The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on hunters, landowners and anyone who enjoys the outdoors to obey all baiting and feeding bans currently in place across the state. These bans are a key tool for keeping the deer herd healthy and preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease that threatens wildlife and, indirectly, the hunting tradition that many families cherish.

What counts as baiting and feeding?

Baiting means deliberately placing any material—food, scented attractants, salts, minerals or grains—to draw wild animals for hunting purposes. Feeding refers to the intentional placement of material used to attract or sustain wild animals for non‑hunting reasons, such as recreational or supplemental feeding, except where the law specifically allows feeding of birds and small mammals.

Why the bans matter

When deer congregate around a feed pile or bait site, an infected animal can quickly transmit CWD to healthy companions through saliva, urine, feces or blood. The disease’s prions are extraordinarily resilient, persisting in soil for years and creating a lingering infection hotspot. By limiting artificial congregation points, the DNR aims to reduce direct and indirect contact that fuels the disease’s spread.

How the bans are applied

State law requires the DNR to impose a baiting and feeding ban in any county where a wild or captive deer tests positive for CWD. If a positive case is found within ten miles of a county line, the neighboring county receives a two‑year ban. When a county already under a ban discovers additional cases, the ban is reset for another two to three years, meaning the expiration date can shift as new detections occur.

Exceptions for bird and small‑mammal feeding

Even in counties with active bans, residents may continue to feed birds and small mammals, provided the feeding devices are placed at least 50 yards from a human dwelling and are designed or positioned to keep deer from accessing them. This allowance helps protect other wildlife while still safeguarding the deer population.

What hunters and landowners can do

• Check the DNR’s online map of counties with active bans before heading out.
• Avoid placing any attractants—food, salt, mineral blocks or scented lures—in prohibited areas.
• Report any suspected CWD cases to the DNR promptly.
• Support the DNR’s education efforts by sharing accurate information with fellow hunters and neighbors.

By following these guidelines, hunters help preserve the health of Wisconsin’s iconic deer herd, protect the hunting heritage that many families rely on for recreation and tradition, and support the DNR’s mission to manage wildlife responsibly.

Where to find more information

The DNR’s Baiting and Feeding Regulations webpage offers detailed guidance, a downloadable map of affected counties, and contact information for local wildlife officers. For any questions about specific county restrictions, residents are encouraged to reach out to their county DNR office.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.