What Missoula Mule Deer Hunters Need to Know About CWD—September 23 Meeting

MISSOULA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists are hosting an information session on mule deer at the Missoula office (3201 Spurgin Rd) on Wednesday, Sept. 23 beginning at 6 p.m. The gathering is a chance to hear from local wildlife biologists and ask questions about mule deer numbers, current research, and factors affecting their population in west-central Montana.

For the second hour of the meeting, FWP’s wildlife health biologist, Bevin McCormick, will present on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Montana. Although there have only been a few detections of CWD in west-central Montana, monitoring for new cases continues, and other areas of the state have higher confirmed prevalence. McCormick will share how hunters are an important piece of those monitoring efforts and talk more about the disease, its impact, and the management strategy in Montana.

FWP is holding similar meetings in some other parts of the state as a chance to share more information on the state’s mule deer population and CWD. For a glimpse into what is happening in each region related to mule deer, view these recent FWP short videos on mule deer in Montana.

At the Missoula meeting, FWP Region 2 wildlife biologists will share information from recent population surveys, a perspective on long-terms trends, and thoughts on the upcoming hunting season for the first hour, followed by CWD for the second hour. Participants can attend either or both, with a chance to ask questions.

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