Chronic Wasting Disease Surges in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, Hunters Unconcerned

Despite rising CWD rates that are decimating mule deer herds, local hunters and outfitters in northwest Wyoming show little concern for the deadly disease.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is spreading rapidly in northwest Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, with some mule deer herds seeing over 60% prevalence rates. While the deadly neurological disease is devastating local deer populations, many hunters and outfitters in the region remain unconcerned, continuing their fall hunting traditions without much regard for CWD's long-term impacts.

Why it matters

CWD has the potential to drastically reduce mule deer numbers in the Bighorn Basin, threatening the region's hunting heritage and outdoor recreation economy. However, many locals are not yet taking the threat seriously, potentially putting the future of mule deer herds and deer hunting at risk.

The details

Wildlife biologists have documented a surge in CWD rates across the Bighorn Basin, with the deadly disease infecting over 60% of bucks in some herds. This has led to plummeting deer populations, with the Basin, Greybull River, and Shoshone River herds now at just 13-23% of their population objectives. Despite this, many hunters and outfitters in the region remain unconcerned, with some even saying they would still eat deer that tested positive for CWD.

  • On October 15, 2025, the opening day of rifle deer season, over a quarter of the deer checked at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Ten Sleep checkpoint tested positive for CWD.
  • In the past decade, CWD prevalence rates in the Bighorn Basin's most impacted herds have more than doubled, and in some cases tripled.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.