Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is offering two free instructional workshops for hunters to learn how to collect chronic wasting disease (CWD) samples from deer, elk, and moose. The workshops will be held on Wednesday, October 25, at the Billings FWP office (2300 Lake Elmo Dr.) from 5-7 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 1, at the Montana Department of Transportation weigh station parking lot in Harlowton from 5-7 p.m.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer family, including elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. It is caused by a misfolded protein called a prion, which can spread through direct contact between animals, or indirectly through contact with contaminated saliva, urine, or feces.

There is no cure for CWD, and it is 100% fatal. However, early detection can help to slow the spread of the disease and protect wildlife populations. Hunters play a key role in CWD monitoring and management by submitting samples from harvested animals.

At the workshops, FWP staff will provide demonstrations on how to properly remove the lymph nodes that are used for CWD testing. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice removing lymph nodes from deer, elk, or moose heads.

All hunters are encouraged to attend one of the workshops, regardless of their experience level. CWD testing is free and voluntary, but it is an important way to help protect Montana’s wildlife.

In addition to the workshops, FWP is also offering other ways for hunters to submit CWD samples:

• Hunters can collect their own samples and mail them to the FWP Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman.
• Hunters can bring their animal carcass or head to an FWP regional office or CWD sampling station.
• Hunters can drop their sample off at a participating taxidermist or meat processor.

For more information about CWD and CWD sample collection, please visit the FWP website: https://fwp.mt.gov/cwd

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