Samples from 25 deer harvested around the state tested positive for chronic wasting disease last week. The majority of the new positive samples were from animals harvested within CWD Management Zones, where the disease is known to exist.

Two of the positive samples were from areas where the disease had not been previously detected. These include a mule deer doe harvested in hunting district 650 south of the Fort Peck Reservation, and a white-tailed buck harvested in HD 702 in Rosebud County. These two areas are adjacent to CWD Management Zones.

This brings the number of positive samples collected this year to 91, including one elk and one moose.

This year Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is conducting CWD surveillance in high-priority areas in parts of northern, western and southern Montana, primarily from hunter-harvested animals. In addition, hunters in all…