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

No general wildlife-feeding prohibition specific to bears, deer, or other wildlife was found in Tuolumne County's Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 6.04). The chapter focuses on domestic animals, exotic/wild pets, and animal control rather than a stand-alone feeding ban. The controlling rule for wildlife feeding therefore comes from California state law: under the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 251.3, 'No person shall knowingly feed big game mammals, as defined in Section 350 of these regulations.' Big game mammals include deer, bear, and similar species, so intentionally feeding them anywhere in Tuolumne County—whether directly or by leaving out food or unsecured garbage that draws them—is prohibited statewide. This is especially relevant in Tuolumne County's foothill and Sierra communities where black bears and deer are common and where attracting bears with food or trash creates public-safety and depredation problems. The county code's general 'animal nuisance' and care provisions can also apply when a person's conduct creates unsanitary or hazardous conditions involving animals. Residents who want a true wildlife-feeding ordinance, or who have a bear or wildlife conflict, should contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tuolumne County for guidance; feeding wildlife is discouraged both for the animals' welfare and for neighborhood safety.