CWD Cases Rise In Wyoming’s Deer And Elk Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease is an ongoing concern for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and you can expect samples to continue to be collected during big game hunting seasons in 2026.

WGFD has just released its 2025 CWD report, and there's no doubt that CWD is present in Wyoming. There were 5,370 deer, elk, and moose samples collected, and CWD was found in 842 of those samples.

CWD was first detected in 1985 in Mule Deer in Southeastern Wyoming, and Elk in 1986. Now, it has been found in 35 of Wyoming's 37 Mule Deer herds and 111 of 127 Mule Deer hunt areas, as well as in 50 of Wyoming's 105 Elk hunt areas. The data from last season showed that CWD was found in three new deer hunt areas and six new elk hunt areas.

WGFD.WYO.GOV explains what CWD is:

CWD is a fatal disease of the central nervous system in mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. It belongs to a group of rare diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. These disorders are caused by abnormally folded proteins called prions.

There's no cure for CWD, which is why it's important to participate in the surveillance program and submit a sample of your animal. The testing is free, and collecting a sample only takes a few minutes.

To support the fight against CWD in Wyoming, there are a couple of things you can do.

• Submit a sample of your harvested animal (Elk, Deer, or Moose) to help with the surveillance program.
• Report sick animals that could be affected by CWD.
  • Some of the signs are: affected animals show progressive weight loss, reluctance to move, excessive salivation, droopy ears, increased drinking and urinating, lethargy, and death.
• Know the proper way to transport and dispose of your animal carcass.

Learn more about CWD, testing, and collecting samples at WGFD.WYO.GOV