Game and Fish to focus CWD sampling efforts on mule deer and elk harvested in specific hunt areas in the Big Horn Basin

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced they are seeking help from hunters this fall to collect samples from mule deer and elk for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing in target hunt areas. 

Game and Fish aims to collect samples from at least 200 adult elk in the Cody Elk herd, consisting of elk hunt areas 55, 56, 58-61 and 66. 

In addition, Game and Fish is requesting samples from mule deer harvested in the Shoshone River herd, consisting of deer hunt areas 121, 122 and 123 and the Southwest Bighorns herd, consisting of hunt areas 35-37, 39, 40 and 164. 

Game and Fish is asking hunters that harvest mule deer bucks or adult elk in these specific hunt areas to submit samples to Game and Fish for testing. Game and Fish also encourages hunters to submit samples from does, white-tailed deer within focus areas. Samples from all other deer, elk and moose harvested throughout the Big Horn Basin will be tested if requested by hunters.

“Our goals with collecting samples and monitoring CWD are to protect the health of wildlife. Hunters are very important in helping us understand the disease and achieve monitoring,” said Cody area Wildlife Management Coordinator, Corey Class.

Samples collected from mule deer and elk harvested from targeted areas help Game and Fish track CWD as part of a long-term, state-wide monitoring plan. CWD is widely distributed across Wyoming and is fatal to deer, elk, and moose.

Hunters can have animals sampled at any game check station this season or by stopping by the Cody Regional Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional options for testing include select processors and taxidermists throughout the Basin, drop barrels for heads located at the Cody Regional Office, Medicine Lodge State Park, and in Powell at Northwest College on the south side of the Science and Math Building at 6th and Division Streets. 

Hunters can also learn how to take a sample with a how-to video on the Game and Fish website.

Hunters should refer to page 5 of the 2024 Antelope, Deer, and Elk Hunting Regulations for specific CWD provisions regarding transportation of harvested animals. 

Although this disease has not been shown to be transmissible to humans, hunters are encouraged to wear rubber or latex gloves when dressing carcasses and avoid handling the brain and spinal tissues. When butchering, meat should be boned out. Hunters should not consume animals that appear to be sick, or brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, or lymph nodes. Washing hands and instruments is good practice. Knives and other equipment can be disinfected by soaking in 40:60 bleach water for five minutes.  

Hunters interested in CWD test results of their harvested animal will need to log in through their Game and Fish user account at wgfd.wyo.gov.