Deer hunters in Boone and 12 other counties will now be able to purchase a second firearm antlerless permit for the 2015-2016 deer season.
Until now hunters have only been able to obtain a second permit for hunting grounds near populated areas known as urban zones.
The change is part of an effort by the Missouri Department of Conservation to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease in the deer population. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal degenerative neurological disorder found in white-tailed deer and elk.
According to Wildlife Health Specialist Jasmine Batten the disease progresses relatively slowly.
“Basically if the deer gets the disease, they can not show symptoms up to eighteen months roughly. But once they do start showing symptoms, they just show a progressive decline in body condition, start having some odd behavior and ultimately the disease is fatal,” Batten said.
Batten said while it remains unknown how the disease is transmitted, deer on deer contact and environmental contamination are suspected.
Deer Biologist Jason Sumners hopes that this change in regulations will slow the spread of chronic wasting disease.
“Our management actions are really focused on trying to limit the spread. Once a disease becomes established in a population we know it will likely increase in prevalence and increase in distribution,” Sumners said.
Batten said at this time no research shows the disease to be a threat to humans or other domestic animals.
