Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Elk Hunt Area 116

News – Sheridan Media

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease for the first time in Elk Hunt Area 116 in the Casper Region.

Game and Fish confirmed the disease in an adult elk found in the hunt area located in the northeast corner of the state. Elk Hunt Area 116 borders CWD-positive areas 117, where the disease was detected in 2008, and 129, detected in 2020. The hunt area is part of the Black Hills Elk Herd, which spans elk areas 116, 117 and 1, where CWD was also detected in 2020.

To keep the public informed, Game and Fish announces when chronic wasting disease is found in a new hunt area.

CWD is 100% fatal to infected deer, elk and moose. Continued monitoring of the disease over time helps Game and Fish understand potential impacts and evaluate future management actions. Hunters can assist with data collection by submitting free samples for testing when hunting in priority or mandatory CWD testing areas.

More information on how to provide test samples can be found on the Game and Fish website. A map of endemic areas is also available on the department’s CWD webpage. Members of the public are asked to contact the nearest Game and Fish office if an animal appears sick or injured.

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Last modified: October 15, 2025