txhunter58 couldn't have said it better and I think yours is the $1,000,000 question. Some people say yes and others no. Get rid of the brain and spinal cord areas of the elk and you should be fine as that is where the disease is. It has not been found in the meat itself.

Being from Wyoming we have problems up here with it as well and nobody really lets it stop them. I have heard but never seen it in person but they say you can almost tell an animal with it by the way they are acting. They will stumble around and act as if they were drunk. Don't know if it is true or not.

I wouldn't let it ruin your hunt.