Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Deer for First Time in Two South-Central Montana Hunting Districts

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected this season in a mule deer buck from hunting district (HD) 515 and a whitetail buck from HD 525, both harvested by hunters. This is the first time CWD has been detected in these HDs. The mule deer from HD 515 was harvested north of Columbus and the white-tailed deer from HD 525 was harvested west of Nye. Following testing protocol, both deer were tested twice to confirm the positive results. CWD is a contagious neurological disease that can infect deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal, and there is no known cure. It was first detected in Montana’s wild herds in 2017. The disease is known to exist in various regions of Montana, including multiple other HDs in south-central Montana. Hunting is the primary tool for monitoring and managing the spread of CWD. Hunters are critical to conservation efforts across the state, including by testing harvested animals for CWD. Hunters can also help slow the spread of CWD by disposing of animal carcasses properly after harvesting the meat. This includes leaving carcass remains at the kill site when possible or bagging the carcass and disposing of it in a Class II landfill. Throughout 2024 so far, nearly 9,000 CWD samples have been collected from both species of deer, elk and moose from across the state. A majority of the animals sampled were hunter-harvested but also included roadkill and CWD symptomatic animals. Of those tested so far, 321 have tested positive for CWD. Hunters can still get their harvested animals tested for CWD throughout the Muzzleloader Heritage season and the elk shoulder season. FWP has online resources for hunters to collect and submit samples themselves. Hunters can also have FWP staff test their animals at the Region 5 office in Billings (2300 Lake Elmo Dr.), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead at 406-247-2940 to ensure someone is available to collect your sample. Testing for CWD is free of charge and voluntary in most places in Montana. There is no known transmission of CWD to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that hunters harvesting deer, elk or moose from an area where CWD is known to exist have their animal tested prior to consuming the meat and do not consume the meat if the animal tests positive. For more information on CWD in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.