G&F continues disease surveillance in Jackson elk herd
by Wyoming Game & Fish
October 23, 2006
(Jackson) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and National Elk Refuge (NER) hunters to again collect blood samples from harvested elk for brucellosis surveillance. Hunting seasons began October 20th in GTNP and October 21st on the NER. Hunters can enter a drawing to hunt on the NER each Friday at 4:00 PM at the Teton County Fairgrounds, from October 20-November 24th.
Blood collection kits can be obtained from the Jackson Game and Fish office, at 420 N. Cache, while purchasing hunting licenses, or in the field from game wardens and biologists. NER hunters can receive a blood kit at the license draw.
Successful hunters can deposit blood samples at the entrance to the NER, Jackson Game and Fish office, or at tooth drop locations at GTNP Moose Visitor Center and the Moran entrance. These locations will have an obvious, marked cooler for samples.
"It's important that hunters take blood very soon after harvesting an animal," said Jill Miller, G&F Brucellosis-Feedground-Habitat biologist. Blood should not be frozen or clotted. There are simple instructions in the hunter packets on how to take a sample.
G&F will again be collecting samples for chronic wasting disease from GTNP and NER hunters this year. Head collection barrels will be located at the access parking lots on the NER, and at the tooth drop locations at the Moose Visitor Center and Moran entrance, in GTNP. Hunters who are interested in receiving the results of their animal can leave their elk heads at the Jackson Game and Fish office during regular office hours and receive a barcode number they can check online.
"G&F routinely requests hunters assistance for disease surveillance because hunters have shown us they care about having healthy herds," said Miller. "Thankfully, we have not found CWD in deer or elk herds in the Jackson Region."
To pick up blood collection kits, or for more information on brucellosis or chronic wasting disease, hunters can contact the Jackson Game and Fish Department office at (307) 733-2321 or 1-800-423-4113 (in-state only). For more information, contact Chris Colligan, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Brucellosis Information and Education Specialist, Jackson, phone: (307) 733-2321 Ext. 232
christopher.colligan@wgf.state.wy.us
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