WDFW urges caution this summer

DAVENPORT — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is urging residents to take precautions against ticks, rattlesnakes, and bears in Eastern Washington as outdoor activities increase. The agency is also emphasizing new regulations to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal illness affecting deer, elk, and moose.

Ticks pose a growing concern. Although WDFW does not typically manage insects, ticks—classified as arachnids—are a rising concern, with reports indicating high numbers this year. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tu...