JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has detected the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) for the first time in another Jackson Region hunt area.
On Monday, WGFD confirmed that CWD is present in Deer Hunt Area 156, which is located directly east of Grand Teton National Park. The Gros Ventre River forms the southern boundary of the hunt area, and Togwotee Pass forms the northern boundary. WGFD detected the always-fatal disease in an adult mule deer buck.
Deer Hunt Area 156 is bordered on all sides by hunt areas where CWD has already been present, as well as Grand Teton National Park (where CWD was first detected in 2018). Last week, WGFD announced that CWD had been detected for the first time on Deer Hunt Area 141, near Green River Lakes. WGFD announces to the public when CWD is found in a new hunt area.
“Hunters can assist in data collection by submitting samples for free CWD testing, especially when hunting in priority or mandatory CWD testing areas,” WGFD wrote in a press release.
CWD is a 100% fatal disease that affects neurological function in deer, elk and moose. WGFD is undertaking continued monitoring of CWD to understand the potential impacts of the disease, as well as to evaluate future management decisions. Many hunt areas in western Wyoming are considered CWD Focus Areas. In these zones, hunters are asked to participate in testing and to submit lymph nodes of harvested animals to WGFD to sample for CWD. Most hunting zones on the west side of the state do not require CWD testing. The public is also asked to contact the nearest WGFD office if a sick or injured animal is seen.
