BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game reported the first positive case of chronic wasting disease of the fall 2023 hunting season has been found in a mule deer near New Meadows.
IDFG said the deer that tested positive for waste disease was found roughly seven miles south of New Meadows. This is the first known case outside of the Riggins area, where the disease was first detected in Idaho in the fall of 2021.
CWD is a contagious disease that affects deer, elk and moose. According to IDFG, there is currently there is no cure for the disease, no reliable live test for wild animals and no vaccine to prevent the disease.
IDFG is asking all hunters participating in deer and elk hunts between New Meadows and Council to have their animals tested. Hunters can take heads of the harvested deer and elk to any regional fish and game office for sampling.
"We really rely on hunters to provide those samples, that's the best way for us to understand if it exists out there, where it might be and at what rate,” said Roger Phillips IDGG public information supervisor. “Hunters have been very good about cooperating with this. If they continue doing that, it is one of the best tools we have to really understand the situation."
IDFG said the symptoms of the disease in deer and elk include excessive drooling, drooping head or ears, tremors, extremely low body weight and unusual behavior like showing no fear of humans or lack of coordination.
The organization told KTVB that this situation is very different from the last time they detected CWD because the animals in the area near new meadows are migratory, which means they move very long distances during the winter. Unlike in the Riggins area, where this disease was first detected, where the animals stayed in that area making it easier to mitigate the situation.
IDFG is asking people to report any deer or elk killed on Highway 95 between Riggins and Weiser and any deer that appear sick to the Nampa regional office at (208) 465-8465, or the McCall regional office at (208) 634-8137. Idahoans can also use the roadkill reporting webpage. They say that will help them better understand the situation.
They have a meeting scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15 in Lewiston where they will have updates on the situation.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.