Zombie Deer Near Missoula? CWD Reported in Western Montana

We’ve all heard of chronic wasting disease (CWD) by this point. That nasty neurodegenerative disease turns deer, elk and moose into walking zombies. Biologists have been sounding alarms for years about it spreading, and now it is officially knocking on Missoula’s door.

A recent CWD positive mule deer on the Flathead Reservation near Elmo. And a short distance down the road in Granite County, wildlife officials had to euthanize a deer near Philipsburg that exhibited all the signs. This is not good news.

Why do I call it Zombie Deer Disease?

Consider CWD to be the wildlife equivalent of Mad Cow Disease. It invades the brains of deer, elk, and moose, gradually transforming them into a bag of bones and the walking dead. The scariest part? Sick animals can be contagious for years before they exhibit symptoms. That means it may already be more widespread than we realize.

Hunters I’ve spoken to who’ve encountered infected deer claim they look like something out of The Walking Dead. Creatures that wander mindlessly through the woods. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, I don’t know what will.

Should You Be Worried?

If you’re a hunter, then yes, definitely. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is reminding hunters to have their harvested deer, elk and moose tested for CWD. Currently, the bulk of disease monitoring in the state comes from voluntary testing by hunters.

And if you’re not a hunter? Still pay attention. CWD doesn't simply vanish. It lingers in soil, plants and water, so the disease can continue to spread even in the absence of infected animals. And though there is yet to be any confirmed case of it even jumping to humans… let’s just say this isn’t a settled matter, either.

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Where Is CWD Spreading?

The disease has been spreading across Montana for years and detected in:

• Elmo, Flathead Reservation
• Granite County and the region near Philipsburg
• The Hi-Line
• The Libby area
• Southeastern Montana

If you do any hunting in these areas, YOU MUST have your animals tested before you eat them. Better safe than sorry.

What’s Next?

Right now, CWD is here, and it’s not going anywhere. If you observe a deer abnormally between stumbling and drooling and emaciated, contact FWP. The only thing we can do to slow this is to stay aware and do our part.