Can I bait deer on my private land in North Dakota?

Only outside designated CWD management units. The Game and Fish Department publishes annual proclamations listing units where private-land baiting is prohibited.

Is feeding songbirds and squirrels legal?

Yes. Bird feeders and squirrel feeders are not regulated statewide, though feeding that attracts deer in CWD zones may violate baiting rules.

North Dakota Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: NDCC Title 20.1
Bait Threshold: Over 5 gallons
CWD Zones: Baiting prohibited
Public Lands: All baiting banned
Penalty: Up to $250 fine

Source: State of North Dakota

Full Breakdown

Under authority of NDCC Title 20.1, the Game and Fish Department prohibits placing bait to attract big game on all state-owned, state-leased, and federal lands including National Wildlife Refuges, Waterfowl Production Areas, and US Army Corps of Engineers lands. In CWD-positive deer hunting units, baiting is banned even on private land to prevent disease transmission. Recreational feeding of deer is discouraged statewide and prohibited in designated CWD zones. The Department issues annual proclamations identifying restricted units. Violations apply to bait piles defined as more than 5 gallons of grain, salt, mineral, or other attractants. Local rules may add restrictions but cannot override the statewide CWD ban.

Violations & Penalties

Illegal baiting in restricted units is a class 2 noncriminal offense with fines up to $250 plus loss of hunting privileges and equipment forfeiture.

North Dakota Deer Baiting and Wildlife Feeding Restrictions

Key Facts

Full Breakdown

Violations & Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

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