Wisconsin Feeding and Baiting Ban Remains in Effect for Barron, Burnett, Polk and Washburn Counties
OutdoorHub 02.12.13
A ban on feeding white-tailed deer in Barron, Burnett, Polk and Washburn counties – which was implemented May 10, 2012 due to the discovery of chronic wasting disease in a wild white-tailed deer on private land in Washburn County – remains in effect and will be enforced by Wisconsin conservation wardens.
Barron, Burnett and Polk counties are within a 10-mile radius of the location of the Washburn County property on which this CWD-positive deer was found. State law requires that counties, or portions of counties within a 10-mile radius of a game farm or free-ranging CWD-positive, are included in the baiting and feeding prohibition. With the addition of these four counties, baiting and feeding of deer is banned in 32 Wisconsin counties.
“We want to remind residents of the four counties that there is still a ban on feeding of deer in place,” said Regional Conservation Warden David Zebro. “Conservation wardens will continue to educate our public and use appropriate discretion if a feeding violation is discovered but enforcement action will be initiated to assure the health of our deer herd.”
“Feeding – like baiting — of deer unnecessarily increases the risk of spreading CWD and other diseases,” said Tom Hauge, director of the DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management. “Animal health is important to preserving our great hunting tradition and is a foundation of tourism and vital to local businesses.”
Feeding and baiting increase risks of spreading communicable diseases, like CWD, by concentrating deer in one spot. Deer using one spot are more at risk for spreading a disease.
Individuals can still feed birds and small mammals provided the feeding devices are at a sufficient height or design to prevent access by deer and the feeding device is within 50 yards of a human dwelling.
The fine for feeding contrary to the ban is $343.50.
Learn more about CWD at knowcwd.com (exit DNR) or go to the DNR website and search “CWD.”
