Hunter Training Seminar for CWD Coming to Great Falls

Hunter Training Seminar for CWD Coming to Great Falls

EEI_Tony

If you hunt in Montana, by now you have heard the term CWD, or "chronic wasting disease" being used in regard to big game in the state.  With opening day for rifle season this past weekend, hunters should be checking for the disease in harvested animals.

via GIPHY

An opportunity to learn more about this disease and how to identify it is coming to Great Falls in November, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks are encouraging hunters in the area to attend to be more aware of CWD in wild game.

94.5 Max Country logo
Get our free mobile app

Hunter Information on What Chronic Wasting Disease Is in Montana and Beyond

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first detected in Montana wild animals in 2017 and since 2021 has spread to most of the state's population of whitetail, mule deer and in some cases elk.

Darren Bennett
loading...

READ MORE:  Do My Kids Really Want My Stuff - Probably Not!

The transmission of the fatal neurological disease is "believed to occur both through direct contact with infected individuals or via contact with contaminated environments." for animals.  According to biologists with the MFWP, "Infected animals shed prions in saliva, feces, and urine; these prions may remain infectious in the environment for at least 2 years."

Hunter Training Seminar for CWD Coming to Great Falls

MFWP Region 4 in Central Montana will be hosting a CWD training seminar on how to correctly identify this disease in game animals taken during the hunting season.  The seminar is November 4, 2025, from 6pm to 730pm at the field office located at 4600 Giant Springs Road.

taviphoto
loading...

Attendees can learn how to properly collect your own samples to submit for free testing after harvesting a deer or elk at the seminar.  Hunters with current game animals can also bring them to be tested on site.  MFWP CWD coordinator Jenna Davis will have animals for you to observe how to properly collect a sample.  The training will also include how to pull your own lymph nodes plus a question-and-answer session about chronic wasting disease and the efforts to combat it in Montana.

Know The Difference Between Deer + Elk

The Minnesota DNR is alerting hunters that the elk population in the state is growing and expanding. That means it's important for hunters to be able to tell the difference.

Gallery Credit: Ken Hayes

9 Ways To Avoid Hitting A Deer In Montana

State Farm Insurance came out with a list of states with the worst odds of hitting an animal, and Montana came in 2nd. There is a 1 in 44 chance, you will hit an animal while living and driving in Montana. The most common months for this to happen are October, November, and December. If you are traveling through the surrounding states, your odds of hitting a deer don't really get any better. North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho are all considered "high risk" or "medium risk" for the odds of hitting an animal.

Here are State Farm Insurance's 9 ways to help avoid hitting a deer.

Gallery Credit: Megan Shaul

Ranking 50 United States by Deer Population

The United States of America is home to one of the world's most impressive, and varied, deer herds. Using data gathered from each state by A-Z-Animals.com, let's count down to the state with the largest population of deer.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Filed Under: deer, hunting, montana hunting, wild animals
Categories: Articles

More From 94.5 Max Country