Game and Fish finds CWD in new elk hunt area in southeast Wyoming

Game and Fish finds CWD in new elk hunt area in southeast Wyoming

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a cow elk that was observed to be in poor health near Elk Mountain and was lethally removed. CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose. The elk was found in elk hunt area 11, which is flanked by elk hunt areas and overlaps with a deer hunt area where CWD had already been documented.

The elk was reported to Game and Fish on December 4, 2015 near Bear Creek, 5 miles southeast of the town of Elk Mountain.

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control Game and Fish does not recommend people eat deer, elk or moose that test positive for CWD.

Game and Fish personnel continue to watch for deer, elk and moose that appear sick. Game and Fish also continues to collect samples through hunter field checks. Game and Fish personnel collect and analyze more than 1,600 CWD samples annually throughout the state.

Hunters who wish to have their deer, elk or moose tested for CWD outside of the department’s CWD surveillance program can to do so by contacting the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab at (307) 766-9925. Hunters submitting samples through the Game and Fish should be aware that it may take a few weeks after their animal is sampled to get their test results. Each person submitting a sample receives a sticker with information on how to check their results on our website.

For more information on chronic wasting disease transmission and regulations on transportation and disposal of carcasses please visit the Game and Fish website at: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Wildlife-Disease/Chronic-Wasting-Disease/CWD-Disease-Info.

-WGFD-