In several States where CWD is present the relevant agencies have put in place, or are considering, a ban on baiting and feeding of deer and elk, or are actively discouraging the practice. (W400.13Apr03.CWD3, W411.26Mar03.CWD3, D114.III.w3)

The temporary Ban on Baiting and Feeding in Wisconsin (W400.13Apr03.CWD3) defined deer baiting as "the practice of putting out food that will attract deer for the purpose of shooting the deer during legal hunting seasons" (and included mineral blocks and supplements in the definition of bait) and deer feeding as " placing quantities of food out to attract deer for purposes other than hunting, such as wildlife viewing."

Deer feeding may be described as recreational (mainly for the purpose of viewing deer), supplemental (aiming to encourage deer to remain in a specific area of land or to increase local antler development and deer carrying capacity), or emergency (provision of food during exceptionally severe winters with the aim of reducing losses in the population). (D109.w7)

Banning such activities means that:

• Deer and elk hunters (including archery hunters and gun hunters) are prohibited from putting bait down for deer;

• Recreational, supplementary and emergency feeding of cervids near homes and businesses, or elsewhere is prohibited whether:

  • To increase deer/elk viewing opportunities;

  • To "assist" deer in winter when food may be scarce.

• Exemptions may be made to allow activities such as the feeding of small mammals (squirrels and rabbits) and birds.
• Exemptions may be allowed in strictly controlled circumstances to assist in other control measures such as culling by sharpshooters.

(D109.w7, D109.w17, W400.13Apr03.CWD3, W411.26Mar03.CWD3)

In some states feeding may not be banned but may be discouraged. (D114.III.w3, W400.Jan04.CWD2)

• This may be used as an adjunct to other control measures against CWD.
• Baiting and feeding has been shown to artificially concentrate deer and their activities. Restricting or banning baiting and feeding may avoid unnatural concentrating cervids in particular locations. This is expected to decrease transmission of CWD. (D108.4.w8, D109.w7, J40.66.w1, J230.9.w1, N8.18.w8)

• Transmission of CWD is thought to be by direct animal-to-animal contact or by indirect contact via a contaminated environment. Saliva, urine and faeces are possible sources of environmental contamination. (D113)
• Deer using frozen feed piles defrost the food by nuzzling the food to warm and loosen it and in the process they leave saliva and nasal secretions on the food. (D113)
• There is good evidence that CWD transmission occurs more efficiently when cervids are highly concentrated. Feeding of deer may result in localised increases in environmental contamination with the CWD disease agent. (D113, D114.III.w3)
• A feeding ban or discouragement of feeding is more likely to be complied with if members of the public are properly educated about the reasons for the ban in relation to CWD control and the general disease risks and other adverse effects that may be associated with feeding deer. (D109.w7, B127.15.w15)

• Baiting of deer may be permitted under license in strictly controlled situations where this is deemed necessary for the success of culling operations, for example by landowners and by sharpshooters employed by the responsible wildlife agency. (D109.w5)

The following is provided as an example of the exemptions described for one state:

• The temporary Ban on Baiting and Feeding in Wisconsin (W400.13Apr03.CWD3) noted the following activities were not covered by the ban:

• There are no specific costs associated with banning feeding and baiting. However there will be a loss of trade and therefore an economic cost to businesses that normally supply feed or bait. (D109.w7)
• A ban on baiting may reduce the success and efficiency of hunters, particularly bow hunters. (W400.13Apr03.CWD4, (D109.w17)

• Feeding and baiting deer encourages unnatural concentration of animals at feeding sites. This is likely to increase transmission not only of CWD but also of other infectious diseases such as anaplasmosis, anthrax, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, leptospirosis, listeriosis, meningeal worm, tularaemia and vesicular stomatitis. Stopping this activity is highly likely to reduce transmission of such contagious diseases. (D109.w7, W400.Jan04.CWD2)
• At this time [January 2004] deer feeding and baiting is restricted in Wisconsin (banned in 23 southern counties) and banned in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota. (W400.Jan04.CWD2, W411.26Mar03.CWD3, V.w50)
  • N.B. This list may not be complete or accurate at the time when this page is consulted. Readers are strongly advised to check the rules pertaining to their state at the present time with the relevant agency.