Wolf Tapeworms
and Game Animals

You may be hearing about a disease caused bywolf tapeworms that is becoming more common in “cervids”, the deer family, which includes elk, deer and moose. Recently the parasite has become quite common in some areas where it wasn’t previously, including areas of Montana and Idaho. It does appear that the introduction of wolves is responsible for yet another unintended consequence of introducing Canadian wolves to the States.

Recent Articles

  1. HECS Hunting Suit Blocks Your Energy Field

    HECS Baselayer
    Ever been busted by game animals when you thought you were concealed? Maybe they sensed your energy field! A HECS Stealthscreen hunting suit keeps them from confirming what they see.

    Read More

Wolf Tapeworms: A Repetitive Cycle

The life cycle of the wolf tapeworms needs two hosts. Mature tapeworms grow in the intestines of canines (dog type animals) that are the “definitive host” in the first stage. These tapeworms lay eggs in the canine’s intestines. Wolves, coyotes, or other canines drop the tapeworm eggs in the grass with their feces.

Ungulates, animals that graze, inadvertently consume the eggs along with grasses. The eggs hatch in the intestinal tract and are carried in the blood stream to the lungs, liver and brain where cysts form containing the immature tapeworms (larvae).

Not every animal that is infected with these cysts suffers any ill effects. 

Elk Liver Tapeworm Cysts, Jay Kolbe, Montana FWP Wildlife Biologist

The cysts caused by these tapeworms can be benign, if the resulting “hydatid cysts” found in the organs are not too pronounced.  A large number of large cysts in the animals can obviously weaken and even kill them.

If an infected animal dies for any reason and the cysts are consumed by canines, the life cycle of this type of tapeworm is complete and begins all over again.

Here is a photo is of an infected moose liver and lungs that a friend of mine killed in Idaho. Jay Kolbe, Montana wildlife biologist in region 2, provided the information for this article. He also shared a photo with me that he took in the Blackfoot area of an elk liver with hydatid cysts.


Moose Liver Tapeworm CystsMoose Liver Tapeworm Cysts

There are two types of tapeworms (Echinococcus) that cause hydatid cystic disease. Echinococcus multilocularis normally has the second stage occurring in rodents. The other, Echinococcus granulosis (wolf tapeworms) occurs typically in ungulates (grazing animals) and sometimes humans during the second stage. To unknowingly participate in this second stage, the intermediate host has to consume the eggs dropped by the feces of the infected canine.

Can People Become Infected?

People can become infected with the "wolf tapeworms" parasite only when the Echinococcus eggs get into their digestive tract. Cysts are then formed in the lungs, liver or brain, just like in deer, elk, moose, etc. To become infected, a person has to ingest the living eggs. Symptoms from these cysts may not become apparent for many years. Surgery is sometimes required to remove the cysts, but a certain type of drug treatment can be successful.

There are some scenarios in which a human can consume these parasitic eggs. If someone eats plants or drinks water that has become contaminated with the eggs, the eggs hatch into larvae in the digestive tract and migrate to the organs, causing the hydatic cysts.

Another way to get these eggs into the human digestive tract is by handling fur (or feces) of infected animals. A dog, for instance, licks its anus and gets eggs on its tongue. Then it licks its fur. Eggs are now on the fur. When a human pets the dog, or touches the fur of a wolf, coyote, fox, etc., the eggs are now on the person’s hands. Hand washing will prevent a hand to mouth transfer.

If infection occurs, the cysts that are formed in the organs often burst and the infection is resolved. Infection by these cysts is considered benign by many experts. Serious complications are rare from infection with the wolf/ungulate tapeworm cycle. (There is a second “biotype” that occurs in a domestic dog/sheep cycle in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah that can be more serious.)

Prevention is Easy

Prevention is fairly obvious. Don’t allow domestic dogs to eat carcasses of deer, elk, moose and sheep. If this does occur, de-worming medications work to stop the cycle in your pet. Wash your hands after touching your dog, if it has had access to ungulate carcasses. When handling the fur of wolves, coyotes and foxes, use gloves and wash any part of your arms and hands that may have touched the fur. 

