New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner adoption of a regulation regarding feeding deer and moose.

DEC first prohibited deer feeding in 2002 in response to the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) because concentrating deer or moose at feeding sites increases the risk of disease transmission.

Following a public comment period earlier this year, DEC adopted the new regulation to provide a clearer definition of what does and does not constitute illegal feeding of deer or moose. For example, the requirements provide exemptions for wildlife plantings, bona fide agricultural practices, livestock husbandry, and research and nuisance abatement actions permitted by DEC. It clarifies that incidental feeding such as the attraction of deer or moose to a birdfeeder will only be considered a violation if DEC has previously issued a written warning to the person responsible for the incidental feeding.

The new regulation also requires retail products packaged for sale as food or edible attractants for wild deer or moose to carry a label clearly stating that such use is illegal in New York State.

The regulation also establishes procedures for the legal use of 4-PosterTM Tickicide and devices used to dispense it. 4-PosterTM Tickicide is a pesticide registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DEC to kill ticks on deer.

The product is dispensed via four rollers, or “posts,” attached to bait stations filled with corn. As deer eat the corn, the rollers deposit pesticide on their heads and necks. Parts of New York have high tick-borne disease rates. The application procedures and permit issuance conditions specified in the new regulation are hoped to allow such use while limiting negative impacts of deer feeding.

The full text of the new regulation is on the DEC website.

Photo of Whitetail Deer provided by DEC.