Following the latest sampling efforts in 2024, northern hunting district (HD) 600 has an annual prevalence rate of 28 percent for adult mule deer. HD 670, in the north-central area of the region, shows an annual prevalence of 34 percent, and HD 640, on the eastern end of the region, has overall annual prevalence rates in mule deer of 30 percent. Prevalence in mule deer bucks is even higher.
Montana sets a record for chronic wasting disease testing with over 9,000 samples submitted this hunting season—hunters play a crucial role in monitoring and management.
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.