Idaho Fish and Game has tested lymph nodes from deer since 1997 looking for CWD in Idaho’s wildlife.
Testing samples from deer, elk, and moose is the first line of defense in monitoring Idaho’s wildlife for CWD and hunters play a vital role in this effort.
How Hunters Help Monitor for CWD
Fish and Game biologists collect lymph nodes as samples from harvested and salvaged animals across the state. This is done at check stations, regional offices, and other regional drop-off locations.
If you harvest an animal, here's what you can do to help:
You can help our efforts by collecting the lymph nodes yourself. Follow our "How-to" guide and find a drop-off location or mail-in the sample.
Stop at a check station with your harvested deer, elk, or moose. Fish and Game staff will help retrieve the lymph nodes from your animal.
Bring your harvested deer, elk, or moose head to a Regional Office, where Fish and Game staff will help retrieve the lymph nodes from your animal. Hunters may want to call ahead to ensure someone is available to sample their deer.
Please leave the upper portion of the neck attached to the head so that staff can remove the lymph nodes from the throat. Only adults and yearlings, no fawns.
Individuals who salvaged road-killed deer in the Priority Areas are asked to voluntarily bring in the head and upper neck to a regional office or CWD sample drop-off location for lymph node removal.
Video: How hunters can help monitor for CWD in Idaho
Is your hunt unit being sampled for CWD?
Wildlife managers adjust the big game units selected for focused CWD sampling every year. You can find the areas for the current year by clicking on this map.
CWD Explained in Videos
