LIBBY — State wildlife officials reported that samples from five white-tailed deer in the Libby area have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The first detection, which occurred in late May inside city limits, marked the first time CWD was found west of the Continental Divide in the wild.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported that as of Aug. 1, samples from 62 animals in and around Libby have been submitted for CWD testing and results are pending for 28 of the samples.
FWP officials stated they are in the process of finalizing details for a Special CWD hunt in the Libby area this fall and will sell 600 white-tailed deer antlerless B licenses in the Libby CWD Management Zone.
The Special CWD B licenses will go on sale at 8 a.m., Aug. 19, 2019. Additional details are forthcoming.
All deer, elk and moose harvested within the Libby CWD Management Zone must be submitted for sampling, according to FWP.
A map of the CWD Management Zone will be available online, at FWP Region 1 headquarters, or by request at (406) 751-4564 or via email .
FWP, the Libby Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office are responding to reports of deer that appear sick and are removing the animals for sampling.
People in the Libby area who see a deer that appears to be sick are asked to call (406) 291-6539 or Lincoln County Dispatch and leave a message with your name, number, the location of the animal and the time you saw it.
The next information meeting is Aug. 16 at noon in the Ponderosa Room at Libby City Hall. FWP is planning additional meetings in Libby, Kalispell, Trout Creek, Eureka, and Polson.
