CHEYENNE, Wyo. — On Monday, March 17, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) announced that a new case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in the Jackson region.
The agency reported that an elk tested positive for CWD on the Horse Creek Feedground, which is located in Elk Hunt Area 84 south of Jackson. Elk Hunt Area 84 begins where U.S. Highway 191 crosses Flat Creek at the north edge of the town of Jackson and extends east of the National Elk Refuge boundary.
According to the WGFD, Horse Creek Feedground is the fourth feedground in the state to have confirmed positive for CWD among elk. Elk Hunt Area 84 had previously tested positive for CWD, and it is bordered by Elk Hunt Area 87, which is also CWD-positive.
WGFD personnel also reported on Monday another confirmed CWD case on Elk Hunt Area 62 in the Cody Region. Elk Hunt Area 62 is bordered by CWD-positive Elk Hunt Area 67 and overlaps several CWD-positive mule deer hunt areas.
The WGFD said in the announcement that the discovery of CWD on feedgrounds in 2025 was “anticipated as the disease has continued to spread across the state throughout deer, elk and moose hunt areas.”
“CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose,” the WGFD wrote. “Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish understand the potential impacts of the disease and evaluate future management actions. Game and Fish personnel will continue to monitor feedgrounds for elk displaying signs of CWD.”
