Wyoming elk herds are on a chronic wasting disease (CWD) watchlist. The disease, which was highly prevalent in the state’s deer herds, seems to be spreading to another iconic big game species. CWD was recently detected in a cow elk carcass found dead on public land in the Jackson area, according to the Cowboy State Daily.

“If it (CWD) is not the highest concern for Wyoming wildlife, it should be. It’s fatal to the animals, it’s spreading and it’s moving west,” said Josh Coursey, president and CEO of the Muley Fanatics mule deer conservation group.

“The one thing we know about CWD is, when you concentrate animals, it highly increases the risk of it spreading,” he added.

The state recently announced a new focus on revamping current elk feedground management strategy with a number of key stakeholders paying close attention. Feedgrounds were already under fire as the unnatural congregation of deer and elk around supplemental feed sources can act as a breeding ground for CWD cross contamination as well as the spread of other diseases.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is monitoring the situation and currently requires mandatory CWD testing in hunt areas 171, 157, 89 ,88, 70 and 22 for deer, but offers voluntary testing as well for hunters who turn in the heads or lymph nodes from animals they’ve harvested.

Do you think CWD will impact elk herds like it has deer herds in the West? How do you think the state should manage the spread? Special hunts? Increased or expanded mandatory testing? Weigh in below.