Below is a news release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently concluded its general season sampling effort for chronic wasting disease (CWD), marking one of the most productive monitoring periods to date. This achievement was made possible through the direct participation of hunters across the state. 

A message of thanks to our hunting community 

FWP wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the thousands of hunters who brought their harvests to check stations or submitted samples this fall. We recognize that your time in the field is valuable, and taking the extra step to participate in sampling is a service to Montana’s wildlife. 

“We would like to thank our hunters and local communities for your collaboration with our seasonal CWD staff who handled collecting and receiving their samples throughout the season,” said Sam Treece, FWP’s wildlife CWD technician supervisor. “We are sincerely grateful each and every year for your contributions in aiding the wildlife heritage of Montana.” 

Why monitoring matters: Protecting Montana’s herds 

Monitoring is a critical tool in preventing the large-scale population impacts that CWD can have on deer, elk and moose. By providing samples, hunters are giving biologists the data needed to track where the disease is moving and how prevalent it is in an area. 

Without this data, the risk of CWD going undetected increases, which can lead to significant, long-term declines in herd health and hunting opportunities. Proactive management based on hunter-submitted data is the only way to help ensure Montana’s big game populations remain resilient for future generations. 

This year, hunters received CWD test results in an average of 7.6 days. 

2025 sampling by the numbers 

The commitment of Montana’s hunters led to several record-breaking milestones this season: 

  • Total Samples: For the 2025 season (July to present), FWP has processed 8,372 samples statewide. 
  • Record Participation: The fourth week of the season (Nov. 13–19) saw 1,741 samples collected, the highest sampling week ever recorded for that period. 
  • Positive Detections: To date, 428 samples have returned positive or suspect results across the state. Of those, 247 were white-tailed deer, 178 were mule deer, and three were elk. 

Current season summary by species: 

  • White-tailed Deer: 4,427 samples 
  • Mule Deer: 3,005 samples 
  • Elk: 894 samples 
  • Moose: 46 samples 

For a summary of results, visit FWP’s online dashboard. 

Looking forward 

While the general season has ended, FWP continues to accept samples and process final submissions. 

CWD sampling is available at FWP regional offices throughout the remainder of game damage and shoulder season hunts. For faster service, FWP recommends calling the office beforehand. For a list of regional offices, visit fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/contact-us. 

Hunters can check for their individual results online. FWP remains committed to transparency and science-based management, and we look forward to continuing our work alongside Montana’s hunters to protect our shared wildlife heritage. 

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)