SLATE CREEK, Idaho — Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) detected Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in roughly 10 percent of the wild game tested in the Slate Creek area.
As part of Fish and Game's effort to minimize the spread of CWD in Idaho game, IDFG killed and then tested a total of 157 deer and elk in order to conduct the study, according to IDFG. Of those, 16 tested positive for CWD, with the majority of cases found in white-tailed deer.
The three-week project occurred in the Slate Creek area north of Riggins in February. The area, which includes McKinzie Creek, Slate Creek and John Day Creek drainages, is a "hot spot" for animals carrying the disease, IDFG said. Some parcels of land in unit 18 also had CWD-positive animals.
Spring 2024 CWD Results - Number of animals tested and number of CWD positive detections:
- White-tailed deer:
- 83 tested
- 12 positive for CWD
- Mule deer:
- 72 tested
- 3 CWD positive
- Elk:
- 2 tested
- 1 CWD positive
This is the second year IDFG performed this method of monitoring the contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has no cure or vaccine, nor is there an effective way to test for the disease on live animals, according to IDFG.
Since animals must be killed in order to be tested, IDFG reduces waste by donating the healthy meat that tested negative for CWD to local food banks and charities to be distributed to those in need of food. This season, the department donated approximately 8,000 pounds of meat, according to IDFG.
Deer that tested positive for the disease were disposed of at an approved facility, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
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