State
CWD rules in Missouri
CWD zone status
Agency
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
Last verified
June 16, 2026
CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.
Bringing a carcass into Missouri
Missouri is the regulating authority for what you can bring in. Fully verified via direct WebFetch of the official MDC page. Applies to imports from all states regardless of CWD status.
Allowed for import
- meat that is cut and wrapped or boned out
- quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
- hides from which all excess tissue has been removed
- antlers or antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue
- upper canine teeth
- finished taxidermy products
Restricted from import
- whole cervid carcasses
- head (except cape-attached head delivered to a taxidermist within 48 hours)
- spinal column
- brain tissue
Handling + processing
Whole cervid carcasses may not be transported into Missouri. Heads with cape attached and no more than six inches of neck may be brought in only if delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering the state. No longer a requirement to report incoming carcass parts to the MDC hotline.
Taking a carcass out of Missouri
When you hunt in Missouri and bring the carcass to another state, that destination state sets the rule. Because Missouri has confirmed CWD detections, several destination states apply their stricter "from a CWD-affected state" rule to carcasses originating here — plan to bring back lower-risk parts only.
Missouri on the CWD map
- CWD confirmed in state
- Under heightened surveillance
- No known CWD detections
Zone status is informational, not a hazard rating. Detections expand over time — confirm current status with each state's wildlife agency.
CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.