Chronic Wasting Disease Detected on the Flathead Indian Reservation

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in the Hog Heaven Management Unit from a harvested mule deer. The sample was recently submitted by the CSKT Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation and Conservation (DFWRC) staff and the positive results were received from the State Laboratory on January 6th, 2025. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that effects deer, elk and moose. The disease is spread by animal to animal contact, but can also be spread by dumping carcasses in unaffected areas. The CSKT Wildlife Program is implementing the initial response protocol from the Tribe’s CWD Surveillance and Management Plan.