The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will monitor the prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) with mandatory sampling in Deer Hunt Areas 157 and 171 and preferred sampling in Deer Hunt Areas 36, 92, 94, 128 and 160. CWD is a chronic, fatal disease of the central nervous system in deer, elk and moose, and monitoring disease prevalence in wildlife populations is critical to understanding population dynamics. These hunt areas in the Lander Region are just a handful of the total units being monitored statewide for CWD in deer and elk this year.

To help make sample collection as easy as possible, there are several ways to get your deer tested:

1. At a meat processor—If you’re taking your deer to a processor, let them know you need samples taken. They will save the deer’s head for later collection by WGFD.  

2. WGFD Office - WGFD personnel will usually be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Lander Regional Office, 260 Buena Vista Dr., Lander, to sample your harvested deer. However, you may have to leave the animal’s head if personnel are not immediately available.  

3. WGFD personnel -If you harvest your deer on a weekend or after the hours listed above, you can contact WGFD personnel at 307-714-2190. If no one answers, please leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

4. Stations - WGFD will also have several sample/head drop-off kiosks and game check stations throughout the season and area as follows:

• Self-serve sample drop-off and CWD Kit/Information kiosks from Oct. 1– Nov. 30 located at:
  • Hines General Store parking lot, 14597 US HWY 287, Fort Washakie (next to the Wind River Tribal Fish and Game office)
  • Sutherlands parking lot, 1960 N. Federal Blvd., Riverton
  • Crowheart Fire Station, 8531 US HWY 26, Crowheart
• Game check stations at the Diversion Dam Rest Area on U.S. HWY 26 (Oct. 5-6, Oct. 12-13, and Oct. 26-27).  

5. Collect it yourself – Collect a sample yourself by watching the online instructional video, complete a submission form and drop off the sample and form at one of the WGFD locations/check stations above, any regional office during normal business hours or send it to the Wildlife Health Lab. 

    

For instructions and more information, please visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/wyoming-wildlife/wildlife-disease-and-health/chronic-wasting-disease 

If desired, hunters who submit CWD samples from harvested animals can access laboratory test results within a couple of weeks through the Game and Fish website. Test results from samples submitted to the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Lab are provided at no cost. Expedited CWD testing is also available through the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for a $40 fee. Hunters who do not wish to receive test results can notify the Game and Fish staff receiving the sample, or write a comment on the submitted paperwork.

If CWD is detected in a harvested animal, the hunter may discard the meat at an approved disposal location without violating wanton waste laws. If detected, the CWD report from the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Lab serves as permission to dispose of edible portions. To date, there have been no cases of CWD in humans and no direct proof that humans can get CWD; however, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend not consuming meat from animals with CWD.

Please remember to discard all big game carcasses in accordance with regulations. Improper disposal can introduce diseases to new areas. A map of approved disposal locations is available.