Hennepin County prohibits feeding deer and bears under Minnesota DNR rules and city ordinances. Several cities, including Minnetonka and Bloomington, restrict feeding of waterfowl and wildlife near lakes to reduce nuisance and disease risks.
Minnesota Statutes 97A.045 and DNR rules prohibit feeding deer in chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis management zones, and Hennepin County sits within the metro CWD surveillance area. Several cities have adopted broader bans: Minnetonka and Bloomington restrict feeding of deer, geese, and ducks on private property, and the Three Rivers Park District prohibits wildlife feeding in regional parks. Hennepin County Public Health discourages feeding because it concentrates animals, raises rabies and avian flu risks, and increases conflicts near Lake Minnetonka and Mississippi River shoreline neighborhoods.
Feeding deer in restricted zones is a misdemeanor under MN Stat. 97A. City wildlife-feeding violations typically draw fines starting around 100 dollars per occurrence and can escalate with repeat offenses.
Hennepin County, MN
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See how Hennepin County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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