The Missouri Department of Conservation has added 12 new counties to its list of those requiring hunters to bring in their deer to test for chronic wasting disease, or CWD, on the opening weekend of deer season.

CWD kills the deer it infects after misfolded proteins in the brain impair basic motor functions, such as eating and moving. It spreads primarily by contact, so early identification of cases is crucial.

The increase in counties requiring mandatory testing does not indicate a major uptick in disease in the area. It is meant to catch initial CWD cases in a county, or in the surrounding 10 miles, so as to halt any further spread.

MDC Science Program Coordinator Jason Isabelle said opening weekend sampling, especially in regions recently added to the mandatory testing zone, provid

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