Game and Fish continues to monitor brucellosis in elk

Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s efforts to collect biological samples for study and testing and once again, the Game and Fish acknowledge that hunters are the most critical component of the equation. 

Hunters have long been the primary resource for the department to gather samples to monitor the spread of brucellosis throughout Wyoming. Game and Fish have reported this fall elk hunters in select hunt areas are once again being asked to collect blood samples from their harvested animal to help in these brucellosis surveillance efforts. 

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 which results in transmission of the disease.

Hunters in targeted elk hunt areas for the 2024 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. 

The targeted elk hunt areas are: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25, 27, 28, 39, 40, 41, 45, 49, 54, 64, 65, 66, 100, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 110, 111, 125, 127, 130

A map is available online.

According to Game and Fish, approximately 8,960 kits will be mailed to hunters this year. Hunters in targeted elk hunt areas will be chosen randomly to receive a kit. The kits will be mailed about two weeks prior to the opening rifle date of that particular hunt area and license type. 

“You may have already — or will soon — receive a blood kit in the mail. Please bring this kit with you while hunting and collect a sample from your harvested animal soon after harvest. Keep the sample cool until drop-off (USPS, regional office) and fill out the data card in its entirety,” Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory supervisor Jessica Jennings-Gaines said. “If you did not receive a blood kit, and are planning to hunt in one of the targeted areas, please contact your local Game and Fish office to pick up a kit prior to heading afield.”

As an incentive for hunters to collect samples, Game and Fish is partnering with several outdoor gear companies in a raffle for hunters who provide a usable blood sample from their harvested elk. Hunters with multiple licenses may receive a kit for each and will be entered into the raffle for each usable sample returned. 

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE

Benelli Lupo Rifle (Caliber is the winner’s choice. Donated by Benelli). 

Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18X44 Rifle Scope (Donated by Vortex Optics).

ADDITIONAL PRIZES

Tikka T3x Lite 7mm rifle with gift card for rifle scope (Donated by Wyoming Sportsman’s Group).

Sig Sauer Oscar8 27-55X80 Spotting Scope (Donated by Sig Sauer).

Maven C1 10X42 Binoculars (Donated by Maven).

“Thank you to all our sponsors who support wildlife with their generous donations,” Jennings-Gaines said. 

Nearly one-quarter of the state is surveyed annually for brucellosis on a rotating basis. The department reports that each fall, hunters return between 1,000-1,400 blood samples to the laboratory. 

To gather a sample, hunters are urged to wear latex/nitrile gloves, keep the sample cool in a chilled cooler and not allow it to freeze or spoil. 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, Game and Fish office or drop the prepaid box with the sample in the mail. Learn how to collect a sample through a short video.

Hunters who don’t harvest an elk this year should not mail back an empty kit.

“Save the blood kit for your next year’s hunt or return it unused to a Game and Fish office or official,” Jennings-Gaines said.

Brucellosis has been shown to slightly reduce pregnancy rates but not limit the population size of elk. Usable data collected by hunters coupled with GPS data from radio-collared elk are being used to develop projects to mitigate brucellosis transmission risk among elk and from elk to livestock.