DNR Asks People Not to Bait or Feed Deer

Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 -- 1:00 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is again asking people not to bait or feed deer this fall.

DNR Deer Herd Health Specialist Erin Larson says doing so can help prevent spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, as deer will congregate. “You have more potential for infectious disease diseases to spread like chronic wasting disease.”

Baiting and feeding is currently prohibited in the majority of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. “There is baiting and feeding regulations currently in 55 of our counties. So, you know, the warden could issue a citation if an individual was baiting and feeding in those counties.”

Larson says doing so can help prevent spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. “You have multiple deer potentially coming in at the same time, where they could spread it from deer to deer contact, or you could certainly have an infected deer come to a baiting and feeding site. Which we do know that positive deer can leave their prions behind in the soil.”

For the rest of the state, the DNR recommendation is to forgo the practice altogether. 

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.