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By Brenda Bassett

Story Published: Oct 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM MDT

LAUREL - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Officials were out Sunday testing for the opening day of deer and elk season. Officials were manning checkpoints all over the state on Sunday.

They are testing harvested game animals for Chronic Wasting Disease and Brucellosis. CWD is a rare brain disease that causes infected deer, elk and moose to lose weight and body functions. The animal will start to behave abnormally and eventually will die.

"We haven't found it yet in Montana. We've been sampling pretty heavy for the last few years looking for it," said Jay Watson, of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Although, there have been no reported cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in Montana bordering states including, Wyoming and South Dakota have confirmed reports. Officials are concerned it could jump the borders.

As an added precaution it is now illegal to bring heads and spinal cords from harvested game animals back with them from a state that is known to have the disease. Hunters will be immediately notified if any animals test positive for the disease here in Montana.

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