No county rule governs feeding wildlife, but state regulation bars feeding that draws problem animals, and MassWildlife prohibits feeding black bears. Some Hampshire County towns add local anti-feeding bylaws for deer and waterfowl.
There is no county wildlife-feeding ordinance. Feeding rules come from state regulation and individual town bylaws. MassWildlife prohibits intentionally feeding black bears, which are common across Hampshire County's hilltowns and increasingly range into the valley around Belchertown, Ware, and Amherst. The agency also discourages feeding deer and waterfowl because it concentrates disease and draws animals toward roads. Feeding that lures a rabies-vector animal like a raccoon, skunk, or coyote near homes creates liability. Songbird feeders are generally unrestricted, though the state advises taking them down in spring where bears are active.
Intentionally feeding black bears violates state wildlife regulation and draws enforcement from the environmental police. A town anti-feeding bylaw is enforced by the local health or animal-control officer.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Hampshire County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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