WHAT'S NEW FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE MANAGEMENT FOR 2024

This year FWP will continue chronic wasting disease surveillance and monitoring in specific areas known as Priority Sampling Areas across southwestern, central, and central-eastern Montana. 

*Carcass disposal requirements: Carcass parts, such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a Class II landfill. A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts are disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing. Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. This requirement applies to all deer, elk and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage. 

*CWD sample submission is voluntary in most places in Montana. FWP has implemented new mandatory testing requirements for tags associated with CWD management near Libby. Testing is required for all animals harvested using the Deer B License 199-20 in HDs 100, 103 and 104, or Deer Permit 103-50 in HD 103. All hunters who want their harvested animal sampled can submit samples themselves by following steps on the Montana CWD Submission Guide or by visiting a CWD Sampling Station.  

*If you intend to use scents to either mask human odor or as an attractant for deer and elk, you should be aware of the regulations regarding which can legally be used. You are safest if you use artificial scents, but you can also use scents certified by the Responsible Hunting Scent Association. You can identify these with the DPP✓ or RtQUIC✓ labels on them.  

*If you have harvested a deer or elk and encounter a CWD sampling station, please stop. Certain areas of the state are designated as Priority Sampling Areas where FWP is making a concerted effort to gather more samples. For instructions on how or where to submit a sample, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.  

*Report sick-looking deer, elk or moose. If you shoot an animal that looks diseased or sick, report it immediately to your local FWP office for further instructions and limit handling it. FWP staff will need to diagnosis and verify diseased or sick harvested animals to determine if an animal is fit for consumption or eligible for a replacement tag. 

For more information on CWD, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.