Chronic Wasting Disease Continues to Spread Among Wyoming Mule Deer

Wyoming’s mule deer population is experiencing a continued rise in chronic wasting disease (CWD), according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2024 CWD Surveillance Report, OutdoorHub reports.

While the overall trend is concerning, the report also includes positive developments for white-tailed deer and elk, which both saw a slight decline in infection rates compared to the previous year.

The 2024 report analyzed 5,276 samples from mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. Among hunter-harvested animals, the following percentages tested positive for CWD:

• Mule deer bucks: 19.4% (up from 18.9% in 2023)

• White-tailed deer bucks: 29.2% (down from 30.3% in 2023)

• Elk: 2.3% (down from 2.8% in 2023)

• Moose: 0% (no positive cases detected)

While mule deer saw a slight increase in infection rates, moose once again showed no cases of CWD. However, the disease was detected in three new elk hunting areas (62, 84, and 87) and four elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming, indicating that its spread remains a concern for wildlife managers.

Certain herds continue to show high levels of CWD, with some of the most affected populations including:

• Whitetail deer: The Lander Region’s Project Herd has the highest CWD prevalence at 66.3%, followed by the Shoshone River Herd in the Cody Region at 47.6%.

• Elk: The Iron Mountain Herd in southeast Wyoming has the highest prevalence at 10.1%, while the North Bighorn Herd in north-central Wyoming has increased to 9.1%, up from 7% over the past five years.

Despite these figures, CWD prevalence is not uniform across entire herds. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department calculates five-year averages to assess long-term trends and identify localized “hot spots” where the disease is most concentrated.

Wyoming wildlife authorities continue to encourage hunters to test their harvested animals for CWD at no cost. The data collected is essential for monitoring and managing the disease, helping wildlife experts make informed decisions to protect the state’s deer and elk populations.

“Wyoming’s CWD surveillance would not be possible without the participation of our hunters,” said Jessica Jennings, manager of the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Lab. “We encourage hunters to check the Game and Fish website for the 2025 priority and mandatory testing areas and consider having their animals tested.”

For more information on Wyoming’s CWD programs and testing locations, visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s website.