News – Sheridan Media
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is inviting the public to a free, hands-on workshop to learn how to collect a chronic wasting disease (CWD) sample from harvested deer or elk. The training will be held from 6–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Cheyenne Game and Fish headquarters, 5400 Bishop Blvd.
CWD is a disease that is always fatal to deer, elk, and moose. It poses a serious threat to wildlife in Wyoming and beyond. Proper sample collection is essential for monitoring and understanding the disease’s spread. Hunters, taxidermists, and game meat processors all play a critical role in this effort.
The Game and Fish is alerting deer hunters in southeast Wyoming that CWD sample collection is extremely important this year. Sample collection is mandatory in deer hunt area 70 (Shirley Mountain) and highly recommended in deer hunt area 15 (Goshen Rim), where the department is monitoring the spread and prevalence of the disease.
“This workshop is a great opportunity for anyone interested in wildlife conservation or concerned about mule deer and chronic wasting disease,” Laramie Region Wildlife Biologist Keaton Weber said. “By learning how to take a sample, community members can directly contribute to the long-term health of Wyoming’s big game populations.”
The training will cover step-by-step techniques for collecting lymph node samples and provide instructions for safe handling and submission. All equipment will be provided during the workshop.
The event is free, and participants are asked to RSVP online or by emailing hannah.smith@wyo.gov. For more information on CWD, visit the Game and Fish CWD webpage.
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Last modified: August 22, 2025