Hunters encouraged to drop off bird wings and CWD samples during upcoming seasons

With archery season and many upland game bird seasons upon us, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is once again asking hunters to provide wings and CWD samples from game they harvest. Here’s what you need to know.

Wing collection

Hunters can donate one fully-feathered wing from each upland game bird they harvest in a variety of ways. They can drop their wings off at department-run check stations or in "wing barrels" located at popular access routes throughout the hunting season.

Because check stations and wing barrels sometimes miss upland bird hunters, Fish and Game uses a mail-in wing program to maximize collection of sage-grouse wings. Hunters who purchased a sage-grouse tag will receive a packet in the mail with specific directions and a pre-paid return envelope. Sage-grouse hunters who did not receive a mail-in wing envelope but still wish to participate, should contact their nearest regional Fish and Game office for more information.

Since juvenile and adult birds molt their wing feathers differently, biologists can use this information to estimate chick production that year. For sage-grouse, biologists can even tell if an adult female successfully produced chicks that year. In addition, the percentage of juveniles and adults wings collected can provide information on production rates. All of this information can provide insight into the status of various game bird populations and helps Fish and Game improve management.

CWD sample drop-off locations

Hunters who would like their harvested deer, elk, or moose tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) have a few places to submit samples from check stations to regional offices to drop-off locations statewide.

Currently, in the Southeast Region, there is one CWD drop-off location at the Fish and Game regional office located at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello. Big game hunters can drop off their tissue samples from their deer, elk, or moose using the instructions and materials provided at the regional office location—even after hours or on weekends. Hunters can also request assistance with sample collection at the regional office during normal business hours. Testing is free.

Additional CWD sample drop-off locations will be established around the Southeast Region as soon as Oct. 1.

Information about CWD, including how to collect samples, and where to submit them by region can be found on Fish and Game’s CWD webpage https://idfg.idaho.gov/cwd.

CWD, which has been detected in Idaho, is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose populations. There is no cure for this fatal disease.