(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wildlife officials are asking Wisconsinites to avoid feeding deer in the winter.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says while the public may be concerned about the impact of winter conditions on deer, leaving corn and other feed out for them in your backyard causes more harm than good.
The DNR says deer have a slower metabolism in cold months and make adjustments in their gut microbiomes to adapt to winter food sources. Corn, alfalfa and other feed are not part of their natural winter diet and can cause severe digestive issues and even death. Even a single feeding can cause rumen acidosis, which can cause death in otherwise healthy deer.
In addition to becoming sick after eating inappropriate food, winter feeding can negatively impact deer in several other ways. Feeding can draw them out of their winter range where naturally available food and shelter are nearby, causing them to expend more energy than necessary. It also causes deer to congregate, which increases the risk of disease transmission, including chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Deer feeding is illegal in more than three-quarters of Wisconsin counties. Where it is legal, regulations restrict the location and amount of food that may be placed.
For a full list of wildlife feeding regulations and counties where feeding is allowed, click here.
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