Through calls, meetings, and an online survey, your input has been the driving force behind our efforts to address Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Because of your feedback, we have identified solutions and are taking the next steps to make meaningful changes. We recognize that these steps will be a challenge, and we fully expect pushback from the Department of Natural Resources—but this is where the fight begins.
CWD is a fatal disease of the central nervous system in deer and elk. Since its first detection in a northwest Boone County deer in 2002, state efforts to manage the disease have had a lasting impact—especially in House Minority Leader Tony McCombie’s legislative district.
Leader McCombie has made it a priority to listen to area residents and take their concerns to Springfield. She has engaged directly with the state agency responsible for CWD management and is now pursuing legislative solutions that reflect what you—the constituents—have asked for.
Moving Forward: Legislative Solutions Backed by Your Input
Based on overwhelming feedback from residents, Leader McCombie is advancing the following measures:
✅ End the CWD sharpshooting program entirely.
✅ Automatically phase out the sharpshooting program in any area that has not had a confirmed CWD case in three years.
✅ Encourage responsible hunting by allowing special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses for landowners with at least 20 acres in counties where CWD has been identified.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts on CWD management,” said Leader McCombie. “I heard your concerns, your frustrations, and your ideas. Because of you, I am putting forward legislation that represents our community’s voice. This is just the beginning, and I welcome your continued feedback as we fight for solutions that work. Your engagement is making a difference. Stay involved, stay informed, and let’s push for real change together.”