Outside of mandatory testing units, F&G will take voluntary samples for free CWD testing

Hunters in 2025 will have mandatory testing for chronic wasting disease for deer in seven hunting units, including the addition of Unit 63A north of Idaho Falls, which was added after a domestic elk tested positive on a private game operation.

Fish and Game’s management of CWD requires wildlife managers and hunters to adapt to changing conditions as information arises about where the disease is found - and not found - based on testing. Hunters play a critical role in CWD testing because there is no live test for the disease, and getting accurate and current information requires annual testing statewide.

Deer are more susceptible to CWD than elk or moose, so they are the only animal required for testing in units where CWD testing is mandatory. But Fish and Game will test any deer, or elk for hunters regardless of where it was harvested in the state. CWD testing is free and hunters can see the results online.

Fish and Game currently manages CWD through three main methods:

• Statewide voluntary testing of deer, elk and moose by hunters
• Mandatory testing for deer in units where it’s required (Portions of Unit 1 and Units 14, 18, 23, 24, 32A, 63A)
• CWD Management Zones (mandatory testing and other special regulations)

Currently, Units 14, 18 and a portion of Unit 1 comprise the CWD Management Zone for 2025. CWD testing is mandatory for all harvested deer in those units, and the following rules also apply:

• It is unlawful to transport any whole carcass of a deer, elk, or moose out of a CWD management zone except heads or lymph nodes transported to Fish and Game for CWD sampling. Antlers or skull caps may be retained after sampling by Fish and Game staff, but the remainder of the head will remain for proper disposal. For details and full rules, go the CWD webpage.
• Heads should remain in the field if lymph nodes are removed for delivery to Fish and Game for CWD testing.
• Caped animals (with the skull) may be taken to a taxidermist or meat processor, but may not leave a CWD Management Zone and must still be presented to Fish and Game staff for sampling.
• Heads or lymph nodes must be submitted for testing within 10 days of harvest.
• If hunters, or those who salvage an animal, retain the quarters, they should double-bag all bones and nonedible portions of the animal and dispose of them in a landfill when finished processing the meat.

Mandatory testing in Units 23, 24, 32A and 63A, but no carcass transport restrictions

CWD testing is mandatory in Units 23, 24, 32A and 63A for all deer, but it does not apply to elk and moose taken in those units. Because these units are not within the CWD Management Zone, carcass transportation restrictions do not apply. Fish and Game also welcomes any voluntary testing of elk and moose.

Why is CWD management important for hunters

Fish and Game’s CWD management priority is keeping the percentage of animals infected – or prevalence – low in deer herds. CWD can’t be eradicated because it remains in the environment for decades. Keeping the prevalence low will help maintain healthy big game populations.

“The ultimate goal is to slow, or prevent, the spread of CWD because it will negatively affect the deer populations and hunting opportunities,” Fish and Game’s State Wildlife Manager Rick Ward said. “We want to keep CWD out of units where it’s not present, but we can’t do that if we don’t know exactly where the disease is located.”

Active and adaptive CWD management that keeps the number of infected animals low typically reduces the spread and means fewer sick animals and more healthy deer available for hunters.