MILES CITY – Wildlife officials have asked state hunters to help find chronic wasting disease in southeastern Montana deer.
Hunters should leave the heads of their kills in drop barrels located across the region. One or two vertebrae should be left at the base of the head for a more accurate analysis. Barrel sites include Miles City, Broadus, Ashland and Baker.
The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department is asking hunters to fill out tags to be left with the animal head indicating where it was killed. The agency also wants hunters’ addresses and phone numbers for notification if the animal is diseased. Test results aren’t expected until at least six weeks after the end of big game hunting season.
Up to this year, officials tested 1,700 deer and elk from around Montana. None tested positive for chronic wasting disease.