Residents reminded not to feed wildlife
by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
October 31, 2015
FWP has seen a sharp rise in the number of people illegally feeding wildlife, especially in the Libby area. Under Montana law (MCA 87-6-216) it is illegal to provide "supplemental feed" to ungulates (including deer, elk, and moose) and bears, and lions. "Supplemental feed" includes such items as salt/mineral blocks, corn, and grain. Under Libby City Ordinance (1829), it is also illegal to feed turkeys and pigeons inside Libby City limits.
Although people who are feeding wildlife often believe that they are doing wildlife a favor by feeding them, there are many reasons why they should stop – other than the fact that it’s illegal. Supplement feeding of wildlife:
• Spreads disease by creating unnatural congregations of deer and other wildlife. When deer and other wildlife are congregated in a small area and share the same feeding site it increases the ability of diseases and parasites to be spread to all the animals using the area. At times these diseases can greatly impact populations and become difficult to eliminate from wildlife populations.
• Increases the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions, as deer travel farther and cross more roads to reach unnatural sources of food.
• May also kill wildlife directly. Providing supplemental food sources to deer can cause disease directly through corn acidosis or even overeating disease (enterotoximia). Often a deer’s digestive tract cannot handle sudden changes in diet as a result of feeding and deer die with full rumens. In effect, this means that the folks who are feeding the wildlife may actually be killing the wildlife with kindness; also may attract predators to your yard, such as mountain lions and bears.
• May become aggressive and injure people or pets. Wildlife that is fed tends to lose fear of people and can become aggressive, not only to the people feeding them but to neighbors. Residents who intentionally feed deer or other wild ungulates are subject to citations, so FWP encourages residents to remind their neighbors of why it is important to avoid supplemental feeding. The penalty is up to $1,000 fine, six months in jail, and possible loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges. Please call FWP Libby area Warden Tamie Laverdure at (406-291-1954) or FWP Wildlife Biologist Tonya Chilton-Radandt (406-291-0568) with questions or concerns.
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