How to remove lymph nodes for Chronic Wasting Disease testing
Other ways CWD samples may be collected/submitted:
- Check Stations - Animals harvested within the state of Wyoming may be tested in association with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department's CWD surveillance at check stations established throughout the state during big game seasons
- In the field – Your harvested animal may be sampled when in contact with a game warden, wildlife biologist, or other employees who are collecting CWD samples
- Select meat processors and taxidermists - A Game and Fish employee may be present in certain locations in the days surrounding season opening dates. Availability varies greatly across the state.
- Game and Fish regional offices - Your harvested deer, elk, or moose may be sampled at our regional offices. In most cases, you may need to leave the head at the office until a warden or biologist is available to sample your animal.
- Alternatively, hunters may also have their animal tested at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for a fee.
- There is no charge for animals harvested in Wyoming being tested by the WGFD Wildlife Health Laboratory. Animals harvested outside of Wyoming will need to be sent to a commercial laboratory.
What should I do once I submit a sample for CWD testing?
Consider quartering and freezing your game meat until CWD results are available. If you collected the samples yourself, it is also recommended that you retain the head until it is confirmed that the correct tissues were submitted to the laboratory. Hunters will not be notified of results, but can access them through their sportsperson's account, typically within three weeks.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department tests samples for CWD to improve our understanding of the distribution of the disease in Wyoming. This helps us understand herd health and population dynamics. Game and Fish does not provide human health guidelines. The following recommendations are made based on the current stance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- If the animal you harvested tests positive for CWD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you do not consume the animal's meat.
- While there are no reported cases of CWD infections in humans, non-human primates (monkeys) have experienced sickness from CWD. These results raise concerns that there may be a health risk to humans.
If your harvested game tests positive for CWD, Game and Fish allows the meat to be discarded without violation of wanton waste laws. Your confirmation of a CWD-positive test result provided by the lab where the sample was processed serves as proof that you are allowed to discard the meat. Meat should be properly disposed of in an approved municipal landfill.
License fees, game processing fees or other incidental expenses will not be refunded.
If you have questions about your test result or regulations governing the disposal of meat, please contact the Wildlife Health Lab:
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Wildlife Health Laboratory
1174 Snowy Range Road
Laramie, WY 82070.
Ph: (307) 745-5865
If you have questions about human health concerns, please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Wyoming Department of Health.