Jefferson City, MO | April 8, 2014 - Legislation is currently working its way through the Missouri Senate (SB964) and House of Representatives (HB2031) to change the classification of captive cervids (deer) from "wildlife" to "livestock."

The legislation aims to transfer control of captive cervids from the Department of Conservation to the Department of Agriculture. The opposition is pushing hard for passage of the legislation and has been very vocal at the Capitol. It's time for the public deer hunters to be heard.

Some legislators are in favor of forcing captive cervid control on the Department of Agriculture, even though at legislative hearings held for both bills, an official Department of Agriculture representative testified in opposition of the transfer. The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Conservation both believe MDC should manage whitetail deer. The Conservation Federation of Missouri agrees.

We will meet at the CFM office between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on April 16, and then walk down to the Capitol to meet with legislators until noon. From 12noon until 1 p.m. there will be lunch served at the CFM office.

CFM will provide packets of information pertaining to the dangers of CWD and the role the captive cervid industry plays in the spread of wildlife diseases, including CWD.

If you do not know who your legislators are, use the links below:

To find your Senator, visit www.senate.mo.gov
To find your Representative, visit www.house.mo.gov

We advise contacting legislator offices to set up appointments to meet with them face-to-face on the morning of the 16th.

*A drawing will be held and one attendee will win a trail camera. All you have to do is show up.