At check stations across the state, Idaho Fish and Game staff are collecting lymph nodes from harvested deer, elk, and moose to increase monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease, a disease that has not been detected in Idaho.
Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Detection of the disease has been inching closer to home as states like Montana, Wyoming, and Utah have all reported positive cases. Fish and Game has increased sampling efforts in game management units closest to those states and relies on hunters throughout Idaho to provide this critical data as a proactive measure for early detection.
Thanks to hunter participation at check stations and leaving samples at our drop-off locations, we are able to increase the number of animals tested for CWD.
Check stations will continue throughout the hunting season. Here’s what you can expect at a check station for CWD sampling.
CWD sampling at a check station
The collection process goes quickly and does not take a lot of the hunter’s time at the check station.
- Whether a check station is part of your destination route or not, it’s always good to have your animal readily available. Check station staff want to get you back on the road as soon as possible, so having your animal where we can easily get to it will make your time at the check station go quicker.
- Staff will first ask you for permission before cutting into your animal.
- A wildlife biologist will look at your animal to see if sample collection is possible and inspect the animal’s teeth for aging. We do not collect samples from fawns.
- The biologist will then cut across the animal’s neck under the jawbone and retrieve the lymph nodes.
- The lymph nodes will be placed in a bag and labeled with your name, tag number, species, animal age, and harvest location.
- You will be given a card or a barcode number so you can check test results at home on our website. Results are usually posted in four to six weeks.
Collect a CWD sample on your own
If a check station was not part of your destination route, you can still have your deer, elk, or moose tested for CWD by submitting a sample yourself.
- Request a sample kit
- Collect a lymph node sample (step-by-step) instructions
- View drop-off locations
We would like to thank all of the hunters who have already submitted samples at check stations or at a drop-off location. The valuable data you provide helps us proactively monitor for CWD.
Learn how Idaho Fish and Game is monitoring for CWD and how you can help at https://idfg.idaho.gov/cwd.
