Yakima, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife adopted a new wildlife-feeding rule effective May 17, 2025 making it illegal to place, distribute, deposit, or scatter feed - including grain, hay, fruits, salt blocks, and bird seed - for deer, elk, and moose anywhere in Washington. The rule applies regardless of intent: bird feeders or other items that attract deer, elk, or moose must be removed. The change responds to the 2024 detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Washington cervids. Feeding bears and other carnivores was already illegal in Washington and Yakima sits in known bear range. WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area elk feeding station northwest of Yakima - which has run for decades to reduce elk pressure on Yakima Valley agriculture - is an agency-managed exception; private feeding remains prohibited. Within the City of Yakima, the state rules are enforced by WDFW officers and may also be addressed locally as a nuisance under YMC Chapter 6.20 if feeding draws wildlife in a way that creates a public-safety or sanitation problem. Residents in bear country should remove bird feeders during non-winter months, secure trash, pet food, and ripe fruit from trees. Yakima's solid-waste/sanitation rules (YMC Title 4 / Title 11) apply to attractant containment. Report sick or aggressive wildlife to WDFW Region 3 (South Central Washington / Yakima) at (509) 575-2740.