Officials warn Eastern WA hunters to watch for neurological disease in deer and elk

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife is expanding its testing for chronic wasting disease in deer and elk in southeast Washington.

There has been no chronic wasting disease found in Washington state, but it has been detected in central Idaho and 28 other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The testing remains voluntary in Washington. But hunters are encouraged to participate because animals that have the illness can appear normal until the end stages of the disease, but are spreading it to other animals, according to Fish and Wildlife.

The CDC also is concerned that it is not yet known whether eating venison or elk meat could infect people.

In areas where the disease is known to be present, the CDC recommends that hunters strongly consider having elk and dear tested before eating the meat.

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife says that the brain, spinal cord and some organs should not be eaten and that hunters avoid cutting through bone, brain or spinal cord and disinfect their tools in bleach after use.

The closest check station to the Tri-Cities is at Hood Park on Hood Park Road in Burbank. It will be open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 15-16 and Oct. 22-23.

There also will be check stations open the same hours at the Department of Transportation Walla Walla Highway 12 weigh station and at the Pacific Pride Gas Station on Main Street in Washtucna.

Animals should have about two to three inches of neck attached to the head for the tissues needed for the check.

Animals hunted in many areas of Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties are eligible for testing.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurologic illness. Symptoms of animals in late stages include weight loss, lethargy, drooping ears, excessive salivation and loss of fear of people.

Hunters also can make other arrangements for testing deer or elk, including filling out an online form to set up an appointment with state staff. Go to wdfw.wa.gov and search for “chronic wasting disease.”

Washington state Fish and Wildlife Department also reminds people that certain parts of deer, elk, moose or caribou killed anywhere outside the state cannot be brought across state boundaries.

Exceptions include canine teeth, hides, taxidermy mounts, some antlers and meat that has been deboned.