Idaho Chronic Wasting Disease Awareness Week is Sept. 11-18, 2023
As hunting season gets underway, Idaho Fish and Game is raising awareness about chronic wasting disease (CWD); an infectious, incurable and fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose that was first detected in Idaho in 2021. Gov. Brad Little has proclaimed Sept. 11-18, 2023, as Chronic Wasting Disease Awareness Week to encourage hunters to provide samples for testing and know the specific rules that are in place to minimize the spread of CWD in Idaho. To further raise awareness, Fish and Game will be sharing news releases, social media posts, and providing media interviews.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, there has been no reported cases of CWD infecting people. However, CDC recommends that people do not eat meat from an animal that tests positive for CWD.
Mandatory & Requested CWD Sampling Units
Hunters harvesting deer, elk, or moose in Units14 &15 (Red) have mandatory reporting and special rules. Hunters harvesting animals in grey Units are encouraged to submit samples for CWD testing.
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Help IDFG with CWD Surveillance
Hunters wishing to test their animals, and willing to help in Fish & Game's CWD monitoring efforts have the following options:
- Designated drop off locations will collect CWD samples (directions are available on the IDFG website) or heads with the upper 4 inches of the neck attached.
- Request a sampling kit to be mailed to you by completing an online form. Test kits require hunters to collect a lymph node sample, and kits provide a sample bag, barcode for tracking results, and collection instructions. Please allow 5 business days for your sample kit to arrive.
- Hunter check stations and Fish & Game Regional offices will also be collecting samples
Results may take up to 6 weeks following samples being received.
Please note monitoring efforts will be limited to yearlings and adult animals, however fawn testing is permissible for hunters concerned with testing before consumption.
How to Collect a Lymph Node Sample
Attention Unit 14 and 15 Hunters
CWD testing is required for deer, elk and moose harvested in Units 14 and 15. Additionally, carcasses or any part of a deer, elk, or moose originating in Units 14 and 15 may not be transported out of those units, with the following exceptions:
- Removing a head from the unit to take to IDFG for mandatory sampling
- Meat that is cut and wrapped
- Quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue
- Edible organs that do not include brains
- Hides with skinned out heads only
- Upper canine teeth (ivories) removed
- Finished taxidermy
- Dried antlers
- Cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps
- Skull caps that do not include brain or spinal tissue
- Domestic cervids
Please visit our CWD website to learn:
- More information about CWD
- How to collect & submit CWD samples for testing
- IDFG's surveillance efforts
- CWD hunting rules & consumption advisories
Mandatory Hunter Reports
Don't forget to do your Hunter Report for deer, elk, and/or pronghorn tags even if you didn't hunt or harvest!
You can submit your report either online, through the Idaho Fish & Game App, or by phone at 1-877-268-9365 .
Please complete your report as soon as you harvest, or when your season has ended!
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