The Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer hunt area 128. The mule deer buck that tested positive was harvested by a hunter about 12 miles north of Dubois on October 8, and sampled for CWD at a check station near Crowheart.  CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose. This is the first time CWD has been found in deer in hunt area 128, which is adjacent to deer area 171, an area with CWD.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved an updated CWD Management Plan earlier this year. The department is implementing that plan and received additional funding to hire two contract employees who will monitor elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming during the elk feeding season to increase CWD detection efforts among feedground elk.

“This additional effort allows Game and Fish to more actively monitor and take necessary actions as this disease spreads west and closer to elk feedgrounds. We appreciate all of the help we receive from hunters and the public, and this adds another dimension to our existing, surveillance program, ” Game and Fish wildlife division deputy chief, Scott Edberg said. 

Game and Fish is reminding hunters that they play a significant role in monitoring the distribution of this disease and provide valuable information for managing CWD.  If you see a deer, elk or moose that appears to be sick or not acting in a normal manner, please contact your local game warden, wildlife biologist or Game and Fish office immediately. Game and Fish personnel collect and analyze more than 1,600 CWD samples annually throughout the state.

Please visit the Game and Fish website for more information on chronic wasting disease transmission and regulations on transportation and disposal of carcasses. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that people should not eat deer, elk or moose that test positive for CWD.