Deer feeding ban effective Feb. 14 in four southeastern Minnesota counties

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A ban that prohibits the feeding of wild deer in Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted and Wabasha counties will go into effect on Monday, Feb. 14. This is part of a comprehensive, long-term strategy to contain or eliminate Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in southeastern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“The purpose of the ban is to reduce the potential for the disease to spread from deer-to-deer by reducing the number of deer concentration sites,” said Dr. Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game coordinator and CWD incident commander. “The disease can spread from one deer to another following nose-to-nose contact, contact with saliva, or other body fluids. By eliminating deer feeding sites we are reducing the potential for the disease to spread.”

The emergency rule makes it illegal to place or have out food capable of attracting wild deer. Those who feed birds or small mammals must do so in a manner that precludes deer access or place the food at least six feet above ground level.

Food placed as a result of normal agricultural practices is generally exempted from this rule; however, cattle operators are advised to take steps that minimize contact between deer and cattle.

CWD is a fatal brain disease that affects deer, elk and moose, but not cattle or humans. The disease was confirmed in Minnesota’s first wild deer Jan. 25.

That discovery has led to implementation of the DNR’s disease response plan, which includes cooperative efforts with landowners to sample 900 deer within a roughly 10-mile radius of Pine Island. This is where the infected deer was harvested by an archer last hunting season.

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