Hunters are encouraged to submit samples for CWD testing

GREAT FALLS – Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently detected in a mule deer buck taken by a hunter north of Great Falls in Hunting District 404. This is the first time CWD has been detected in that Hunting District.

Two tests taken in the first round of testing from the deer came back as positive for CWD, but a final confirmation test was negative. FWP will treat these results as a first detection of CWD in HD 404.

Hunters are encouraged to continue having their animals tested for the disease and can bring their harvested animal to the FWP office in Great Falls, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for sample collection during the general hunting season. Visit FWP’s website for more details on how and where to get harvested animals tested.

CWD is a contagious neurological disease that infects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. It’s always fatal, and there is no known cure. It was first detected in Montana’s wild herds in 2017.

There is no known transmission of CWD to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that hunters harvesting a deer, elk, or moose from an area where CWD is known to be present have their animal tested for CWD prior to consuming the meat and do not consume the meat if the animal tests positive.

Hunting is the primary tool for monitoring and managing the spread of CWD. Concerns over CWD shouldn’t stop hunters from enjoying hunting season. Hunters are critical to conservation efforts across the state and protecting Montana’s wildlife heritage.

Other CWD reminders:

• Carcass disposal requirements: Carcass parts, such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a Class II landfill. A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts are disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing. Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. This requirement applies to all deer, elk, and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage.
• CWD sample submission is voluntary in most places in Montana. All hunters who want their harvested animal sampled can submit samples themselves by following steps on the Montana CWD Submission Guide or by visiting a CWD Sampling Station.
• Don’t feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife places wildlife at risk and puts them on a collision course with humans. Wild animals being fed by humans may congregate in unnaturally high numbers, which can lead to disease spread.

For more information on CWD in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.

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