Wildlife Feeding: Apex vs Raleigh

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).