Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in New Wyoming Elk Hunt Area
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the first detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Elk Hunt Area 23, located primarily within the Casper region.
This discovery was made through the department’s ongoing surveillance of hunter-harvested animals.
Elk Hunt Area 23 is surrounded by three elk hunt areas already known to have CWD—areas 48, 16, and 19—making the confirmation in Area 23 unsurprising but significant. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department emphasizes the importance of informing hunters when CWD is identified in a new hunt area to ensure public awareness and safety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises hunters to avoid consuming meat from animals that appear ill or test positive for CWD. Hunters are encouraged to utilize the department’s resources, including testing services and regulations for safe handling, transportation, and disposal of carcasses.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. In 2023, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department tested over 5,000 lymph node samples from hunter-harvested animals to track the disease’s spread and assess management strategies. Continued monitoring is critical for understanding CWD’s impact on wildlife populations and evaluating effective measures to manage its spread.
A map of CWD-endemic areas, along with detailed information on testing and prevention, is available on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s website. Hunters are encouraged to stay informed about the disease and participate in the department’s surveillance efforts.
The discovery of CWD in Elk Hunt Area 23 highlights the ongoing challenge of managing this disease in Wyoming’s wildlife populations. With its 100% fatality rate in infected animals, CWD remains a significant concern for wildlife conservation and hunting traditions in the state.
