Montana wildlife managers have approved a special hunt to learn more about the prevalence of chronic wasting disease in south central Montana.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Thursday to allow the hunt that will begin December 15. Licenses will go on sale December 11.
Greg Lemon with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the hunt follows the first finding of chronic wasting disease in wild deer in Montana, this fall. He says there are new rules in place for this special hunt.
"Every animal that is killed must be sampled. We’re going to need to get hunters to go through check stations. They’ve got 72 hours to submit the animal for sampling," Lemon says.
FWP has established a transport restriction zone for carcasses killed during this hunt. This means that whole carcasses, heads, and spinal columns will not be allowed outside the designated area in order to prevent potential spread of chronic wasting disease.
FWP will sell 600 licenses for both white-tailed deer and mule deer. The hunt area spans more than 1,200 square miles south of Laurel.