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‘Don't feed wildlife.' Why WA made it illegal to feed specific animals

If you're an avid wildlife enthusiast who loves to leave treats for wild animals who visit your yard, the state of Washington has a request: Please stop. As of May 17, 2025, it is illegal in Washington state to feed specific wild animals — deer, elk and moose in particular. Prior to the new law, Bellingham was the only local government in the state that already had a similar ban in place. In 2017, Bellingham made it illegal to feed deer. Part of the problem is that new illnesses are popping up among the state's wild residents and officials want to curb them from spreading and worsening. 'People often think they are helping wildlife by feeding them, or simply hoping that providing food will give them a better opportunity to observe their wild neighbors,' states a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Medium post published over the weekend. 'Unfortunately, feeding wildlife can cause more harm than good, especially with new wildlife diseases being found in Washington.' Groups of animals gathering in concentrated areas has led to the appearance of chronic wasting disease, which is typically lethal to deer, elk and moose. The disease first appeared in the state in 2024, according to WDFW. Food like corn, grains and fruit can be difficult for these animals to digest. In response, WDFW now has a new rule that it is illegal to feed deer, moose and elk. It is now also illegal for hunters to bait them. That's because sick animals at a feeding site — like a salt lick or a bird feeder — can contaminate the food, spreading the illness to other animals. State residents are encouraged, however, to create and support native habitat. The WDFW Habitat at Home program provides guidelines and helpful hints for making sure the habitat is beneficial to wild animals. Sick, injured or diseased animals can be reported with WDFW's online reporting tool. If you want more information on how to view wildlife safely, without endangering them, you can find some guidelines here.