Reminder to hunters, Chronic Wasting Disease Checks begin next month
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, September 11th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – A reminder to deer hunters, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will begin operating annual Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Check Stations next month, including in Baker and Union Counties.
For those unfamiliar, CWD is a fatal and highly infectious prion disease, impacting various species of the deer and elk family. Spread via soil contamination from infected animals, as well as nose to nose contact, the disease is uncurable and difficult to detect, though it is not capable of spreading to Humans. CWD has not been detected in Oregon, but is present in Washington, Idaho, and California.
To help track and prevent the spread of CWD, ODFW encourages hunters to get their animals tested, either at check stations, ODFW field offices, or at cooperating taxidermists and meat processors. For hunters out in the field, stopping at CWD check stations is mandatory when passing by with an animal harvest. State law further forbids the transport of animal parts containing central nervous system tissues into Oregon from other states or Canadian Provinces. Upcoming deer season CWD check stations in Eastern and Central Oregon include (as written by ODFW):
- Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction) (Google map coordinates)
- Oct. 5-7, 9 a.m. to dusk.
- Prineville, ODOT Weigh Station off Hwy 26 (Google map coordinates)
- Oct. 5-7, 9 a.m. to dusk
- Elgin Rodeo Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave (Google map coordinates)
- Oct. 4-6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Baker City, ODOT parking lot off Hwy 86 (Google map coordinates)
- Oct. 4-6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional check stations will also run November 1-3 for Rocky Mountain Elks Season. For additional testing options, visit: https://myodfw.com/articles/other-ways-get-your-animal-tested-cwd#CheckStations2025
