Home / Environment / 82 Wild Deer Killed Over CWD Fears in Idaho
82 Wild Deer Killed Over CWD Fears in Idaho
3 Mar
Summary
- 82 wild mule deer were culled due to chronic wasting disease fears.
- Regulations were loosened on captive elk breeding facilities.
- Biosecurity failures allow wild and captive cervids to intermingle.
In February 2026, Idaho officials culled 82 wild mule deer at Juniper Mountain Ranch near Rexburg out of concern for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This incident occurred after wild deer entered the high-fence facility, which was under enhanced testing due to CWD fears. The cull was deemed necessary to prevent any possible spread of the disease.
This event underscores ongoing biosecurity failures involving captive elk facilities in Idaho. Public records reveal a pattern of wild cervids entering high-fence ranches or domestic animals escaping. Such intermingling between wild and captive elk, deer, and moose poses a significant risk as CWD spreads within wild herds and domestic operations.
Recent incidents include escaped elk from Juniper Mountain Ranch and Broadmouth Canyon Ranch being hunted in September and October of the previous year. Additionally, a wild moose euthanized on Broadmouth Canyon Ranch in October 2024 tested positive for CWD. Conservationists argue that recent legislative changes, enacted in February 2024, have weakened regulations, such as removing double-fencing requirements for quarantined facilities.
These security breaches and disease concerns stem from a new law that eased regulations on high-fence elk ranches. Conservationists criticize the Idaho Department of Agriculture for inadequate enforcement and penalties, asserting that the state's wildlife is bearing the cost. Efforts are underway to manage CWD, with a goal to keep it from spreading and contain it as slowly as possible.
