Questionable?: Can you feed deer near the highway?
Each week we answer questions our readers have asked. What do you really want to know? Drop us a line; maybe we can help.
“I live on county Cty. C between Rhinelander and Starks, and there are several residences that feed deer within 100 yards of the highway. According to the baiting and feeding laws, it is illegal to feed deer within 100 yards of a road with a posted speed limit of 45 MPH or more. What law enforcement agency is responsible for enforcing this law?”
– Troy, Cassian
The Star Journal asked Jim Jung, a warden with the Department of Natural Resources. Jung responded:
“Deer feeding is legal in Oneida County rural areas (Many cities do have restrictions within their city limits) but the following restrictions apply:
1. Recreational feeding must occur from an occupied residence or business open to the public, and you may not place out more than two gallons of feed.
2. Feed must be located within 50 yards of a residence or business.
3. Feed may not be located within 100 yards of a roadway posted with a speed limit of 45 MPH or more.
The use of automated feeders are illegal. It is illegal to place feed for bear and elk, and a feed source may become illegal if bear or elk begin to visit the site. The person must discontinue feeding for not less than 30-days if bear or elk are using the feed source. Violations of these feeding rules are a DNR Chapter 29 violations and are forfeiture type citations typically issued by DNR conservation wardens.
“The first step may be education, determine if the person or business owner is aware of these rules. A concerned citizen or neighbor may want take the first step and explain these rules to a person who may be in violation. Of course these rules would not apply to a food plot, apple trees, oak trees dropping acorns, etc.”
Editor’s note: Send in your questions to [email protected], or mail them to the Star Journal, 24 W. Rives St., P.O.?Box 558 Rhinelander, WI?54501.
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