Don’t feed deer in the Northwoods or it could cost you $343.50 or up to $1000 in fines. Yep, most locals know about this, but if you occasionally visit or vacation in Wisconsin you might not know there is and has been a ban on feeding and baiting deer for hunting. This ban is due to CWD (CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE) and now, the DNR instituted this ban in all but 9 counties in Wisconsin.

Studies have shown that CWD can be transmitted by contamination in soil from deer urine, feces and saliva and/or water. Other studies believe having large amounts of deer in one area where an infected deer was killed, the better chance other deer can contract CWD.

I can see their reasoning, but because of the decrease of food and water during the winter, deer naturally will congregate in large groups called yarding. This past winter I have seen at least 50 deer in one area more than once and this winter was mild compared to others. So, how to you stop deer from yarding up in the winter to prevent this? You can’t. Even though there have been WILD DEER that have tested positive for CWD in the Northwoods, those numbers have been relatively low. Most of these cases and the beginning of CWD in Wisconsin came from deer farms/hunting preserves. These farms/preserves raise and allow hunters to shoot trophy bucks in an enclosed area. Here are just a couple examples of the close contact these confined deer have and why CWD happens there. One farm has 425 deer on 570 fenced in acres and others have 310 deer in an enclosed 351 acres.

When a domestic (trophy hunting preserve) or wild deer test positive for CWD, a 3-year feeding/baiting ban goes into effect in that county or portions of the counties within 10-mile of the confirmed case. This ban CAN be removed if there hasn’t been a CWD positive deer for 24 months in that area but will start the 3-year banning again if one does. Here is one part I don’t understand. I cannot feed deer in my yard, but 1/4 mile away from my house is the state of Michigan and feeding is allowed. Let’s just hope our deer in the Northwoods stay healthy and this ban is lifted.