JACKSON, Wyo. — Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues its inevitable rise in ungulate populations around the state, with nearly three-quarters of elk herds infected and an even higher prevalence in mule deer herds. Of the hunter-harvested animals that have been tested for CWD this year, the always-fatal neurological disease was detected in over 10% of kills.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission met last week in Cody for its two-day meeting that included presentations, season-setting for hunting, and Outdoor Hall of Fame inductions. On Friday, the second meeting day, the Commission was updated on CWD throughout the state. Corey Class, Game and Fish wildlife management coordinator in the Cody Region, stated that the disease is present in 71% of elk herds and 95% of mule deer herds throughout the state. The rate of CWD in mule deer herds has remained steady since the end of 2024, and the prevalence in elk herds is up from 62%, per the agency’s 2024 CWD Surveillance Report.
According to a Friday press release, Game and Fish continues to adjust hunting seasons and increase harvest opportunities aimed at limiting disease spread and reducing CWD in certain areas with higher prevalence, like riparian areas or cultivated lands.
“We don’t have a silver bullet to combat CWD, but based on things we know, there are several strategies worth trying and evaluating,” Class said in a statement. “The Paintrock Mule Deer Herd is one place where we have implemented focused harvest strategies, and we are learning what may be working and what isn’t. Eradication is not going to happen, and it may be too early to say that this will last long term, but certainly over the last couple of years it appears we may have at least stabilized it for now.”
In late October, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) announced the presence of CWD in a new local hunt area. The disease that affects deer, elk and moose was detected in a hunter-harvested mule deer in Deer Hunt Area 156, directly east of Grand Teton National Park.
Resident of Moose, Tim Martel, told Buckrail about his experience harvesting the mule deer in Deer Hunt Area 156 that then tested positive for CWD. Hunting is a family affair for the Martels, who butcher their own harvests and haven’t purchased meat in 25 years. Three years ago, Martel committed to testing all of his and his wife’s kills. In that time period, he has tested 12 deer and seven elk. Earlier this fall, after a successful hunt, Martel delivered two sets of lymph nodes to get tested.
“We were just having a great time … and it all went well, clean shot, then it went down,” Martel said, describing the hunt. “Everything was just awesome. Then we butcher all our own meat and everything, so it’s a lot of work. And then to have it turn around and be [positive], I literally threw out 85 pounds of meat. So a little bit – you know – it’s bitter.”
Through conversations with wildlife biologist friends and game wardens, Martel has gathered that CWD is likely more prevalent than most hunters believe. “I think if all the hunters here tested, I think they’d be surprised how often it pops up,” he said.
Hunters are not required to submit a harvested animal for CWD testing in much of Wyoming, and reporting a harvest is not mandatory. WGFD extrapolates successful hunt estimates from voluntary surveys at the end of the season. Data for the 2025 hunting season estimates the following totals of CWD-vulnerable animal harvests: 26,946 deer, 30,568 elk, and 338 moose. Across the three species tested, this year’s preliminary numbers from WGFD show that only 3,869 hunter-harvested animals have been tested. Of those, CWD has been detected in 403 samples, just over 10%.
A friend of Martel’s in Colorado shot a deer two years ago that tested positive for CWD. Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not refund the cost of a hunting tag, but will reimburse hunters up to $200 for the cost of processing an animal that ends up being infected with CWD, even for those who self-process the meat. A WGFD spokesperson told Buckrail that the agency does not have plans to reimburse hunters for costs associated with harvesting an animal that tests positive.
“I feel like I’m doing the state a service by going out of my way to do this, and I don’t get anything … for it,” Martel said. “It’s only a $40 tag, but it would be nice if, next year, there was a $40 bonus in my account.”
