CWD public information session set in Chester

Press release

Fish, Wildlife and Parks will have a public information session Oct. 15 in Chester regarding Chronic Wasting Disease and planned surveillance efforts for the upcoming hunting season.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Chester High School auditorium, 511 Main St.

Last year, FWP discovered CWD in deer south of Billings and north of Chester. CWD is an always fatal disease of deer, elk and moose and if left unmanaged can cause significant population declines over time.

It is not known to affect humans or livestock.

FWP will conduct extra surveillance during the general fall hunting season in high-priority areas in parts of northern and western Montana, including Hunting Districts 401 and 403.

Check stations for collecting samples from deer and elk will be in operation in Chester and Shelby, from Thursdays through Mondays, during the HD 401 and 403 general deer season, Oct. 20 to Nov. 11.

From Nov 12-25 the check stations will be open Fridays through Sundays.

Exact locations will be announced later.

All hunters must stop at all check stations, but submission of CWD samples is voluntary.

To learn more visit http://www.fwp.mt.gov/cwd/. FWP ensures that its meetings are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. To request special accommodations for the Oct. 15 meeting, or if there are any questions, call FWP Region 4 in Great Falls at 406-454-5840.