Deer Friendly - Deer Feeding Laws

Where Is It Legal to Feed Deer? Deer Feeding Laws

Feeding deer is generally regulated by state wildlife agencies, and many have implemented partial or total bans to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). In several states, supplemental feeding remains legal specifically in areas not designated as CWD management or surveillance zones. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Because CWD restricted areas may change as well as as state and local ordinances, double check feeding

States Allowing Feeding Outside CWD Areas [6]

In these states, feeding is permitted on private land, often with specific restrictions, provided the location is not within a known CWD-affected county or management zone: [7, 8]

Arkansas: Supplemental feeding and baiting are prohibited within the CWD Management Zone but are generally allowed on private land outside of it.

Kentucky: Baiting is allowed on private property outside of CWD Surveillance Zones. Within these zones, strict restrictions apply, such as the prohibition of contact-style feeders.

Louisiana: Feeding and baiting are prohibited in the CWD Enhanced Mitigation Zone but allowed in the CWD Buffer Zone if using non-stationary, broadcast methods.

Mississippi: Supplemental feeding is legal outside of the North MS, Issaquena, and Harrison Management Zones.

Tennessee: Feeding is legal outside of CWD counties. Starting August 1, 2026, hunters may also hunt over bait on private land with a special "Deer Bait Privilege License".

Wisconsin: Feeding and baiting are prohibited only in counties where CWD has been detected. In non-affected counties, residents may place up to two gallons of feed for wildlife viewing if it is within 50 yards of an occupied dwelling. [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21]

States with General Legal Status (Private Land)

Delaware: It is legal to use deer feed on private lands only, though baiting for hunting is prohibited.

Kansas: Feeding is allowed on private property but prohibited on public land.

North Dakota: Feeding is permitted on private property but not on public land.

Oklahoma: Supplemental feeding is generally allowed on private property.

Utah: While highly discouraged due to disease risks, feeding is not illegal statewide, though some individual cities have enacted their own bans.

Wyoming: There is no state law against feeding deer, but hunting over a baited site is illegal. [11, 20, 22, 23, 24]

States with Total or Near-Total Bans

Feeding deer is strictly prohibited for any reason (regardless of CWD status) in the following states: [22, 25]

California: Feeding big game mammals is illegal statewide.
Colorado: Deer baiting and feeding are fully banned.
Illinois: Feeding is generally illegal.
Michigan: Supplemental feeding is banned statewide. (Note: Recent 2026 legislation to lift the ban in the Lower Peninsula has passed the House but still requires Senate approval).
Vermont: Feeding deer is illegal for any reason. [11, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33]