As you are probably aware, Fish and Game detected chronic wasting disease in Idaho for the first time in mid November of 2021 when we were notified of positive results. Shortly thereafter, we held emergency hunts to harvest more animals to determine what areas have CWD, and what percentage of the animals within these populations have CWD. This was in addition to our usual statewide CWD testing.
As of mid October, 2022, we have six positive animals including mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk, all detected last year in Unit 14 between Riggins and Grangeville.
We are continuing intensive CWD monitoring in Units 14 and 15, as well as adjacent units and elsewhere in the state. By the end of the 2022 hunting season, we should have a better idea of the extent of CWD in Unit 14, as well as whether it exists in other units.
At that point, the department and Fish and Game commission will create a longer-term action plan to contain it, which will be done in cooperation with hunters, landowners, outfitters, and other parties. CWD is something we take very seriously, which is why we’ve been testing for it since 1997. Fish and Game also has its 2021 Strategy for Chronic Wasting Disease.