Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department staff sample a deer for chronic wasting disease at the Celilo Park check station in 2022.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for assistance from the public in stopping the spread of an animal disease that threatens deer and elk populations.

The agency will increase sampling efforts for chronic wasting disease throughout the state by providing hunters with opportunities to have their harvested animals tested during the 2023 deer and elk hunting season, according to a release.

The sampling effort is being made to prevent a fatal disease outbreak. Chronic wasting disease check stations will be established around the state and are mandatory stops for people transporting deer or elk.

There is currently no evidence that humans can contract chronic wasting disease from eating or handling meat from an animal infected with the disease.

For a list of chronic wasting disease check station locations, visit myodfw.com/cwd. The site also lists ODFW offices and other ways to get your deer or elk tested, such as a taxidermist or meat processor.

Chronic wasting disease was detected in northern Idaho in 2021, around 30 miles from the Oregon border. It is fatal to deer and elk and there is no cure. If the disease is detected, ODFW can implement a response plan to contain its spread.

Deer and elk that have the disease can be shedding it in soil and spreading it for years before showing symptoms. ODFW has surveilled deer and elk herds for the disease for more than 20 years by testing around 27,000 hunter-harvested, road-killed and other deceased animals.

Stops at testing sites take about 10 minutes for ODFW officials to collect samples. Failure to stop could result in a citation. Testing results are available online. In Central Oregon, a testing station will be set up at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville to coincide with the opening weekend of Rocky Mountain elk season (Nov. 4-6).

Several taxidermy and meat processing businesses have agreed to collect chronic wasting disease samples from deer and elk they receive from their clients. Options in Bend include McLagan’s Taxidermy.

Wildlife biologists can also collect samples at ODFW offices around the region. Samples are collected from the animal’s head, so it’s recommended to keep the deer or elk head cool prior to sampling. The office in Bend has a drop-off barrel for after-hours collection. ODFW recommends using bags and ID cards with ID numbers and contact information so the agency can provide testing results. Bags and ID cards are provided by ODFW next to drop off bins.