Whatcom County has no blanket wildlife-feeding ban, but state rules bar intentionally feeding large carnivores, and feeding deer, coyotes, or bears that become a nuisance can bring enforcement. Securing trash and pet food is the practical rule near forest and foothill neighborhoods.
There is no single countywide wildlife-feeding ordinance in Whatcom County, but several rules bite. Washington prohibits negligently feeding large wild carnivores such as bears and cougars, which do range into the county's Cascade foothills and Mount Baker country. Intentionally feeding deer draws them toward roads and yards, and habituated animals become a public-safety problem. Unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, and pet food left outdoors count as unintentional feeding and attract raccoons, coyotes, and bears. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife handles human-wildlife conflict. Ordinary backyard songbird feeders are generally fine away from active bear areas.
Negligently feeding large carnivores violates state wildlife rules and draws Fish and Wildlife enforcement. Attractants creating a nuisance can bring county code-compliance action and orders to secure them.
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