Florida Wildlife Feeding Law: Statewide Animal Ordinances Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: F.S. 379.412
Rule: 68A-4.001 F.A.C.
Bear feeding: Prohibited statewide
First offense: Up to $500 fine

Full Breakdown

Under Section 379.412 and Rule 68A-4.001, F.A.C., it is illegal to intentionally place food or attractants for designated wildlife. Feeding bears violates 68A-4.001(3) and includes leaving unsecured trash, pet food, or birdseed accessible after a written warning. Feeding alligators or crocodiles is a Level Two violation under 379.412. The 2024 Florida Black Bear conservation plan strengthened bear-attractant rules in seven designated bear-conflict counties. Local governments may add complementary trash-securing ordinances but cannot authorize feeding.

Violations & Penalties

Feeding bears or alligators is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500 and 60 days in jail. Repeat alligator-feeding offenses can become first-degree misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed ducks at a Florida pond?

Feeding ducks is not prohibited statewide, but feeding sandhill cranes, pelicans, and alligators that may share the pond is illegal under FWC rules.

What if a bear visits my Florida yard?

Secure trash, pet food, and grills. After a written FWC warning, leaving attractants accessible can be charged as illegal bear feeding under Rule 68A-4.001.

Florida Bans Feeding Bears, Alligators, and Sandhill Cranes

Key Facts

Full Breakdown

Violations & Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

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