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

The strongest binding rule on feeding wild animals in unincorporated Tehama County comes from California state regulation rather than a county ordinance. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 251.3 ('Prohibition Against Feeding Big Game Mammals') states that no person shall knowingly feed big-game mammals, which under section 350 of the same title include deer, elk, wild pig, and bear. Given Tehama County's foothill and mountain terrain and its black-bear and deer populations, this statewide prohibition is the practical anchor for any 'don't feed the wildlife' question - intentionally feeding bears or deer is unlawful. Tehama County does not publish a distinct countywide wildlife-feeding ordinance; instead, nuisance and predator wildlife is handled at the state level by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which issues depredation permits and responds to serious incidents involving mountain lions, bears, and other wildlife. State policy also makes it generally illegal to live-trap and relocate wildlife. The most effective practical step for residents is to remove attractants: keep pet food indoors, secure garbage, and avoid leaving food out, both because feeding big game is illegal and because attractants draw bears and mountain lions into conflict with people, pets, and livestock - a real concern in a ranching county. Residents with a wildlife conflict should contact CDFW rather than attempting to trap or relocate animals themselves.