Another case of chronic wasting disease found in Unit 14

Idaho Fish and Game received notice Oct. 20 that a white-tailed deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The young doe was found dead along Slate Creek Road in Hunting Unit 14 in Idaho County, the same general area where chronic wasting disease was first detected in November 2021.

A Fish and Game employee found the deer dead on the side of the road. The cause of its death is unknown. The deer’s head was collected and its lymph nodes were sent to a lab for testing.

“We expected to see more positive animals from Unit 14 this year, so while not surprising, it’s an important reminder that chronic wasting disease is present here in Idaho,” said State Wildlife Manager, Rick Ward. “We want to remind hunters they must not remove whole carcasses of deer, elk or moose from Hunting Units 14 and 15.”

This latest detection is the first for the 2022 hunting season, but marks the seventh animal to test positive for CWD in Unit 14. All seven were between Riggins and Grangeville.

To date, Fish and Game staff has collected samples from 1,017 deer and elk statewide this year, and testing on most of those animals is pending.

The Fish and Game Commission established Units 14-15 as a “CWD Management Zone,” which means hunters who harvest deer, elk or moose have to follow new rules:

Units 14-15 CWD restrictions:

• It is illegal to possess a or transport a full carcass or any part of a deer, elk or moose taken from Units 14 or 15 in any part of the state outside of these units except quarters, boned-out meat, dried antlers, or cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps (see full list of exceptions).

Units 14-15, other CWD requirements:

•All deer, elk and moose must be tested for CWD.

•Hunters may take a CWD sample (lymph nodes taken from the head) in the field, or bring the animal’s head to a check station, drop-off location or designated regional office.

•Quarter or debone animal at kill site and leave gut piles and spine if traveling outside of Units 14 or 15.

•If staying within Units 14 or 15, the spinal cords and heads must be disposed of in an approved solid waste landfill, dumpster or trash can that will be taken to an approved landfill.

•Antlers should be removed in the field if the hunter is also taking a CWD sample in the field.

•If heads are taken to a check station or Fish and Game office for CWD sampling, antlers will be removed by Fish and Game staff, cleaned and returned to hunters.

•Animal heads will remain with Fish and Game and properly disposed of in an approved facility.

To learn more, go to Idaho Fish and Game's CWD webpage and read about hunting rules within the CWD Management Zone.