Deer feeding must be stopped for 30 days if site is visited by bear or elk
New rule effective Oct 1, 2007
MADISON – Wildlife watchers and hunters who feed or bait deer should be aware that new rules took affect Oct. 1 to help protect wildlife, including deer, bear and elk, from infectious disease and reduce risk of automobile-wildlife collisions.
The new regulation requires people feeding deer for non-hunting purposes to stop feeding for a period of at least 30 days if the feed site begins to be used by elk or black bears. It is illegal to feed wild bear and elk in Wisconsin. Bears may be baited in accordance with certain restrictions for hunting purposes only, and if the person placing the bait holds a valid Class B Bear license. There is no hunting season for elk in Wisconsin.
“The new rule requiring removal of feed from a deer feeding site applies to residences and businesses,” said Tom Van Haren, Department of Natural Resources conservation warden. “If the owner is notified by the department or otherwise becomes aware that bear or elk have been using a feeding site, they must stop the practice for not less than 30 days.”
Baiting and feeding of deer is currently banned in 26 Wisconsin counties and the amount of bait or feed that may be placed and where bait or feed can be located is regulated in all other counties in Wisconsin.
“This rule was enacted to protect homeowners, motorists and Wisconsin’s small but growing elk herd,” explains Van Haren, “Elk approaching feeding sites are crossing roads and being hit by automobiles which most of the time is fatal to the elk and causes extensive damage to the vehicle. While they are fun to see, having black bears present in neighborhoods or around groups of houses presents property damage and public safety concerns. It is never a good idea to habituate wildlife to finding food in areas frequented by humans.”
For questions or more information regarding this new rule, contact your area wildlife manager, conservation warden or DNR Service Center.
In addition to public safety concerns, recent research into the way in which CWD is transmitted has shown that prions are found in saliva, supporting DNR wildlife officials’ recommendations that minimizing deer-to-deer contact is an important disease management tool. Other wildlife diseases can be transmitted by close animal to animal contact. For background on wildlife health and disease in Wisconsin go dnr.wi.gov and click on natural resources, then wildlife, then wildlife health.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom VanHaren - (608) 266-3244; Scott Loomans - (608) 267-2452
