Hunters are asked to submit deer heads at locations across Mississippi to help MDWFP manage the disease which is always fatal for deer.

In the continued effort to manage chronic wasting disease in Mississippi’s deer herd, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is again asking hunters to have their deer tested for CWD. Since the disease was first detected in Mississippi in 2018, there have been 318 cases in the state as of Sept. 27.

According to MDWFP, knowing where the disease is in the state allows the department to put special regulations in place to help slow the spread of the disease, which is always fatal in deer. Also, hunters should be know if their deer is infected because even though there have been no documented cases of CWD in humans, the CDC warns people against eating the meat of an infected deer.

The department has placed freezers at 59 locations across the state where hunters can leave heads for testing. Antlers may be removed before dropping off the heads and hunters are asked to leave at least 6 inches of neck attached to the heads and to keep the heads cool or frozen before submitting them.

Chronic wasting disease testing drop-off sites

• Love VFD7345 US 51 SouthHernando, MS 3863234.7526, -89.9913
• Mt. Pleasant VFD194 Mt. Pleasant RoadRed Banks, MS 3866134.9561, -89.5226
• Wall Doxey State Park3946 MS 7Holly Springs, MS 3863534.6630, -89.4647
• Benton County 911 Dispatch368 Ripley AvenueAshland, MS 3860334.8326, -89.1813
• Walnut VFD660 Main StreetWalnut, MS 3868334.9405, -88.9013
• MSU Extension Office2200 Old Hwy 45 SouthCorinth, MS 3883434.9125, -88.5465
• Tishomingo County Fairgrounds108 County Road 187Iuka, MS 3885234.7882, -88.2178
• Hell Creek WMA4120 County Road 825Myrtle, MS 3865034.6199, -89.0644
• Panola County EMS100 MSG William J Ferrell DriveSardis, MS 3866634.4400, -89.8997
• Fire Station 1401 McElroy DriveOxford, MS 3865534.3800, -89.5318
• New Albany Fairgrounds112 Fairgrounds CircleNew Albany, MS 3865234.5127, -89.0329
• Pontotoc Ag Center430 CJ Hardin Jr. DrivePontotoc, MS 3886334.2552, -89.0286
• Elvis Presley Lake272 Road 995Tupelo, MS 3882634.3046, -88.6474
• Canal Section WMA HQ5705 MS 178 WestFulton, MS 3884334.2614, -88.4511
• O’Keefe WMAO’Keefe RoadLambert, MS 3864334.1165, -90.2735
• North Region Office457 County Road 36Enid, MS 3892734.1565, -89.9127
• MDOT Maintenance HQ32988 MS 32Oakland, MS 3894834.0057, -89.9806
• Chickasaw WMA770 MS 32 ExtHouston, MS 3885133.9861, -88.9356
• Dahomey NWR831 MS 446Boyle, MS 3873033.7042, -90.9108
• Deviney WMA171 Hughes-Ertle RoadIndianola, MS 3875133.5876, -90.6361
• Fire Department #4412 MS 7Greenwood, MS. 3893033.5209, -90.1514
• Malmaison WMA126 Malmaison HQ RoadHolcomb, MS 3894033.6840, -90.0512
• MS Forestry Commission1801 US 51 SouthGrenada, MS 3890133.6991, -89.7629
• American Legion Building8243 MS 9Eupora, MS 3974433.6311, -89.2877
• Trim Cane WMA2025 North Jackson StreetStarkville, MS 3975933.5248, -88.8462
• Black Prairie WMA744 Fire Tower RoadCrawford, MS 3974333.3396, -88.5618
• Choctaw WMA2121 Webster RoadAckerman, MS 3973533.2737, -89.1267
• Yockanookany WMA28329 MS 12McCool, MS 3910833.1665, -89.4258
• Fire Station 3257 Gum StreetPhiladelphia, MS 3935032.7744, -89.1215
• Holmes County State Park5369 State Park RoadDurant, MS 3906333.0271, -89.9206
• District 3 VFD171 Old Benton RoadYazoo City, MS 3919432.8411, -90.3840
• Yazoo NWR728 Yazoo Refuge RoadHollandale, MS 3874833.0700, -90.9778
• Valley Park Community Center64 Kelso RoadValley Park, MS 3917732.6335, -90.8709
• Mahannah WMA1370 Anderson-Tully RoadRedwood, MS 3915632.5490, -90.8708
• Phil Bryant WMA11641 MS 465Vicksburg, MS 3918332.4556, -90.9733
• Communication Specialist760 US 61 NorthVicksburg, MS 3918332.3552, -90.8283
• LeFleur’s Bluff State Park3315 Lakeland TerraceJackson, MS 3921632.3317, -90.1499
• Pearl River WMA506 MS 43 SouthCanton, MS 3904632.5234, -89.9704
• Caney Creek WMA6373 West Moore Tower RoadForest, MS 3907432.3247, -89.5051
• Collinsville VFD11710 Nancy DriveCollinsville, MS 3932532.4974, -88.8475
• All Creatures Veterinary Hospital1011 St. Mark DrivePort Gibson, MS 3915031.9675, -90.9802
• Canemount WMA17059 Rodney RoadPort Gibson, MS 3915031.9233, -91.1305
• MSU Extension Office2040 West Gallman RoadHazlehurst, MS 3908331.9252, -90.4073
• MSU Extension Office2785 US 49Mendenhall, MS 3911431.9210, -89.8112
• MSU Extension Office101 Westwood AvenueQuitman, MS 3935532.0426, -88.7395
• Natchez State Park230-B Wickcliff RoadNatchez, MS 3912031.6026, -91.2347
• Jeff Davis Lake16 Lake DrivePrentiss, MS 3947431.5649, -89.8444
• MSU Extension Office68 Collins Industrial Park DriveCollins, MS 3942831.6757, -89.5864
• Bogue Homa Lake149 Bogue Homa Lake RoadLaurel, MS 3944331.7027, -89.0246
• Wilkinson County Sheriff1389 US 61 SouthWoodville, MS 3966931.0861, -91.3002
• Pike County Co-Op105 Nehi CircleMcComb, MS 3964831.2308, -90.4517
• Marion County WMA652 Game Reserve RoadColumbia, MS 3942931.1741, -89.7327
• Purvis VFD805 Main StreetPurvis, MS 3947531.1517, -89.4122
• Leaf River WMAForest Service Road 353McLain, MS 3945630.9902, -88.8651
• Pearl River County Fairgrounds124 Rodeo StreetPoplarville, MS 3947030.8329, -89.5474
• Emergency Operations Center18333 MS 603Kiln, MS 3955630.4369, -89.4327
• Little Biloxi WMA HQHickman Tower RoadPerkinston, MS 3957330.7337, -89.2635
• Fire Station 823560 Old Still RoadSaucier, MS 3957430.6325, -89.1384
• Lower Pascagoula WMA816 Wade Vancleave RoadMoss Point, MS 3956530.5668, -88.6307

