White-tailed deer are a familiar sight throughout Menomonie. While many people enjoy seeing deer in their neighborhoods and may even want to leave food out for them, a large deer population can also create challenges for residents and our community.

Intentionally feeding deer can encourage them to congregate in an area and continue returning to neighborhoods in search of food. That’s one reason it’s important to let our local deer population find food naturally rather than intentionally attracting them to residential properties.

Under City Code 5-1-4-I, the artificial feeding of white-tailed deer is prohibited within the City of Menomonie. This includes placing salt, minerals, grain, fruit, vegetables, or other food on the ground or in a feeder or other structure for the purpose of feeding deer.

What about gardens and bird feeders?
The ordinance does not prohibit gardens or the cultivation of naturally growing grains, fruits, or vegetables that deer may happen to eat. Bird feeders used for the purpose of feeding birds are also permitted.

Whether you enjoy watching deer wander through your neighborhood or would rather they stay out of your garden, we can all help by not intentionally providing them with food.

Source: City of Menomonie Facebook page