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

No general anti-wildlife-feeding ordinance was found in Mariposa County's Title 6 Animal Control code, so wildlife feeding in the unincorporated county is governed mainly by California state law. California Fish & Game Code Section 4012 makes it unlawful to knowingly feed big game mammals, including deer, elk, antelope, wild pigs, bears, and other large wildlife, with limited exceptions for activities such as authorized hazing or depredation. The state prohibition is designed to reduce dangerous habituation of bears and other animals to human food, which is a significant concern in Mariposa County given its location in the Sierra foothills adjacent to Yosemite National Park. Within Yosemite and other National Park Service lands, federal regulations separately prohibit feeding park wildlife and require proper food storage. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages feeding deer and bears even where not explicitly criminal, because it can create public-safety hazards and lead to animals being euthanized. Because the county code does not add a local feeding prohibition, residents should follow the state big-game feeding ban, use bear-resistant trash and food storage, and avoid leaving pet food or attractants outdoors. If a problem animal becomes a nuisance or safety threat, residents typically contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife rather than county Animal Control, which focuses on domestic animals.