B.C. expands deer hunt to combat chronic wasting disease outbreak

British Columbia is taking action against chronic wasting disease in deer by expanding hunting in the southeast. The new measures come after six cases were detected, with the Cranbrook area identified as a key cluster. Officials hope the hunt will help reduce infection rates and manage deer numbers in the region.

The disease was first found in B.C. last year, leading to a targeted cull of urban deer herds. Now, a month-long hunt will run from January 5 to January 31, 2026. All licensed hunters in the province can take part, with the hunt covering both mule and white-tailed deer—regardless of whether they have antlers.

Hunters in the Cranbrook area will be allowed to harvest one extra deer beyond the usual limit of two. The goal is to lower population density and slow the spread of the disease. Currently, fewer than one per cent of deer in the area are believed to be infected. The province has not released specific figures on how many additional hunting permits have been issued for disease control in recent years. However, the expanded hunt reflects growing concerns over the disease's impact on local wildlife.

The January hunt aims to curb chronic wasting disease before it spreads further. With six confirmed cases and Cranbrook marked as a hotspot, officials are pushing for greater control over deer populations. The extra hunting allowance gives licensed hunters more flexibility to support these efforts.