FWP To Host CWD Sampling Trainings In Southwestern Montana

Staff with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host three events this month to train hunters how to collect samples from their harvested animals for chronic wasting disease testing.

These events will include information on how to collect and submit testing samples, how to properly dispose of animal carcasses, and other information hunters should know about CWD management in Montana. Hunters are welcome but not required to bring their own harvested animals and tools for collecting samples, if available. Such tools include gloves, a knife, forceps or similar tools.

The first training will be held in the large parking lot at FWP’s Butte Area Resource Office, 1820 Meadowlark Lane, on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The second training will be at FWP’s Dillon office, 730 N. Montana St., on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The third event will be on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at FWP’s Dillon office, 730 N. Montana St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to CWD training for hunters, trick-or-treaters are welcome.

CWD is a fatal disease that infects members of the deer family, including elk, moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Hunting is the primary tool for monitoring and managing CWD. Although CWD testing is voluntary in Montana, samples from hunter-harvested deer, elk and moose are critical to FWP’s understanding of this fatal disease. CWD testing is free, and there are multiple options for submitting samples.

FWP and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services strongly recommend that hunters receive a negative CWD test result before taking their harvested deer, elk or moose to a meat processor or food bank.

For more information on CWD management and resources for hunters, visit fwp.mt.gov/CWD.