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State football gets the unfortunate distinction of welcoming the Manning family back to SEC when it faces No. 1 Texas on Saturday.

It’s unclear who will start at quarterback for the Longhorns, but with Quinn Ewers being listed as questionable in the latest Student-Athlete Availability Report, Bulldog fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Arch Manning lined up at quarterback Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs are dealing with their own quarterback injuries, but their starting quarterback has already been announced.

True freshman Michael Van Buren will start for Mississippi State against the top-ranked Longhorns and their defense that ranks fifth nationally in total defense.

It may be the most difficult first-time collegiate start considering how the Bulldogs have performed in the first four games of 2024 (1-3 overall, 0-1 SEC). Van Buren, a 4-star recruit, faces a Goliath that David-himself might not want to face.

But, nevertheless, kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Saturday.

Score a touchdown?

That may seem like a low hurdle to clear, but consider what it would mean for Van Buren to score the first touchdown of the season against the Longhorns’ defense?

Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA and Louisiana-Monroe all failed to score a touchdown against Texas. If Van Buren can throw a touchdown pass or run for one, that’ll be a huge indicator of his potential.

To be blunt, Van Buren leading a drive that ends with a touchdown of any kind should be considered a success.

Yes, it’s a low hurdle. But maybe it isn’t so low if you consider Texas is nearly a 40-point favorite to win Saturday at DKR-Memorial Stadium.

Will Arch Manning Start Against Mississippi State? Texas QB Situation Remains Unclear

Mississippi State Football Coach Jeff Lebby vs. Texas: A Tale of Two Red River Game
Mississippi State vs. Texas: Updated Gameday Weather Forecast

Texas vs. Mississippi State: Bold Predictions for a Historic Matchup

Mississippi State football will look to end its three-game losing streak against the nation’s number-one team, Texas. None of the struggles this season for Mississippi State under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby are as prevalent as the defense’s poor play.

The Mississippi State defense has been atrocious, giving up 45 points last week to a struggling Florida offense. However, the group can rally the troops in a huge game, but who will need to step up for that to happen?

Trevion Williams

The Mississippi State defensive line has been problematic in terms of play and injuries this season. Williams garnered a lot of hype coming into the season due to his talent but had struggled with injuries in the past.

However, the former four-star has remained healthy this season but has produced little to no value. Someone on this defensive line has to step up and make an impact, and Willams has by far the most upside, but he has to show it on the field.

Kelley Jones

Jones was another guy who came into the season with a lot of hype and has played well for a redshirt freshman. However, the speedy corner has yet to force a turnover, and if Mississippi State wants to pull the upset, forcing a couple of mistakes is vital.

Texas will undoubtedly test the Mississippi State secondary early in this game, and if Jones can make a play, it may cause the Longhorns to adjust their game plan.

Zakari Tillman

With this season being a rebuilding year for Mississippi State, many young players will likely get extended reps in games. Tillman looks impressive when he is on the field, and he is the size of an SEC linebacker.

The Florence, Miss. native will face his stiffest test to this point in his career. How will he respond?

Mississippi State Football: How the Bulldogs Can Show Progress Against Texas

Mississippi State Football: Freshman QB to Start Against No. 1 Texas

Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby Makes Key Adjustments vs. Florida, Inspires Hope