Feeding wild animals is restricted statewide by Florida FWC rules. It is illegal to intentionally feed bears, alligators, crocodiles, and several other species; violations escalate from civil penalties to criminal misdemeanors under F.S. § 379.412.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission enforces several wildlife-feeding prohibitions that apply throughout Escambia County. Rule 68A-4.001 bars intentionally feeding black bears, foxes, raccoons, and other listed species, and separate rules prohibit feeding wild alligators and crocodiles. FWC states it 'has several rules that prohibit feeding wildlife, including bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, alligators and crocodiles.' Since 2015 (F.S. § 379.412), penalties are tiered: a first offense is a civil penalty, escalating to first-degree-misdemeanor criminal charges for repeat bear and crocodilian feeding. Leaving out garbage or food that attracts bears can also be cited.
Under F.S. § 379.412, wildlife-feeding starts at a $100 civil penalty and escalates; repeat bear/crocodilian offenses become first-degree misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year jail and $1,000 fines.
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