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Dane County, WI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Ch. 47.42, Dane County Code
Rule
No intentional feeding of wild deer
Forfeiture
$100–$300 per offense (47.51(12))
Exemptions
Standing/stored crops; licensed deer farms
Continuing violation
Each day counts separately (47.52)

Summary

Dane County makes it unlawful to intentionally feed wild deer anywhere in the county under section 47.42, with a carve-out for standing or stored crops and for captive deer kept on licensed deer farms.

City-specific rules exist: Madison, and Middleton have their own wildlife feeding rules that differ from Dane County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

47.42 FEEDING OF DEER PROHIBITED. (1) No person shall intentionally feed wild deer in Dane County. (2) This section shall not apply to standing or stored crops not intentionally made available to wild deer. This section shall also not apply to captive deer located on deer farms.

Source: Wis. Stat. §29.335View official code

Full Breakdown

42 of the county's animal control chapter, "Feeding of Deer Prohibited," bars any person from intentionally feeding wild deer within Dane County. 43 requires deer-farm owners to report deer or elk deaths to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection within 24 hours). The provision was first created in 2002 (OA 3, 2002-03) and has been amended twice since, most recently in 2019 (2019 OA-2). It sits in Chapter 47, the animal control ordinance enforced by the Department of Public Health for Madison and Dane County and by Dane County Sheriff's humane officers and deputies.

The concern behind the ban is the standard one for deer-feeding bans statewide: concentrating deer at feed sites increases nose-to-nose contact and raises the risk of spreading chronic wasting disease, a concern acute in a county that borders CWD-positive management zones.

Violations & Fines

Section 47.51(12) sets the forfeiture for violating 47.42(1) at not less than $100.00 nor more than $300.00 per offense: markedly higher than most other animal control forfeitures in the chapter. Section 47.52 makes each day of intentional feeding a separate violation, so a feeder left out and refilled daily can generate a new $100–$300 forfeiture each day it is maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to put out corn for deer in Dane County?
Yes. Section 47.42(1) prohibits intentionally feeding wild deer anywhere in the county, and a deliberate corn pile or feed block is exactly the conduct the section targets. It does not matter whether the feeding is for hunting, wildlife viewing, or general enjoyment.
Does having a cornfield on my property violate the ban?
No. Section 47.42(2) exempts standing or stored crops that were not intentionally made available to wild deer, so ordinary farming operations are not swept into the prohibition even though deer may feed from the crops.
What's the fine for feeding deer?
Section 47.51(12) sets a forfeiture of $100 to $300 per offense, and because section 47.52 treats each day of feeding as a separate violation, a feeder that's refilled repeatedly can rack up multiple forfeitures.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Dane County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsCat RulesLight RestrictionsMicrochippingSignificant RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsBeekeepingFew RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSignificant Restrictions

All Dane County rules

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Wildlife Feeding in Cities Across Dane County

Madison, WIFitchburg, WIMiddleton, WISun Prairie, WI