Game and Fish Reports Disease, Wolverine Updates

Wyoming's wildlife commission received updates on chronic wasting disease in deer and elk and on wolverine monitoring efforts.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hunting

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a single elk silhouetted on a snowy conifer ridge above a sagebrush basin, evoking Wyoming wildlife management. — Wyoming wildlife officials reviewed chronic wasting disease in deer and elk and new wolverine tracking efforts as the Game and Fish Commission met, and Commissioner Kenneth Roberts announced he will resign effective January 3. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission received updates on chronic wasting disease and wolverine monitoring. Commissioner Kenneth Roberts also announced his resignation, effective January 3.

Why it matters

Chronic wasting disease is now present in most elk and mule deer herds statewide, shaping hunting seasons for hunters across Wyoming. Season adjustments aim to reduce the disease in higher-prevalence areas or limit its spread to neighboring herds.

Chronic wasting disease is present in 71% of elk herds and 95% of mule deer herds statewide. Wolverine monitoring with western states and federal partners has run since 2015, with a collaring effort beginning in 2023.

The players

Wyoming Game and Fish Commission

The state body that oversees wildlife management, hunting seasons and conservation policy across Wyoming.

Kenneth Roberts

Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner who was elected to serve in the Wyoming Legislature and is resigning effective January 3.

The details

Game and Fish is making season adjustments in some hunt areas to increase harvest where chronic wasting disease prevalence is higher. The Paintrock Mule Deer Herd has implemented focused harvest strategies, while Game and Fish and U.S. Forest Service personnel collar wolverines to track movement, habitat use, diet and reproduction.

2015: Rangewide wolverine monitoring partnership with western states and federal partners begins.
2023: Wolverine collaring effort begins with Game and Fish and U.S. Forest Service personnel.
January 3: Kenneth Roberts's resignation as commissioner takes effect.

Hunting Landscape

Wyoming's wolverine work continues a monitoring partnership with western states and federal partners that began in 2015, extending it with a collaring effort started in 2023. The chronic wasting disease figures indicate the disease is now widespread across the state's elk and mule deer herds.

Hunters in areas with higher chronic wasting disease prevalence may see adjusted seasons designed to increase harvest. These changes are meant to reduce the disease locally or keep it from spreading to neighboring herds.

The takeaway

Hunters across Wyoming should check current season adjustments for their hunt area, since chronic wasting disease is now present in most elk and mule deer herds statewide. Following those rules helps limit the disease's spread.

What happens next

Game and Fish will continue wolverine monitoring this winter to determine wolverine occupancy across the state, and will continue wolverine collaring efforts this year.