The Wyoming Game and Fish Department needs help from hunters this fall to collect samples from mule deer and elk for Chronic Wasting Disease in areas in the Big Horn Basin.
Game and Fish aims to collect samples from at least 200 adult elk in the Cody Elk herd. Officials are requesting elk samples from hunt areas 55, 56, 58-61 and 66.
Additionally, Game and Fish is requiring mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease samples to be submitted on deer harvested in hunt areas located northeast of Worland that are home to the Paintrock deer herd.
The specific hunt areas officials are requiring samples from are Deer Hunt Areas 41 and 47. Only hunters who hold a Type 1 deer license will be required to submit samples.
These samples are crucial for the Game and Fish to track Chronic Wasting Disease as part of a long-term, state-wide monitoring plan.