Driftwood Outdoors Podcast · Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

Ep. 290: Missouri DOGE Hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

April 22, 2025·59 min·5 clips

CWD-infected deer have only a 40% chance of surviving the year, compared to 80% for healthy deer.

This episode features host Brandon Butler sharing an audio recording of a Missouri Senate committee hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The hearing was called due to numerous citizen reports submitted through the state's Government Efficiency Portal (DOGE). The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) was represented by Director Jason Sumners, Science Branch Chief Dr. Sherry Russell, and Commissioner Ray Wagner. The hearing covered the nature of CWD, a fatal prion disease transmitted through deer contact and environmental contamination. MDC officials stated the disease has been detected in 45 Missouri counties, with over half having found fewer than ten positive cases. The discussion traced Missouri's response, including interstate carcass import restrictions around 2009 and intrastate movement rules around 2015. A key management tactic discussed is mandatory sampling of deer harvested on the opening weekend of firearm season, which accounts for nearly 40% of the annual harvest. The department's post-season targeted removal program, modeled after Illinois's approach, was described as completely voluntary for landowners. Officials explained that CWD likely spreads through natural deer dispersal and the improper disposal of infected carcasses from hunting or processing. The possibility of introducing genetically resistant deer to wild populations was considered but deemed non-viable due to breeding dynamics and scale. Senators inquired about resource allocation, prompting a defense of wildlife disease management as a public health adjacency. Dr. Russell cited CDC recommendations for testing deer from CWD areas prior to human consumption, noting the species barrier makes human risk low but not zero. Director Sumners detailed the department's public engagement process, referencing 22 public meetings held in 14 months during a 2014-15 deer management planning period. He emphasized the use of surveys to quantify hunter sentiment beyond anecdotal emails. The tone of the hearing is formal and educational, with senators asking pointed questions for clarification on science and policy. The host, Brandon Butler, provides introductory and concluding commentary that is supportive of the MDC and Director Sumners. This episode would interest Missouri hunters, landowners, and anyone concerned about wildlife disease management or state-level bureaucratic processes. Listeners seeking a highly produced narrative or debate-style podcast might find the raw hearing audio less engaging.

As heard by us

A practical look at CWD management that stays with the science and the politics.

This episode keeps its focus on Missouri's chronic wasting disease response without leaning into panic. It explains what prions can do, what they probably do not do, and why wildlife managers still treat deer-to-deer spread as the main problem.

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Why you'd press play

You want a grounded read on Missouri's CWD fight.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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