Willis, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Texas gives broad private property rights to feed wildlife, and under Right-to-Farm Act Ch. 251 Agriculture Code, wildlife management activities on qualifying land are protected. However, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulates baiting during hunting seasons under 31 TAC §65.29 — bait must be removed before hunting on adjacent properties to avoid 'baiting game' violations. The Woodlands Township passed Resolution discouraging deer feeding due to 7,000+ whitetail deer in the township and MVA collision rates; signage throughout. Conroe has no feeding ban but Code Ch. 14 prohibits conditions that attract vermin or pests, which has been applied to feral cat colonies and unsecured bird seed attracting rats. Alligator feeding is prohibited statewide under Parks & Wildlife Code §65.352 (class C misdemeanor) — highly relevant on Lake Conroe and West Fork San Jacinto. Coyote feeding is discouraged but not banned; leaving pet food outside is a common inadvertent violation under pest attractant rules.