Wildlife Feeding: Apex vs Cary
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex has fewer restrictions than Cary.
Apex, NC
Wake County
The Town of Apex does not have a wildlife-feeding ordinance in Chapter 4 of the Town Code, and the Wake County Animal Control Ordinance does not generally prohibit residential bird feeders or backyard wildlife feeding. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) rules under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 113 govern statewide. Intentional feeding that habituates bears, coyotes, or deer to human food sources can be cited as a public-safety nuisance under general Town and County provisions; baiting deer to take them is regulated by NCWRC hunting rules. Bird feeders in residential yards are permitted.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Wake County does not have a county-wide ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife, but feeding that creates a nuisance violates §91.08. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rules (15A NCAC 10B .0106) prohibit feeding of bears, and the WRC discourages feeding deer and coyotes. Bird feeders and squirrels are not restricted.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Town Wildlife-Feeding Ordinance | None - NCWRC state rules apply | - |
| Deer Baiting/Feeding | Allowed on private land subject to NCWRC hunting rules | - |
| Wake County CWD Status | NOT in NCWRC CWD Surveillance Area as of late 2024 (verify current) | - |
| Bear Feeding | Prohibited (15A NCAC 10B) - bear sightings rising in W. Wake | - |
| Bird Feeders | Unregulated by Apex and NCWRC | - |
| Coyote/Fox Habituation | Nuisance citation possible under general Town provisions | - |
| NCWRC Wildlife Helpline | 866-318-2401 | - |
| Bird feeders | - | Allowed |
| Bear feeding | - | State prohibition |
| Feral cats | - | Feeder = owner |
| Nuisance rule | - | Wake Code §91.08 |
| Permit needed | - | No |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Can I feed deer in my Apex, NC yard?
There is no Apex town ordinance prohibiting residential deer feeding, and Wake County was not inside the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Area as of late 2024. NCWRC strongly discourages the practice because it habituates deer to human food sources, concentrates them in ways that spread CWD, and creates public-safety conflicts (vehicle strikes, lawn damage). Check the current NCWRC CWD map at ncwildlife.org/cwd before feeding, since the Surveillance Area can be expanded by NCWRC proclamation.
Is it legal to feed black bears, coyotes, or foxes in Apex?
Feeding bears is prohibited by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules (15A NCAC 10B), which makes it unlawful to place food, food products, or any attractant for the purpose of taking or attempting to take black bear, and the agency treats habitual residential bear feeding as a public-safety issue with civil penalties. Feeding coyotes and foxes is not directly prohibited by NCWRC rule but is strongly discouraged - intentional feeding that habituates predators or creates a sanitation nuisance can be cited by Wake County Animal Services or Apex Code Enforcement under the general nuisance provisions of the Apex Town Code.
Are bird feeders allowed in Apex?
Yes. The Apex Town Code does not regulate residential bird feeders, and NCWRC rules generally do not restrict feeders for migratory songbirds, hummingbirds, and resident species. Best practice is to keep feeders within the residential curtilage, clean spilled seed regularly to avoid rodent attraction, and bring feeders inside at night during periods of active bear sightings (more common in western Wake County than in Apex itself, but worth monitoring).
Cary FAQ
Can I put out corn for deer?
Yes for personal observation, but Wake County and the WRC discourage it. If it attracts a nuisance level of animals near neighbors, you can be cited under §91.08.
Is feeding stray cats legal?
Yes, but once you feed a cat regularly, the law treats you as the owner — you become responsible for rabies vaccination under §91.32 and for nuisance under §91.08.
Can I feed black bears?
No. Bear feeding is a Class 3 misdemeanor statewide under 15A NCAC 10B .0106, enforced by NC Wildlife officers.
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