11/16/2024
DNR Wardens Remind Deer Hunters of New Baiting and Feeding Bans in Effect for Pierce and St. Croix Counties.
DNR Wardens Joe McMahon and Kyle Kosin remind Pierce County residents and hunters that baiting and feeding of deer for wildlife viewing and hunting is prohibited in the county.
The wardens also remind hunters and residents of new baiting and feeding bans are in effect for St. Croix County, too.
The wardens say baiting and feeding encourages the unnatural congregation of deer, which allows for increased contact that would otherwise not occur in natural feeding environments. Bait piles are not the only way CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) spreads from deer to deer, but they increase the risk of transmission.
That’s why Wisconsin state law requires the DNR to implement a temporary baiting and feeding ban in any county where a wild or captive CWD-positive deer is identified – three years within a county with a confirmed case and two years in an adjacent county if the confirmed case was within 10 miles of the county border. This includes any material which attracts deer – such as corn, apples, pumpkins and mineral blocks.
The illegal bait and feed also can attract the deer to your yards which can cause damage to landscape and gardens.
State law prohibits the placement of any feed material to attract deer and other wild animals for purposes of wildlife viewing and hunting. However, feeders for birds and other small mammals are permitted if they are within 50 yards of a home and at a height inaccessible to deer.
In closing, wardens urge hunters to check the baiting and feeding status of the county they’re hunting in before beginning any hunt. We want all hunters to know that voluntary compliance amongst is the DNR’s goal. However, if appropriate, enforcement action with penalties will occur.
•The deposit or placement of material to feed or attract deer in a restricted county is a citable offense.
•There are required minimum penalties which increase with the amount of bait or feed found in a restricted county.
As part of your deer hunting plan, please check the deer baiting and feeding regulations for all counties you may hunt and read more about CWD on the DNR’s Baiting and Feeding Regulations webpage. Currently, there are active deer baiting and feeding restrictions in 61 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations may confidentially report by calling or texting the Violation Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.
