PABLO, MT – A second incidence of Chronic Wasting Disease is suspected on the Flathead Indian Reservation from a sample test returned Wednesday from a harvested whitetailed deer. CSKT’s Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation and Conservation staff received the initial positive test results Nov. 12 from the State Laboratory. CSKT’s Wildlife Program sent in the suspected sample Nov. 3rd from a harvested white-tailed deer. The program has been sending in samples weekly. As a matter of protocol, the positive sample is currently being tested at a second facility to confirm a positive incidence of CWD. However, in part due to a confirmed case of CWD in January, CSKT’s wildlife program has activated initial response measures contained in the Tribes’ protocol from the CWD Surveillance and Management Plan.
“Our goal is to protect the community and prevent further spreading within our Reservation,” said Rich Janssen, Natural Resources Department Head. “Tribal hunters need to be testing their harvests.”
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that effects deer, elk and moose and is spread by animalto-animal contact, but can also be spread by dumping carcasses in unaffected areas.
Ways to Help Protect Everyone
CSKT Wildlife needs the help of Tribal hunters by testing all harvested white-tailed deer for
CWD (as well as mule deer, elk and moose) that are harvested from the CWD Management
Zone (See Map). More detailed maps are available for hunters planning on harvesting in the
area. Four big game check-stations are available every Thursday – Sunday for hunters to
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Communications Office
P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855
to have animals sampled at no cost. Our Polson office (408 6th Ave East, Polson) is open Monday – Thursday to collect samples. We also have hunter sample kits available to pick up at check stations if hunters feel comfortable taking samples themselves in the field. Hunters can process the meat while waiting for results, just be sure it is kept separate from all other meat until negative test results are received. It is also highly recommended not to use any additional parts of an animal (brain, hide, etc.) until it is certain the animal is negative for CWD. This disease can be spread to new areas on the Reservation if any part of an infected carcass is dumped in the woods. Dispose of all unused parts as normal household trash in a plastic garbage bag, or at the Polson Transfer Station (or any Class II landfill). DO NOT dump a carcass in the woods unless there is confirmation that the animal is negative for CWD, otherwise CWD will be spread to big game in the new area.
End of article. Article courtesy of The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation and Conservation. Full article can be found at https://cskt.org/second-possible-reservation-case/.