Lassen County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

In rural, high-desert Lassen County, deer, bear and other wildlife are common, and feeding them is restricted primarily by California state regulation rather than a county ordinance. Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, section 251.3, provides that no person shall knowingly feed big-game mammals. 'Big game' is defined (Title 14 CCR section 350) to include deer (genus Odocoileus), elk (genus Cervus), pronghorn antelope, wild pig, black bear (genus Ursus) and Nelson bighorn sheep. The same body of regulation also prohibits harassing, herding or driving game and nongame birds and mammals. These rules are enforced by California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens. Intentionally feeding deer or bears tends to habituate them to people, draws predators, spreads disease and increases vehicle collisions and property damage, which is why the state prohibition exists. Lassen County's Title 8 animal code does not separately authorize feeding wildlife, and a property used to attract or harbor nuisance wildlife could draw nuisance-abatement attention. Residents in bear country should secure garbage and avoid leaving pet food outdoors. Anyone with a specific feeding or depredation question should contact CDFW's regional office.