Oklahoma County, OK Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Oklahoma County's wildlife feeding rules address urban-wildlife conflicts. Oklahoma City §8-23 prohibits intentionally feeding deer, coyotes, wild hogs, skunks, and raccoons on private property when it creates a nuisance. Intentional feeding leads to habituation and dangerous encounters — fed coyotes lose fear of humans and can attack pets or children. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Rule 800:20-1-2 backs up local rules with statewide authority against feeding that creates public safety concerns. Oklahoma has substantial urban deer populations in OKC's Nichols Hills, Edmond, and around Lake Hefner — feeding accelerates deer-vehicle collisions and garden damage. Coyotes thrive throughout the OKC metro and occasionally attack small pets. Wild hogs (feral swine) are the most aggressively enforced — feeding is effectively prohibited statewide due to agricultural damage. Bird feeders are permitted and not classified as wildlife feeding. Unsecured trash cans, pet food left outside, and fallen fruit constitute unintentional feeding and can generate warnings. Feral cat colonies have separate rules under OKC's TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program — colony caretakers must register with OKC Animal Welfare. Hunting and baiting rules under 29 O.S. §5-204 restrict bait use during hunting seasons.