Seven mule deer and five elk harvested by hunters outside the established area have tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

The Division of Wildlife (DOW) announced today that seven mule deer and five elk harvested by hunters outside the established area have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). One elk and one deer were taken in game management units (GMU) where the disease had not previously been found. The new units were GMUs 4 northeast of Craig and 6 east of Walden.

The new positive animals are:

– A mule deer buck taken Sept. 15 in GMU 51 (south of Denver) – A mule deer buck taken Nov. 5 in GMU 4 (on the Colorado-Wyoming border northeast of Craig) – A mule deer buck taken Nov. 2 in GMU 11 (northwest of Meeker) – Two mule deer bucks both taken Nov. 2 in GMU 12 (northeast of Meeker) – A mule deer buck taken Nov. 7 in GMU 441 (north of Hayden) – A doe mule deer taken Nov. 4 in GMU 13 (north and east of Pagoda) – A bull elk taken Nov. 11 in GMU 12 (northeast of Meeker) – Two bull elk taken Nov. 2 and Nov. 5 in GMU 18 (north of Hot Sulphur Springs) – A cow elk taken Nov. 4 in GMU 6 (northern Colorado east of Walden) – A cow elk taken Nov. 3 in GMU 18 (north of Hot Sulphur Springs)

For more precise harvest location information, see the map on the Division of Wildlife’s Web site http://wildlife.state.co.us/CWD/Detected_CWDMap.jpg indicating where CWD-positive animals have been found.

The Division of Wildlife has notified the hunters who killed the animals, and their license fees will be refunded.

To date, hunters have submitted approximately 22,304 animals for testing and test results have been released on approximately 20,166. From all harvest sources, including hunters, road kills and culling, CWD has been detected in 135 animals, including 43 outside the area of northeastern Colorado (including the most recent positives).

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease of deer and elk that has been found in portions of northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming for more than two decades. State and federal health officials have found no connection between CWD and any human illness. But as a precaution, hunters are advised not to eat the meat from diseased animals.

Hunters may submit their animals for testing at Division of Wildlife offices around the state and at the offices of some veterinarians. For a complete list of submission sites and for more information about chronic wasting disease, visit the Division’s Web site at www.wildlife.state.co.us, or call a Division of Wildlife office.

Testing is voluntary for hunters outside the CWD established area in a portion of northeastern Colorado and costs $17. Deer and elk hunters in the established area are required to submit their animals for testing, and the test is free.

To ensure testing accuracy, the animal’s head should be kept cool so the tissue sample to be tested is in good condition. Do not allow the head to rest in water and do not freeze the head. Samples that have spoiled cannot be accurately tested.

The Division of Wildlife will call all hunters whose animals test positive. Hunters who wish to see the results for themselves can find them on the Division’s Web site. Click on “chronic wasting disease” on the left-hand side, then click on “CWD Test Results” and enter the submission numbers.

Hunters also may check the results for themselves by calling the CWD hot line. The CWD hot line number is (800) 434-0274. Hunters will need the head submission number from the test form to activate the automated response system.

For more information on CWD, testing and the most recent news on the disease, see the Division of Wildlife’s Chronic Wasting Disease Web page at http://wildlife.state.co.us/cwd/.

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