Test results from the final CWD surveillance samples sent after the close of Montana’s general hunting season showed four more deer along the Hi-Line to be positive for chronic wasting disease.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said in a press release on Friday that the four deer included a mule deer buck from Hill County and a white-tailed buck from Phillips County. Both deer were taken in areas with previous detections.
Additionally, two mule deer bucks from Sheridan County also tested positive. These are the first from Sheridan County.
This brings the total number of positive animals found in this year’s surveillance to 26 deer – five from the CWD-positive area south of Billings and 21 from along the Hi-Line.
In the coming weeks, FWP officials will look back at this year’s surveillance effort along the northern part of the state and determine the next steps forward in addressing CWD, including any management actions. CWD surveillance efforts will continue next year in portions of southeast Montana in FWP Region 7.
For more information on CWD in Montana, go to fwp.mt.gov/CWD.
Hunters should properly dispose of carcasses. Once an animal with CWD dies, any part of the carcass can transmit the disease for at least two years. Safely disposing of all animal parts in solid waste landfills will help prevent the transmission of CWD.
