Wildlife Feeding: Kentwood vs Wyoming
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Kentwood, MI and Wyoming, MI?
Kentwood and Wyoming have similar restriction levels.
Kentwood, MI
Kent County
Michigan DNR prohibits baiting and feeding of free-ranging deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula due to chronic wasting disease. State wildlife law preempts local rules permitting such feeding.
View full Kentwood rules →Wyoming, MI
Kent County
Wyoming's local wildlife-feeding enforcement runs through Chapter 6 nuisance provisions and the City's property-maintenance rules against accumulations attracting vermin. Statewide rules add a major restriction: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources bans baiting and feeding of free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk across the entire Lower Peninsula and other designated areas to limit Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis. Kent County, which contains Wyoming, sits within the Lower Peninsula CWD/TB feeding ban.
View full Wyoming rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kentwood | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | MCL 324.40111a | - |
| LP Deer Baiting | Banned | - |
| Reason | CWD and bovine TB | - |
| Agency | Michigan DNR | - |
| Local Hook | - | Wyoming Code Ch. 6 nuisance + vermin |
| Deer/Elk Feeding | - | Banned in Lower Peninsula (DNR Order, Jan 2019) |
| Authorizing Statute | - | MCL 324.40113a + Wildlife Conservation Order |
| CWD/TB Driver | - | Chronic Wasting Disease + bovine TB |
| Bird Feeders | - | Allowed if maintained to avoid vermin/deer |
| Report Tipline | - | DNR RAP 800-292-7800 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kentwood FAQ
Can I feed deer in my yard in Michigan?
No, not in the Lower Peninsula or CWD surveillance zones. DNR rules prohibit baiting and feeding of free-ranging deer and elk in those areas.
Are bird feeders legal in Michigan?
Yes, bird feeders remain legal. Just position and design them so deer cannot access spilled seed, which would violate the deer feeding ban.
Wyoming FAQ
Can I feed deer in my Wyoming, MI yard?
No. Since January 31, 2019, the Michigan DNR has prohibited the baiting and feeding of free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk across the entire Lower Peninsula — including Kent County and the City of Wyoming — under the Wildlife Conservation Order issued under MCL 324.40113a, due to Chronic Wasting Disease and bovine tuberculosis. Violations are a state misdemeanor enforced by DNR Conservation Officers.
Can I have a bird feeder in Wyoming?
Yes, with limits. Bird feeders are not prohibited as long as they do not attract deer or elk (the DNR ban applies to any material placed in any manner that attracts or could attract deer or elk, including ground accumulations of corn or seed) and as long as feeders are maintained to prevent spilled seed from attracting rats, which would trigger a Chapter 6 vermin-nuisance citation under the Wyoming Code.
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