Midwest Deer Hunting: Macon

Monday, October 6, 2014

MDC reminds deer hunters to properly dispose of carcasses

Proper deer-carcass disposal helps prevent the spread of deer-borne diseases.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters throughout the state to properly dispose of carcasses from harvested deer to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases in deer, such as the always-fatal chronic wasting disease (CWD).

“Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt deer, and deer hunters are key to keeping it that way,” says MDC Deer Biologist Jason Sumners. “Because many hunters process their own deer, they are key players in slowing the spread of diseases such as CWD. One way that disease can spread is by the transportation and improper disposal of carcass parts.”

Deer can become infected with chronic wasting disease if they come into contact with other infected deer or with surface soil containing carcass parts from diseased deer. Deer carcass parts known to concentrate CWD include brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Chronic wasting disease was first found in Missouri in Macon and Linn counties several years ago. In response, MDC established a CWD Containment Zone covering Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties. The disease remains limited to the local area.

“Hunters who harvest deer in these counties should not take whole deer carcasses out of the containment zone, or carcass parts that contain brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, or lymph nodes,” Sumners adds, along with the following information.

Proper Carcass Disposal

Avoid cutting through bones, spine, or brain when processing deer carcasses.
Remove meat in the field and leave the carcass behind. Bury it if possible.
If processing harvested deer in camp or at home, place carcass parts in trash bags and properly dispose of them through a trash service or landfill.
Take harvested deer to a licensed commercial processor to assure proper carcass disposal.
For taxidermy work, use a licensed taxidermist to assure proper carcass disposal.

Safe Parts to Transport

Meat that is cut and wrapped, or has been boned out,
Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spine or head attached,
Hides or capes from which all excess tissue has been removed,
Antlers, including antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue, and
Finished taxidermy products.

The Wildlife Code of Missouri requires hunters who harvest deer, elk, or moose out of state and bring the animal with the spinal column or head attached into Missouri to call toll free, 877-853-5665, and report the animal’s entry within 24 hours. They also must take the carcass to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 72 hours of entry. This is designed to prevent introducing CWD into new areas of Missouri from other states. Hunters transporting deer through Missouri en route to other states do not need to call the number.

Donate Tissue Samples

Sumners also encourages hunters who harvest deer within the CWD Containment Zone of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties to donate tissue samples from their deer to the Conservation Department for its CWD monitoring program. Numerous deer-processing facilities and taxidermists in the area are participating in the effort.

Details about these measures are listed in the 2014 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Informationbooklet, which is available at MDC offices and nature centers, where hunting permits are sold, and online atmdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/03/ftd2014.pdf.

Monday, May 28, 2012

MDC to hold open house on CWD next steps June 2 in Macon County

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease April, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Open house will be at New Cambria High School June 2 between 1-4 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold an informational open house on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Macon County on June 2 at New Cambria High School, 501 S. Main St. The public is invited to stop by 1-4 p.m.

MDC staff will provide information on five recently found cases of CWD in free-ranging deer in northwest Macon County, explain disease management actions the Department is taking, answer questions and provide information on managing private land for deer.

MDC’s disease-management steps to help contain the spread of CWD include two regulation changes to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, recommendations on transportation and disposal of deer carcasses and continuing CWD sampling of deer harvested in the area where CWD has been found.

Restriction on Feeding

The Conservation Commission approved a regulation change at its May 25 meeting that places a restriction on activities that are likely to unnaturally concentrate white-tailed deer and promote the spread of CWD. The ban on the placement of grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable natural or manufactured products is limited to the area where CWD has been found in Macon County and is comprised of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan counties.

The regulation includes exceptions for backyard feeding of birds and other wildlife within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building, or if feed is placed in such a manner to reasonably exclude access by deer. The regulation also includes exceptions for normal agricultural, forest management, crop and wildlife food production practices.

According to MDC Deer Biologist Jason Sumners, the reason for the regulation change is that activities such as feeding and placement of minerals/salts that artificially concentrate deer greatly increase the likelihood of disease transmission from animal to animal or from soil to animal.

Removal of Antler-Point Restriction

The Conservation Commission also approved a regulation change at its May 25 meeting for a special harvest provision that rescinds the antler-point restriction (four-point rule) in Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan counties.

According to Sumners, the reason for the regulation change is that management strategies such as antler-point restrictions, which protect yearling males and promote older bucks, have been found to increase prevalence rates and further spread the disease.

Sumners explained that yearling and adult male deer have been found to exhibit CWD at much higher rates than yearling and adult females so a reduction in the number of male deer can help reduce the spread of CWD. He added that the movement of young male deer from their birth range in search of territory and mates is also a way of expanding the distribution of CWD.

Don’t Remove Carcasses from Area

MDC also encourages hunters who harvest deer in Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties not to take whole deer carcasses or carcass parts out of the area where CWD has been found. Exceptions to this include meat that is cut and wrapped, meat that has been boned out, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, hides or capes from which all excess tissue has been removed, antlers, antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue, upper canine teeth and finished taxidermy products.

According to Sumners, the reason for this regulation change is that CWD can be transmitted from the environment to deer through soil and water that contain infected waste and/or infected carcasses. Deer can be infected with CWD but have no visible signs or symptoms. Moving harvested deer that still have parts known to concentrate CWD (brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, and lymph nodes) from the area known to have CWD can introduce the disease to other parts of the state through the improper disposal of carcasses.

He explained that hunters should make every attempt to avoid moving the head and spinal cord from the area and properly dispose of potentially infected deer carcasses, including bones and trimmings, to minimize the risk of exposure to uninfected deer. MDC advises hunters to double-bag carcass parts and take them directly to a landfill, or place them in trash cans for pick-up. Burying carcass waste deep enough to prevent scavengers from digging it up is another acceptable option. As a last resort, and only on their own land, hunters can put carcass waste back on the landscape. Carcasses should be put as close as possible to where the deer was harvested so as to not spread CWD-causing prions to new locations. If possible, put the carcass in a location where it will be inaccessible to scavengers and other deer.

Fall Harvest CWD Sampling

Sumners added that MDC will also continue to work with hunters who harvest deer this fall in Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan counties to collect samples for CWD testing. Details on these efforts are being developed and will be shared before the 2012 fall deer hunting season.