Important details to help hunters comply with new Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in a portion of Unit 1

The newly established Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in a portion of Unit 1 has understandably generated questions among the public. Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Panhandle Region are prepared and committed to make complying with the new rules as easy as possible.

First, Fish and Game staff will be hosting a Community Chat meeting on Oct. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service Bonners Ferry Ranger Station. Staff will be there to provide an update, answer questions and hear feedback from folks in attendance.

Next, the number of freezers and barrels for hunters to drop off heads or CWD samples from harvested deer, elk or moose will be higher compared to previous years. Within the CWD Management Zone in Unit 1 alone, there will be approximately four freezers and twelve head barrels. Locations for freezers and head barrels throughout the Panhandle can be found on Fish and Game’s CWD sample drop-off webpage. Locations will be updated on this page as soon as those drop-off sites are made available.

Lastly, Fish and Game staff will be running a CWD sampling site in Bonners Ferry at the Boundary County Search and Rescue overflow boat launch parking area. The sampling site will be open from 11 a.m. to one-hour after sunset on each of the following days:

• Oct. 12, 13, 20 and 27
• Nov. 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30
• Dec. 1

Any hunter can drop by during hours of operation to have their harvest sampled for CWD.

In addition, Fish and Game will run regular check stations as in previous years, and staff will be available to collect CWD samples from harvested animals. Dates and locations of the check stations will be released in the weeks ahead.

Reminder that hunters can also collect and submit their own CWD samples. Sample kits can be requested by contacting your nearest Fish and Game Regional Office or by filling out the request form at https://idfg.idaho.gov/cwd/sampling-kit-request. 

To learn how to collect a CWD sample, use the links below.

• CWD Sampling Locations
• Learn how to collect a sample for CWD testing
• CWD sample collection, with pictures
• Fish and Game CWD sampling video 

Testing for CWD takes approximately four to six weeks after samples are submitted. For animals sampled at the sampling site, check stations or the regional office, hunters will be given a business card with a unique barcode number on it. This number can be entered into the Fish and Game sample results website where status updates and final testing results will be posted. Hunters will only be contacted if a sample is positive.

Important reminders

The bounds of the new CWD Management Zone are “that portion of Unit 1 within Boundary County and east of the Selkirk Mountains Crest.”

Hunters must follow additional rules if hunting within the bounds of the CWD Management Zone.

• CWD testing is required for all hunter-harvested deer from the CWD Management Zone portion of Unit 1.
• It is unlawful to transport any carcass of a deer, elk, or moose out of the defined portion of Unit 1.

Full details about carcass transport rules can be found here or in this recent press release.

If you would like to learn more about CWD, please visit or CWD webpage for tons of resources and videos.

Please contact the Panhandle Regional office at (208) 769-1414 with questions or concerns. 

You can also follow the Panhandle Region Facebook page to get regular news and updates.