Wyo. elk study reignites chronic wasting controversy Chronic wasting disease may not devastate elk populations even if it spreads to winter feedgrounds in Wyoming, according to preliminary research released by the state Game and Fish Department. Researchers with the agency are undertaking a long-term study of chronic wasting disease in an elk population. Department officials warn the data is too preliminary for any definitive conclusions. But conservationists say the preliminary conclusion released by the agency indicates more of a potential rationalization for maintaining state elk feedgrounds rather than sound science. The feedgrounds are a hot topic for debate in Wyoming because ranchers and outfitters generally support the feedgrounds because they keep elk away from cattle and help them survive the winter. But conservationists say the feedgrounds should be phased out because they increase the risk of spreading disease. The general belief among most conservationists and some wildlife biologists is that if chronic wasting disease were to spread to feedgrounds, it would devastate elk populations because they are artificially concentrated on feed lines in the winter....