Yakama Nation Wildlife Resource Management Program
CWD is a disease that attacks the neurological system of cervids (deer, elk and moose). This disease causes dysfunction of the body’s control system, ultimately causing death. CWD is extremely contagious and once it is in a population, it spreads rapidly. Cervids can appear “normal” up to 2 years after being exposed to CWD, making testing even the healthiest looking cervids important. There is currently no known cure for CWD.
CWD has been detected in about 30 US states. The first Washington state detection of CWD was in Spokane County, GMU 124, in 2024. Although it has not been detected anywhere else in Washington state, early detection and responsiveness is key to slowing the rapid spread of this disease and attempt to prevent it from establishing in our regional cervid populations.
Yakama Nation Big Game Staff will be collecting samples to test for CWD. Tribal hunters can bring their deer or elk head into the WRMP office for staff to sample. To ensure sampling is efficient, we ask that hunters leave at least 3 inches of the neck on the animal to guarantee samples are intact. We encourage hunters to call and set up appointments to collect samples. If a harvest is made during the weekend, samples can be stored in a refrigerator. Only fresh samples will be taken.
CWD can transfer into the population very quickly through one infected animal’s bodily fluids, such as feces, saliva, urine or blood. Infected animals can contaminate the food, water, or soil they interact with. There is also the possibility that predators contribute to the geographic spread of CWD after consumption or dispersion of the infected animal.