Whitefish mulls deer management after chronic wasting disease found in Flathead Valley

Whitefish City Council at a recent work session discussed the city's robust urban deer population with the first case of chronic wasting disease detected in the Flathead Valley last fall.

“Roughly, it’s a two-year death sentence for any deer that can get chronic wasting disease,” said Ethan Lula, wildlife biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “Symptoms really not showing until about 18 months.” 

Lula said the fatal neurological disease is slow moving and affects cervids like deer, elk and moose. He reiterated it does not affect cows or dogs and, as far as the evidence suggests, it does not affect people, but officials recommend against eating infected animals.