Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has surged in northeastern Montana, with nearly 18% of adult mule deer now infected, up from just 3% in samples collected during the 2018-19 season. This rise in CWD prevalence is particularly alarming in certain hunting districts, where the rates are reported as high as 34% in HD 670 and 28% in HD 600, emphasizing a potentially severe impact on local wildlife populations.
Scott Hemmer, a biologist with Fish, Wildlife & Parks, highlights the urgent need for monitoring, noting that the disease had initially been managed with an objective to keep prevalence below 5%. With hunters playing a critical role in tracking the spread through voluntary testing, the situation underscores the importance of continued vigilance and proactive management to prevent further escalation of CWD in Montana’s deer populations.
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