New Hampshire Statewide Rule
New Hampshire Bear and Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Key Facts
- Bear feeding
- Prohibited after Fish and Game notice
- Deer feeding
- Restricted (RSA 208:8-b)
- Bear rule
- Fis 310
- Enforcement
- Fish and Game officers
- First offense
- Often a warning
Summary
New Hampshire restricts feeding wildlife: Fish and Game rules prohibit attracting black bears once the department notifies you to stop, and RSA 208:8-b restricts feeding wild deer. The rules apply statewide and are enforced by conservation officers.
I. (a) No person shall knowingly place food for consumption by wild deer if the fish and game department has determined such feeding would be detrimental to the health of the deer population or a threat to public safety. (b) The executive director shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A that include but shall not be limited to the definition of food, the time of feeding, and the locations for feeding that would be detrimental for consumption by wild deer and the criteria by which the department will determine if feeding would be detrimental to the health of the deer population or a threat to public safety.
Full Breakdown
New Hampshire does not authorize feeding bears or deer. Under Fish and Game rule Fis 310, once the department notifies a property owner that bird feeders, garbage, pet food, or other attractants are drawing black bears, the owner must remove them. RSA 208:8-b prohibits knowingly placing food for wild deer where the department has determined it would harm the herd or threaten public safety, with a warning for a first offense and a violation for later offenses. Standard agricultural practices and permitted baiting under RSA 207:3-d are exempt. Conservation officers enforce these rules statewide, and the state framework supersedes conflicting local ordinances.
Violations & Penalties
Continuing to attract bears after written notice, or unlawfully feeding deer after a warning, is a violation carrying fines and potential daily penalties, enforced by Fish and Game conservation officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed birds if bears visit my feeders?
Is it legal to feed deer in New Hampshire?
Sources
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