How about handling or eating elk, deer, or moose that has been infected with Echinococcus? Can we get the disease from that? Thankfully, no! The eggs are NOT found in venison meat. As gross as it sounds, humans cannot get the disease even by consuming the cysts found in the organs of an infected deer, elk or moose.

In order to become infected, a human must consume the eggs originating in the digestive tract of canines. The larvae found in the cysts in organs of infected deer, elk and moose are in an immature stage that cannot infect humans.

Wild Game is Safe to Eat!

Don’t let the wolf tapeworms topic keep you from enjoying nutritious and delicious wild game meat. While you’re at it, buy a wolf permit! As a registered dietitian and food safety expert, it just reminds me to handle wild game meat carefully. Horses and cattle can be “hosts”, too. But, only a few cases have been reported in horses in the States.

Hunters are given replacement tags when they turn in game that has cysts in their organs. However, it’s not necessary to waste the meat. This disgusting topic advances the idea of using the gutless method of field dressing wild game, when feasible. Then, you won’t even have to know about it! See Gutless Field Dressing.

New! Comments

Leave a comment in the box below.

Shop Our Store

Elk Tips Outdoor Gear Logo

406-431-0876

Newsletter Opt-in:
"I just get so excited talking about elk.." ~Tristan, CO



Search This Site Here:

Hunting Gear Reviews

ASAT Camo
ElkNut Outdoor Prod.
Bugling Bull Game Calls
HECS Stealthscreen
Montana Decoy
StringSling Bow Sling
Skull Hookers
Safari Sling Rifle Sling
Clip-Shot Mini Camera Mount

ASAT Camo

Free U.S. Shipping


Bugling Bull
Game Calls


ElkNut Productions

Free Shipping on
ElkNut Products Here


HECS Stealthscreen:
A New Type of Concealment!

HECS Stealthscreen

$199.99,
Including U.S. Shipping


Montana Decoy Elk/Deer
Available Here!

Montana Decoy

$59-$109.99 Free Shipping!


The StringSling:
Best Bow Sling Design!

String Sling Bow Sling

$29.95, Including U.S. Shipping


Clip-Shot: 1 oz. Camera Mount

$21.85 Free U.S. Shipping


Skull Hookers

Skull hooker

$34.99 & 59.99 Free U.S. Shipping!


The Safari Sling:
Best Rifle Sling Design!

Safari Sling Best Rifle Sling Available

$27.99 Free US Shipping


Share your elk hunting pictures and stories on our Facebook Page!

Go to Forums


Forum Topic Discussions:


How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?

295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.

325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...

30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?

(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)

Submissions

Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...

Smelly Elk Areas? by Jimmy (New Mexico), I've come across many areas that just stink of elk, literally. I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories...

DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."

Elk and Deer Hunting and Mountain Bikes, by Skip Shepherd (Tucson, AZ)~ At 67 I am thinking a lot about investing in a mountain bike to get back into remote areas...


Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.

Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...

Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...

Recent Submissions:

Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."


Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....

First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!

First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.


Questions

Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."


Share Elk Hunting Secrets


Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…


Best Big Game Rifle?

Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."

7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."


338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."


Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "


.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."


Arizona Elk Hunting

Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...

First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...


Elk Hunting Colorado

Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"

Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."

Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"


Idaho Elk Hunting


Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?


Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.


New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)

I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...


Elk Hunting Nevada

Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:

"Any good places known in unit 222?"

Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)

"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"


Questions from Novice Hunters

Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)


Big Game Recipes

Popcorn VenisonPopcorn Venison with Maple Syrup?

Elk or Venison Steaks Grilled to Perfection Here's how to turn them into steakhouse steaks!

Spice-Crusted Grilled Venison Roast Recipe This Spice-Crusted, Grilled Venison Roast recipe works great for any red meat roasts, including elk, deer or beef roast...

Corned Elk Recipe You can easily make corned venison and elk, moose or corned beef from these instructions...