The Outdoor Wire

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed chronic wasting disease in Deer Hunt Area 156 in the Jackson Region for the first time, detected in an adult mule deer buck. The area is surrounded by previously CWD-positive hunt areas and Grand Teton National Park. Hunters are encouraged to submit samples for free CWD testing to assist monitoring efforts.

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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its hunter-harvested surveillance program during the 2026 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select southwestern units. Hunters can drop off deer heads at collection sites, visit district offices, or use self-sampling kits to test for CWD, a slow-moving brain disease affecting deer, moose, and elk.

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Monday, October 19, 2026

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks urges hunters to help track chronic wasting disease by sampling deer, elk, and moose harvested in priority areas. Free testing is available at regional headquarters or through self-submission to the Wildlife Health Program in Bozeman, with results shared to monitor disease distribution.

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is asking hunters to voluntarily submit samples from harvested deer, elk, and moose during the general season opening October 24 to track chronic wasting disease (CWD) and inform management strategies. Proper carcass disposal and reporting sick-looking animals also help keep CWD prevalence low and protect future hunting opportunities.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is requesting hunters to submit deer for chronic wasting disease testing from Mecosta, Newaygo, Kent, Montcalm, and Ionia counties during the 2026 hunting season. The DNR, led by deer management specialist Brent Rudolph, aims to understand how CWD prevalence has changed since 2019 testing to determine disease management options.

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Oklahoma confirms its sixth Chronic Wasting Disease case in a wild deer near Optima in Texas County since June 2023. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and ODWC have expanded the Selective Surveillance Area, with Joey McAllister stating their goal is to ensure healthy, well-managed deer with minimal impact to resources and constituents.

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The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that using deer lures containing deer urine or bodily fluids is banned to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) transmission. CWD is a fatal disease spread through prions in urine, and Vermont's deer biologist Nick Fortin urges hunters to use legal synthetic alternatives instead.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2025

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease for the first time in Elk Hunt Area 2 in the Sheridan Region. The Game and Fish’s Wildlife Health Lab confirmed the presence of CWD in a bull elk that was euthanized due to suspected disease.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease for the first time in Mule Deer Hunt Area 153 in the Pinedale Region. Game and Fish confirmed the presence of CWD in a hunter-harvested, adult male mule deer.

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