Dear Editor: A Letter to Montana Hunters

Dear Montana Hunters [and Editor],

You can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in Montana’s herds of elk, deer, and moose by getting your animal tested. By testing your animal for CWD, you are not only protecting our herds, but also the future of our hunting opportunities.

Your test results help Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of CWD management. FWP needs samples not only from hunting districts (HDs) where CWD is known to be, but also in HDs where it hasn’t yet been detected. If we don’t know where it is, we can’t stop the spread.

This year, FWP has identified CWD Priority Sampling Areas in southwestern, central, and east-central Montana. These are areas where FWP wants to focus special attention to gather data on the prevalence of the disease.

There are new CWD testing requirements for tags associated with CWD management near Libby. If you are harvesting an animal within HDs 100, 103, or 104, please review the 2024 hunting regulations to determine if testing requirements apply.

Aside from previously mentioned, testing is voluntary, and FWP can help hunters get their animals tested. Hunters can take the samples themselves, fill out the online hunter submission form available on our website, and mail them to our Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman. Hunters also can bring the animal (or head) to a CWD Sampling Station or to most FWP offices. Not all FWP offices can offer help with sampling, so please call ahead to check on availability and to ensure your visit is timely, quick, and smooth.

If you intend to donate your deer, elk, or moose to a food bank, FWP strongly recommends that it has been tested for CWD and that you have a “Not Detected” lab result in hand upon donation. Properly dispose of any animals that test positive.

For more information, including how to take your own samples, sample collection locations and hours of operation, and maps of our Priority Sampling Areas and Class II landfills, contact your local FWP office or visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd, where you can find a wealth of information about CWD.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ramsey

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks