The Missouri Department of Conservation said it will conduct a targeted deer hunt north of Houston beginning in January after one whitetail was detected with Chronic Wasting Disease.
In a letter to landowners who are within two miles of the infected deer, the conservation department said it will conduct a voluntary targeted removal effort Jan. 16-March 15 until 110 deer are killed. The disease, the department said, threatens the state’s deer population, hunting culture and economy. “Removing additional deer during targeted removal slows the spread of CWD and protects the deer population,” it said in a Dec. 19 letter.
According to conservation department figures, 22,036 deer have been killed in targeted hunts since winter 2013.
Landowners have the option of participating (or anyone designated), allow training MDC staff to conduct the removal or decline. All deer that do not have CWD present are processed, and the venison is provided to landowners for free or donated to the “Share the Harvest” program that benefits the needy.
The targeted number is about 4.5 deer per square mile, which is less than the number killed during deer season, the department said. Once the goal is reached, the hunt will stop. If the number is reached, targeted removal will not occur in future years unless there is another CWD detection.
A public meeting is planned at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at the community building at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds on North U.S. 63.
To learn more, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/cwdremovals, call 417-256-7161 or email Bryan.Byrd@mdc.mo.gov.