The Wyoming Game and Fish Department needs help from hunters this fall to collect samples from mule deer and elk for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing in target hunt areas.

In the Big Horn Basin, the department aims to collect samples from at least 200 adult mule deer bucks or adult elk in several hunt areas (see related graphic below).

“These samples are important to determine and monitor CWD prevalence for the health of the herd,” said Scott Edberg, deputy chief of wildlife. “Follow all carcass transport and disposal regulations to help limit the spread of CWD, both within Wyoming and other states. Hunters are a key part of CWD management.”

Hunters outside of this year’s focused surveillance areas can still submit a sample for testing.

Samples collected from mule deer and elk harvested from targeted areas help Game and Fish track CWD as part of a long-term, statewide monitoring plan. The disease is widely distributed across Wyoming and is fatal to deer, elk and moose.

“Our goals with collecting samples and monitoring CWD are to protect the health of wildlife,” said Corey Class, Cody area wildlife management coordinator. “Hunters and volunteers are very important to helping us understand the disease and achieve our goals.”

Strategically focusing on specific herd units within a given year will help Game and Fish obtain more samples, which allows changes in CWD prevalence to be detected over time. As CWD monitoring goals are obtained within targeted herd units, new herd units are added for targeted surveillance using a scheduled rotation.

Hunters can have animals sampled at any game check station this season, at the Cody regional Game and Fish office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 307-527-7125 to schedule an appointment. Local hunters can also use head drop barrels located at Northwest College in Powell, on the south side of the Science and Math Building at Sixth and Division streets. Barrels also are available at the headquarters of Yellowtail Wildlife Management area near Lovell and the Game and Fish office in Cody.

An additional option for hunters is to call the Northwest College CWD hotline at 307-754-6018 to schedule a time during regular business hours for a sample to be collected from a harvested deer, elk or moose.

Hunters can also learn how to take a sample with a how-to video on the Game and Fish website and can obtain sample kits from the Game and Fish office in Cody. Call Game and Fish at 307-527-7125 for a list of local taxidermists or meat processors that can collect a sample from a harvested animal for CWD testing.

Collect brucellosis samples

Hunters are also encouraged to assist wildlife managers in the collection of brucellosis samples.

“If you receive a brucellosis sample kit in the mail, please carry the sample kit with you and collect a blood sample as soon as you harvest your elk,” said Eric Maichak, Cody Region disease biologist.

Meeteetse area hunters are encouraged to take precautions to avoid exposure to the plague, which has been identified in some prairie dog populations within the area.

Prevention recommendations include: Avoid touching animals found sick or dead, wear insect repellent or permethrin on clothing, harvest only healthy appearing animals, wear gloves when handling harvested game, cook game meat thoroughly, wash hands before eating or using your phone, and to treat pets with a vet-approved flea control product.

Hunters are encouraged to call Game and Fish if they observe sick or dead animals while in the field.