chronic wasting disease

GILLETTE, Wyo. — Wildlife health officials tested over 5,200 samples for chronic wasting disease in 2024, noting an increase in prevalence for mule deer throughout the state, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. In its newly released 2024 CWD Surveillance Report, Game and Fish reported testing 5,276 samples from hunter-harvested, targeted and road-killed animals. Of t...

Mule deer populations have declined so much, according to G & F, that it is now "worrisome to wildlife managers and the public."

Deer hunters and other interested persons are invited by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to a public meeting to discuss chronic wasting disease (CWD) management within the Laramie Mountains Herd Unit (Hunt Areas 59, 60, 64). This herd unit has one of the highest prevalence rates of CWD in the state and any management actions taken will be done with public buy-in and participation, so assistan

According to several studies, the disease is most prominent in deer. It's not as frequently found in elk.

State veterinarian Marty Zaluski says they'll investigate to determine the source of the infection.

This year brought unsettling news for Montana hunters and lovers of wild game meat:

The move is aimed at preventing the potential spread of chronic wasting disease from deer to the human-fed elk population.

CWD has not made its way onto Wyoming's elk feedgrounds, but some fear it's only a matter of time.

The deer were killed in early November.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal nervous system disease that affects deer, elk and moose, according to the game and fish.