More bad news for Montana deer

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   More bad news with CWDScientific consensus and management data from January 2026 indicate that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is unlikely to "balance out" naturally in a way that stops killing Montana's
 herds. Because CWD is caused by nearly indestructible proteins (prions) rather than a typical virus or bacteria, it does not follow the normal pattern of a disease where a population eventually develops herd immunity. < aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;">
Key factors regarding the long-term impact on Montana's herds include:< aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;">
Permanent Environmental Contamination: Prions can remain infectious in the soil for years or even decades, long after an infected animal has died. This creates a cycle of reinfection that prevents the disease from simply "running its course".
Threshold for Population Collapse: Research from other states (like Wyoming and Colorado) shows that when CWD prevalence in a herd exceeds 20% to 40%, the population begins to decline sharply because the death rate outpaces the birth rate.
Current Montana Trends (2025-2026): In some northern Montana hunting districts, prevalence has already surpassed critical levels, with adult mule deer testing as high as 34% positive in late 2025. In January 2026, the disease was detected in new districts, confirming its continued spread.
Reproductive Lag: Because CWD can take up to two years to kill an animal, infected deer and elk may still reproduce before dying. While this prevents immediate extinction, it ensures the disease continues to spread to offspring and the surrounding environment.
Management Over Eradication: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has shifted its 2026–2027 regulations to focus on reducing herd density to slow transmission, acknowledging that the disease cannot be eradicated. < aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;">
While CWD may not completely wipe out deer and elk, it is expected to lead to permanently smaller, younger, and less healthy herds in heavily infected areas rather than reaching a stable "balance" that stops causing fatalities
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Edited by d4570 - 24 January 2026 at 15:38

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d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Online Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: More bad news for Montana deer Posted: 24 January 2026 at 15:26
	More bad news with CWD Scientific consensus and management data from January 2026 indicate that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is unlikely to "balance out" naturally in a way that stops killing Montana's herds. Because CWD is caused by nearly indestructible proteins (prions) rather than a typical virus or bacteria, it does not follow the normal pattern of a disease where a population eventually develops herd immunity. < aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;"> Key factors regarding the long-term impact on Montana's herds include:< aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;"> Permanent Environmental Contamination: Prions can remain infectious in the soil for years or even decades, long after an infected animal has died. This creates a cycle of reinfection that prevents the disease from simply "running its course". Threshold for Population Collapse: Research from other states (like Wyoming and Colorado) shows that when CWD prevalence in a herd exceeds 20% to 40%, the population begins to decline sharply because the death rate outpaces the birth rate. Current Montana Trends (2025-2026): In some northern Montana hunting districts, prevalence has already surpassed critical levels, with adult mule deer testing as high as 34% positive in late 2025. In January 2026, the disease was detected in new districts, confirming its continued spread. Reproductive Lag: Because CWD can take up to two years to kill an animal, infected deer and elk may still reproduce before dying. While this prevents immediate extinction, it ensures the disease continues to spread to offspring and the surrounding environment. Management Over Eradication: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has shifted its 2026–2027 regulations to focus on reducing herd density to slow transmission, acknowledging that the disease cannot be eradicated. < aria-label="View related s" style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; : rgb233, 235, 240; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; border-radius: 10px; height: 20px; padding: 0px; width: 20px; outline: 0px;"> While CWD may not completely wipe out deer and elk, it is expected to lead to permanently smaller, younger, and less healthy herds in heavily infected areas rather than reaching a stable "balance" that stops causing fatalities www.w3.org="" 2000="" svg"="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="3 3 18 18" data-sae=""> Edited by d4570 - 24 January 2026 at 15:38
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Online Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 January 2026 at 15:39
	Sorry for the extra garbage in the post. I copied it.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 January 2026 at 18:37
	I'm sure the situation is the same in Wyoming. Maybe even worse because, if i'm not mistaken, CWD started down by Laramie when the game and fish caught a bunch of deer and elk and put them in pens to study them. It doesn't sound like there's a cure for it.
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Online Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 January 2026 at 18:43
	NOPE no cure! There is two other thinks killing them too. Blue lounge and another blood thing. 3 strikes and there out.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 January 2026 at 20:30
	good info D. thanks, same everwhere
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

MapleHill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 01 January 2016 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 796	Post Options Post Reply Quote MapleHill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 January 2026 at 16:54
	I know where we go in the Eastern part is decimated compared to what it was...so disappointing...