Wyoming Asks Elk Hunters to Help With Brucellosis Study

Wyoming is asking elk hunters to send in blood sample of the elk they kill to help in the fight against brucellosis. (Photo by Bill Konway)

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is asking elk hunters for their help in fighting brucellosis in the state’s elk herd. According to county17.com, the WGFD appreciates hunters who’ve collected biological samples for study and testing in the past. This fall, Wyoming is asking that hunters in select elk hunt areas help again by collecting blood samples from their harvested animals to contribute to the brucellosis surveillance efforts.

Brucellosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus, affects elk, bison and domestic cattle and can cause them to abort calves and further transmit the disease. Studies show that Brucellosis can slightly reduce elk pregnancy rates but not limit the population. The main concern is that elk can transmit the disease to domestic cattle.

WGFD is asking those hunting in targeted areas for the 2025 season to help collect data by taking a blood sample from their elk immediately after harvest using a Game and Fish sample kit, keeping it cool and submitting it soon after harvest.

The northeast Wyoming targeted elk hunt areas are 1, 2, 113, 116, 117, 122, 123 and 126. Other elk hunt areas in the state are also targeted for sampling.

The WGFD will mail sample kits to hunters in the targeted elk hunt areas about two weeks before the opening date of that particular hunt area and license type. Since not all hunters will receive a kit, it’s important for those hunters who do receive a kit and harvest an animal to submit a sample.

Hunters who don’t harvest an elk this year should save the blood kit for a future hunt or return it unused to a Game and Fish office or to field personnel.

Hunters who submit a usable sample for testing will be entered into a raffle for prizes.