Washington disease risk map.
Washington confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2024 in the eastern part of the state. WDFW has implemented surveillance and management actions in the affected area. Verify current zone boundaries and requirements with WDFW.
Disease detections, management zones, and transport rules change. Cross-reference this page with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the USDA APHIS distribution map before relying on it for hunting decisions.
CWD detection timeline
From first publicly-reported detection to the most recent year on record. Verify current detection counts with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Washington county detections
1 county with seeded CWD records. The agency may have additional positive counties — verify before each hunt.
| County | FIPS | First / Recent | Source | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane County | 53063 | 2024 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
Carcass transport rules
If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.
CWD testing
Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.
EHD activity in Washington
Washington has historically experienced rare EHD activity. EHD is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides midges and is not transmissible to humans — meat from EHD-affected deer is safe to consume per state agency guidance. Outbreak years correlate with hot, dry conditions; localized die-offs can reduce hunting opportunity for a season but do not persist year to year the way CWD does.
Hunter FAQ — Washington
Is it safe to eat deer harvested in Washington?
Are there carcass transport restrictions in Washington?
How do I get a deer tested for CWD in Washington?
How often does Washington get hit by EHD?
Where does Washington's CWD/EHD data come from?
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — CWD →
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — EHD →
- USDA APHIS CWD Distribution Map →
- National Deer Association EHD Tracker →
Disease information is summarized for hunter awareness only. Always cross-reference with the state agency for legal, regulatory, and current-detection data.
Track herd health on your land.
Statewide disease maps tell you what to expect in general. Bield: Hunt logs every sick or recovered deer you find on your specific property — and surfaces patterns across seasons that would otherwise live in your camera roll and your memory.