|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Jan. 9, 2026
Chronic Wasting Disease detected for first time in Hunting District 419
GREAT FALLS – Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently detected in a mule deer buck taken by a hunter east of Stanford in Hunting District 419. Multiple rounds of testing confirmed that the deer was positive for CWD. This is the first time CWD has been detected in Hunting District 419.
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.
Monitoring is a critical tool in preventing the large-scale population impacts that CWD can have on deer, elk and moose. By providing samples, hunters are giving biologists the data needed to track where the disease is moving and how prevalent it is in an area.
Without this data, the risk of CWD going undetected increases, which can lead to significant, long-term declines in herd health and hunting opportunities. Proactive management based on hunter-submitted data is the only way to help ensure Montana’s big game populations remain resilient for future generations.
While the general season has ended, FWP continues to accept samples and process final submissions. CWD sampling is available at FWP regional offices throughout the remainder of game damage and shoulder season hunts. For faster service, FWP recommends calling the office beforehand. For a list of regional offices, visit fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/contact-us.
Learn more at fwp.mt.gov/CWD.
-fwp-
|
