CWD Reaches A New Montana Hunting District

As a hunter, chronic wasting disease has been on my radar for years, but watching it steadily move across the country has been discouraging. CWD is now confirmed in more than 35 states, and here in Montana it first appeared in wild herds in 2017. Since then, it has continued to spread, reminding hunters and wildlife managers how serious the issue has become.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently confirmed a new case that adds to that concern. A mule deer buck harvested east of Stanford in Hunting District 419 tested positive for CWD after multiple rounds of testing. This marks the first confirmed detection of the disease in that specific hunting district. Each new location matters because it helps biologists understand where and how quickly the disease is moving.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. It is caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that damage the brain and nervous system. Once an animal is infected, there is no treatment or recovery. Over time, infected animals lose weight, behave abnormally, and eventually die. It’s often called the “Zombie Deer Disease.”

One of the biggest challenges with CWD is how easily it spreads. Scientists believe it can pass directly between animals through bodily fluids like saliva, urine, blood, or feces. It can also linger in the environment, including soil and water , which makes getting rid of it extremely difficult once it becomes established.

There is currently no known transmission of CWD to humans, but the CDC recommends that hunters in affected areas have their animals tested before consuming the meat and avoid eating meat from any animal that tests positive.

Monitoring is one of the most important tools Montana has. FWP relies heavily on hunter-submitted samples to track the disease and guide management decisions.

Even though the general season has ended, FWP continues to accept samples at regional offices during shoulder seasons and game damage hunts. For hunters who care about the future of Montana’s wildlife, participation truly matters.