PINEDALE, WY — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) confirmed Monday that chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in Deer Hunt Area 141, a newly designated hunting zone near Green River Lakes. The announcement adds another focus area to a region already grappling with the fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose.
Location and neighboring focus areas
Deer Hunt Area 141 sits in the Pinedale region and borders four other hunt areas where CWD has been documented in recent years: Area 128 (first detected in 2016), Area 142 (2020), and Areas 154 and 155 (both identified in 2022). The new zone also overlaps with Elk Hunt Area 95, meaning both deer and elk hunters may encounter the disease.
What CWD means for hunters
CWD is always fatal and attacks the nervous system of affected wildlife. In response, WGFD asks hunters in designated focus zones to participate in testing programs. Those who harvest deer in Area 141 are encouraged to submit lymph‑node samples from each animal so the department can monitor the spread of the disease. While many western Wyoming hunt zones do not require mandatory testing, the agency stresses that voluntary sampling is critical for early detection and management.
How the public can help
WGFD urges anyone who observes a sick or injured animal in the region to contact the nearest WGFD office. Prompt reporting helps officials respond quickly and may prevent further transmission. The department also continues to publish updates on new CWD discoveries, keeping the public informed about which areas are designated as focus zones.
Implications for the local hunting community
Local hunters and outfitters have expressed a mix of concern and resolve. Many understand that testing and reporting are essential steps to protect the long‑term health of Wyoming’s wildlife populations and to preserve hunting opportunities for future generations. The agency’s transparent communication aims to reassure residents that proactive measures are in place.
What’s next?
WGFD will continue surveillance across all known focus areas and will update hunters as new data become available. The department also plans to work with landowners, wildlife biologists and the broader community to develop strategies that limit the spread of CWD while maintaining responsible hunting practices.
For more information on testing procedures, sample submission, or to report a sick animal, contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at [email protected] or call the Pinedale office at (307) 555‑1234.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
