Ginger, a Division of Wildlife Resources presenter, told the Southern Region RAC that the division plans to start a mandatory CWD testing pilot in the Ogden deer unit to improve surveillance and prevalence estimates. “CWD has been in Utah for a pretty long time, but we’ve always struggled with getting the right sample sizes that we need,” she said, outlining the goal of a 300-point weighted sampling target per unit and why voluntary collection has fallen short.

The division said the 300 target is a weighted score — not simply 300 tests — that assigns higher points to suspect animals, certain sex/age classes and roadkill. Ginger said roadkill and suspect animals “play a big role” in early detection but don’t alone indicate prevalence across a whole management unit. The pilot will require mandatory testing only for the Ogden general-season deer hunt initially; other units and hunts would remain voluntary while the division teaches procedures and refines logistics.

Division staff described logistics and costs: testing runs about $35 per sample with laboratory turnaround typically from two to six weeks, and harvest samples should be delivered within about 24–48 hours if kept cool. The division is also experimenting with live-animal sampling methods and new molecular tests, but Ginger said there is not yet a validated live-animal diagnostic. On prion persistence in the environment, staff said prions can remain for roughly five years or more depending on soil and weather.

RAC members and members of the public asked about enforcement, coordination with law enforcement and transportation partners for roadkill collection, and whether elk are also a concern. Ginger said elk infections are possible and that the division will initially focus mandatory testing on deer in the Ogden unit while voluntary testing for elk and other units continues. She described mitigation priorities as education, improved carcass-disposal options and localized population management where prevalence is high.

The division said it has applied for grants to fund outreach and a marketing campaign to increase hunter participation and sample submission. Ginger urged hunters in targeted units to check the division website for drop-off locations and to submit samples when asked. The RAC did not take formal action on CWD during this meeting; the item was presented for information and discussion.