The State of Deer and Elk: What Is CWD? (VIDEO)

As hunting season gets underway, Idaho Fish and Game is raising awareness about chronic wasting disease (CWD) — an infectious, incurable and fatal disease that affects deer, elk and moose that was first detected in Idaho in 2021. Fish and Game continues to monitor for CWD throughout the state, with the highest emphasis on areas that border neighboring states with more widespread CWD like Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. 

In the seventh episode of Fish and Game’s ‘State of Deer and Elk’ series, Fish and Game's State Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Nicole Walrath, explains what CWD is and how Fish and Game is working to prevent the spread of this disease in Idaho. 

To encourage hunters to provide samples for testing and know the specific rules that are in place to minimize the spread of CWD in Idaho, Gov. Brad Little proclaimed Sept. 11-18, 2023, as Chronic Wasting Disease Awareness Week. 

“There is no cure or vaccine for CWD. All deer, elk, and moose that get the disease will die and several states have seen population declines in areas where limited or no action was taken to manage disease spread,” says Fish and Game Wildlife Bureau Chief Shane Roberts. “It is important hunters know how this disease may affect herds and how they can help minimize and manage its spread.”

For more on deer and elk, check out Fish and Game's State of Deer and Elk webpage to learn more about deer and elk in Idaho.