Multiple elk hunt areas in northeast Wyoming are targeted for brucellosis sampling this year.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus. Elk, bison and domestic cattle are susceptible to brucellosis, which may cause animals to abort calves and further transmit the disease. Brucellosis has been shown to slightly reduce pregnancy rates, but not limit, elk populations. The primary management concern is the possible transmission of brucellosis from elk or bison to domestic cattle

Hunters have long been an invaluable resource for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s efforts to collect biological samples for study and testing. This fall elk hunters in select elk hunt areas are again being asked to collect blood samples from their harvested animal to help in brucellosis surveillance efforts. 

Hunters in targeted elk hunt areas for the 2025 season are asked to help in data collection by taking a blood sample from their elk immediately after harvest with a Game and Fish sample kit, keeping it cool and submitting it soon-after harvest. 

In northeast Wyoming, the targeted elk hunt areas are: 1, 2, 113, 116, 117, 122, 123 and 126. Other elk hunt areas in the state are also targeted for sampling.

Sample kits will be mailed to hunters in the targeted elk hunt areas about two weeks prior to the opening date of that particular hunt area and license type. Not all hunters will receive a kit, making it particularly important for those hunters who do receive a kit and harvest an animal, to submit a sample.

Hunters are urged to wear latex/nitrile gloves while field dressing and collecting the sample. The sample should be kept cool and not allowed to freeze or spoil. Please fill out the requested information on the enclosed card and return the kit to a biologist or game warden in the field, at a check station, a Game and Fish regional office or drop the prepaid box with the sample in the mail.

Hunters who don’t harvest an elk this year should not mail back an empty kit but save the blood kit for a future hunt or return it unused to a Game and Fish office or field personnel.

Hunters who submit a usable sample for testing will be entered into a raffle for prizes.