Wyoming Considers Increasing Elk Harvest in Herds Affected by Chronic Wasting Disease

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has proposed expanding hunting opportunities for elk in the Fall Creek and Pinedale herds, both of which are slightly above their population objectives and had detections of chronic wasting disease (CWD) at winter feedgrounds, Gillette News Record reports.

Although CWD was found at the Horse Creek Feedground (Fall Creek Herd) and Scab Creek Feedground (Pinedale Herd), officials have not adjusted population objectives in response. Instead, the proposed hunting seasons take multiple factors into account, including bull-to-cow ratios, elk-livestock interactions, and disease management.

“We need to get ahold of these numbers that are starting to get above management objectives,” said Brandon Scurlock, wildlife management coordinator for the Pinedale region. “We have CWD now, so any kind of harvest would be encouraged.”

In Hunt Area 97 (Pinedale), the department is recommending an increase in:

• “Any elk” tags from 225 to 250

• Cow/calf tags from 175 to 200

In Hunt Area 98, the proposal includes:

• Raising antlerless elk tags from 75 to 125

• Introducing an unlimited private-land-only license for cows and calves

“That’s a pretty significant change to introduce a new license type,” Scurlock said.

For Hunt Area 84 (Fall Creek), proposed changes include:

• Doubling “any elk” tags from 50 to 100

• Increasing cow/calf tags from 350 to 400

• Closing the general elk season five days earlier to help improve bull-to-cow ratios

One significant change is the unlimited private-land-only season in Hunt Area 98, aimed at improving hunter access and reducing elk populations in areas where they evade hunting pressure.

“Elk find private land, and they sit there if only one hunter comes out every month,” Scurlock said.

While landowners in the area can now grant access to hunters, the department does not anticipate a dramatic harvest on private lands. However, as elk move off private lands and onto public hunting areas, officials expect a greater overall harvest.

Game and Fish officials say that keeping elk numbers within objective ranges at feedgrounds helps reduce the risk of disease transmission. In early 2023, an outbreak of hoof rot at the Horse Creek Feedground—where the elk population was 40% over quota—led to significant calf mortality.

“The idea is to try to keep elk numbers at a manageable level in the feedgrounds,” said Gary Fralick, a Game and Fish wildlife biologist. “If you keep them at a manageable level, that reduces the risk of disease transmission and supports overall herd management goals.”