

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports it has confirmed 243 new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Missouri deer in 35 counties. Texas County was one of the seven of that had their first CWD-positive case. The CWD-positive cases were found through sampling and testing of more than 36,000 deer during the past deer-hunting season and post-season targeted-removal efforts with most cases being from hunter-harvested deer submitted for sampling. The disease has been attributed to significant deer population declines in other states and threatens Missouri’s deer population, hunting culture, and economy. Most of the new CWD positive cases were from the more than 276,000 deer harvested during the 2024-2025 deer-hunting season. MDC confirmed an additional 70 cases of CWD found through its targeted-removal efforts of 4,768 deer after the close of the deer season in localized areas near where CWD has been found. MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Deb Hudman explained that the goal of targeted removal is to remove CWD-positive deer and reduce deer density in these localized areas to slow the spread of CWD and protect Missouri’s deer herd. Targeted removal is a proven method to slow the spread of CWD and Missouri is one of several states that uses it to manage the disease. Those new cases bring the total number of CWD positives found in the state to 815 over 46 counties since the first positive CWD case was found in wild deer by MDC in early 2012. Although the number of CWD-positive counties increased, Hudman noted that CWD management efforts have kept infection rates low. Hudman said that less than 1% of samples tested positive for CWD. Learn more about CWD at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each this month. MDC will offer 600 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears from three MDC black-bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2025 Missouri black-bear hunting season, October 18th-31st. MDC increased the number of available permits from 400 to 600 for additional hunter opportunities and lengthened the season to incorporate an additional weekend for hunting. Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the 2024 season with five being females and 10 being males. MDC will again also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run October 18th-26th and the elk firearms portion to run December 13th-21st. Missouri hunters harvested five bull elk during the 2024 season. Get more information on elk hunting and apply at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.

Agingbest wants to see every person live the best life possible. To help our community do this they are asking for volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities here are a few: meal delivery to home-bound clients, lawn care, technology education assistance, pet care assistance, and many more. Call 800-369-5211 to volunteer in one of the 19 counties in Central Missouri.

On Sunday, May 18th from 10:30 in the morning through 1:30 in the afternoon, amateur photographers are invited to join park team members on a photo tour of the Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park. Sponsored by the Onondaga Friends Association, these extended tours include extra time for photographs to be taken at specific locations along the tour route. Each tour begins at the visitor center located at 7556 Route H in Leasburg. The tours last between two and two and a half hours. Cave tour fees apply. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, a cool 57 degrees year-round and near 100% humidity. Participants should dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes and bring their own photography equipment. The tour will be limited to a maximum of 30 participants. Advance registration is preferred and done so by calling 573-522-1860.