CWD Detected in New Feedground

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease on the Muddy Creek feedground.

According to the department, Muddy Creek feedground is within Elk Hunt Area 98, which first detected CWD in 2021. This is the fifth feedground in the state to have confirmed positive for CWD among elk. 

Game and Fish personnel have continued to conduct extensive surveillance for sick and dead elk in feedground areas, collecting CWD samples whenever possible, both before and after the initial CWD detection at the Scab Creek feedground. This CWD sample was obtained during a grid search for elk skulls with viable brain material at Muddy Creek feedground, carried out after the feeding season concluded.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish understand the potential impacts of the disease and evaluate future management actions. Game and Fish reports personnel will continue to monitor feedgrounds for elk displaying signs of CWD.

Game and Fish operates 21 feedgrounds in northwest Wyoming where supplemental winter feeding has occurred for more than a century. The discovery of CWD on feedgrounds in 2025 was anticipated as the disease has continued to spread across the state throughout deer, elk and moose hunt areas.

For more information on CWD testing, transmission, carcass transportation and disposal regulations, visit the CWD webpage.  To stay updated on feedground management efforts, visit the feedground webpage.